Sharjah island reserve to be open for 2 days
Sir Bu Nair Festival will see opening of scientific research centre and planting of saplings under water
Leisure-seekers will get a rare chance to visit the protected Sir Bu Nair island in Sharjah during the Sir Bu Nair Festival on May 10-11.
The nature reserve is open to the public once a year. Activities include scuba diving, sightseeing, boating, dhow racing and heritage shows.
Visitors must arrange their own transport by sea to the waterdrop-shaped island as no passenger or tourist service exists for the island, located around 120km northwest of Sharjah.
The Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) is organising the 19th edition of the festival themed ‘The Sea Is Our Life’.
Shaikh Sultan Bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, chairman of Sharjah Media Council and chairman of the High Organising Committee of Sir Bu Nair Festival, told Gulf News that this year will witness the launch of a scientific research centre and planting of fruit and vegetable [plants] under water to see how they affect corals.
Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, EPAA chairperson, told Gulf News: “Sir Bu Nair is very important ... Coral aquaculture helps restore coral reefs and maintain sustainable marine ecosystem.”
Al Suwaidi was speaking on the sidelines of a press conference held at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday to announce the details of the festival.
The festival aims to promote the tourist and environmental importance of Sir Bu Nair Nature Reserve.