Sharjah Ruler inspects progress of Sharjah Safari in Al Dhaid
Sharjah Safari will contain nearly 50,000 animals, and thus will be the most important environmental tourism destination in the region
His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, on Wednesday, inspected the progress of the Sharjah Safari project, part of Al Bardi Reserve in the city of Al Dhaid.
His Highness began his visit to the safari site by inspecting the main building for the entrance and reception of visitors and dignitaries, which includes a number of facilities whose design took into account the character of African wildlife.
Ater that, the Ruler of Sharjah, toured the project, while listening to Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of Environment and Protected Areas Authority, EPAA, providing a detailed explanation about the project.
The project includes cages for birds and a section for giraffes, 15 of which were released to adapt to the safari, and the crocodiles section that included a group of lakes and surrounding buildings, which provides advanced services that help visitors spend an enjoyable time watching crocodiles. In addition to the lions section, which has completed 90 per cent of its facilities, the elephant section, which took a record in completion time not exceeding three months, and the rhinoceros section.
Sheikh Sultan was also briefed on some of the buildings of the Sharjah Safari Visitors Camp, as well as the visitors’ rest houses and restaurants.
Hana Al Suwaidi indicated that Sharjah Safari would include a distinct group of animals from different African environments, as well as a large natural lake, a picnic area for visitors, and cafes spread around places of live animal shows.
It is worth noting that Sharjah Safari is the largest safari project in the world outside of Africa, with an area of 14 square kilometres and will contain nearly 50,000 animals, and thus will be the most important environmental tourism destination in the region.
His Highness was accompanied during his inspection tour by Ali Bin Shaheen Al Suwaidi, Chairman of Sharjah Directorate of Public Works, Khalifa Musabbah Al Tunaiji, Chairman of the Directorate of Housing, Mohammed Obaid Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Protocol and Hospitality Department, and a number of notables in the city of Al Dhaid.
SHARJAH’S ZERO-WASTE STRATEGY WITH ALTERNATIVE FUEL CONTRACT: Bee’ah, the Middle East’s award-winning sustainability pioneer, and Sharjah Cement Factory signed a long-term contract today for the supply of alternative fuel from Bee’ah’s Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) plant, in line with the UAE’S commitment to promote the use of cleaner fuels and protect the environment.
The agreement bolsters Bee’ah’s efforts to achieve a zero waste-to-landfill target in Sharjah and will result in a reduction in the carbon footprint in the Emirate. It involves the innovative use of commercial and industrial waste as well as mixed household waste from Bee’ahs state-of-the-art waste management complex to develop an even cleaner power source than Recovered Derived Fuel (RDF), another common alternative fuel used in cement factories.
Bee’ah’s supply of the fuel to Sharjah Cement Factory, is powering the entity’s cement factory and reducing the use of traditional fuels. At minimum, 73,000 tonnes will be provided each year - the equivalent weight of over 460 houses.
This translates to 73,000 additional tonnes of waste being diverted from Sharjah landfills and being reused by the UAE’S industries.
Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of Bee’ah, said: “Bee’ah believes in using innovation and creativity to solve the environmental and waste challenges we currently face. As a result of our tireless efforts, we have enhanced our capabilities to offer clean and high-quality alternative fuels to industrial companies in the UAE, and work towards a circular economy in the country. In supporting Sharjah Cement Factory’s sustainability efforts, we are also contributing to making Sharjah the first zero-waste city in the region. Overall, this agreement marks another milestone for Bee’ah, establishing us as leaders in the alternative fuel market.”
Sharjah Cement Factory’s use of SRF from Bee’ah also complies with the UAE government’s objectives to replace 10 percent of current fuel sources with alternative fuels produced by waste treatment to protect the environment and the health and well-being of the people in the UAE.