Experience beauty of Dubai’s eight nature reserves digitally

DUBAI MUNICIPALITY PLATFORM OFFERS 360-DEGREE VIEWS, TOUR BOOKINGS

Dubai Municipality has launched a digital platform on Dubai’s nature reserves to promote eco-friendly tourism by consolidating all information and services in one easily accessible location.

The eight reserves on the platform are Ras Al Khor wildlife sanctuary, Al Marmoom desert conservation reserve, Jebel Ali wildlife sanctuary, Hatta mountain reserve, Ghaf Nazwa conservation reserve, Jebel Nazwa conservation reserve, Dubai Desert conservation reserve and Al Wohoosh desert conservation reserve.

The service can be accessed on Dubai Municipality’s website by following the link to Dubai’s protected areas.

Detailed information

It offers a comprehensive overview of each reserve, including information on its type, overall area, legal framework, cultural significance, wildlife, and natural habitats, along with the activities visitors can participate in during their visit.

Additionally, the platform offers all the information required to visit these reserves, including visiting hours and instructions, safety precautions, local weather forecasts, a map of the reserves’ locations in Dubai for easy access, and the option to take a virtual 360-degree tour of the international wetland reserves.

The platform also displays everything that Dubai Municipality offers in terms of environmental education within these natural reserves, including activities for visitors, students, and teachers, along with workshops, lectures, and other educational activities.

Schedule tours

Visitors can schedule tours with the reserve guide to explore the reserves and the biodiversity they comprise, in addition to learning about different species of birds during birdwatching sessions.

Similarly, the platform highlights the initiatives and programmes run by Dubai Municipality to preserve the environment in these reserves, such as programmes to manage natural habitats, monitor water quality in the natural reserves, analysis of seaweed, and wildlife management through programmes such as birdwatching, satellite wildlife tracking, and bird recording software to identify the species of birds.

Dubai Municipality is the administrative authority for Dubai’s nature reserves, which cover a total area of 1,297 square kilometres and account for 31 per cent of the city’s total area.

Likewise, three of the reserves — Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary, and Hatta Mountain Reserve — are listed as wetlands of international significance under the Ramsar Convention.

The reserves are home to an array of wildlife, including 342 species of birds, 46 species of mammals, 51 species of reptiles, 315 species of plants, 188 species of fish, and 582 species of invertebrates.