Sir Bu Nair Festival highlights importance of the reserve

The event will see three days of festivities offering the public a program full of dynamic activities designed to provide education and entertainment. The festival stresses the importance of highlighting the environmental, tourism, and cultural value and status of the Sir Bu Nair reserve. 

Promote environmental protection practices
Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the High Organising Committee of Sir Bu Nair Festival and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, said: “Throughout its course over the past many years, the festival has established the position of Sir Bu Nair Island, which was included on the UNESCO Pre-World Heritage List in 2012 in recognition of its environmental and cultural importance as the first natural site in the United Arab Emirates. The festival will promote environmental protection practices and the importance of preserving biodiversity, and will attract large numbers of heritage and environmental tourism enthusiasts from inside and outside the UAE."

Al Qasimi added: “The Sir Bu Nair Festival has a distinctive position, and we have been working hard to achieve its many goals which fall in line with the visions and directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah. Among those goals includes the preservation of the cultural and environmental heritage, as well as promoting Sir Bu Nair reserve as an important entertainment and ecotourism destination.”

Great efforts for all strategic partners
Al Qasimi expressed his thanks and appreciation for the role and efforts of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) and all the strategic partners: Sharjah Government Media Bureau, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Sharjah Police General Command, Commercial and Tourism Development Authority, Emirates Environmental Group, Sharjah International Marine Sports Club, Sharjah Institute for Heritage, who are all working efficiently and competently in order to achieve the highest levels of success and improve the festival year upon year. 

A valuable package of heritage activities and programs
On her part, Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, said: “The festival’s 21st edition includes a package of heritage activities and programs, with the aim of highlighting the spirit and beauty of nature associated with the heritage of Sir Bu Nair Island. The island enjoys diversity and wealth of nature, as well as aesthetic values, and is one of the most important marine reserves due to the environmental elements it contains and the nesting site of sea turtles in the Gulf region.”

Al Suwaidi explained: “We are keen to organize and implement many varied activities on Sir Bu Nair Island, the highlight of which is this annual festival. The event is aimed at highlighting the island’s position as an environmental and tourism destination. Our agendas include contributing to introducing the importance of Sir Bu Nair Island locally and internationally, as well as to educating the young generation about the negative effects on human health and the marine environment created by dumping waste.”

Precautionary measures before and during the festival
The Supreme Committee focused on the importance of precautionary measures before and during the festival.  Pre-festival procedures include reducing the percentage of organizers from the committees by 50-60%, reducing the percentage of participants and contestants according to the capacity of the festival site to 50%, distributing sterilizers and masks in the location.

The festival has adhered to all health and safety measures, including social distancing, mandatory mask wearing, distribution of sanitizer across the site, with continuous sterilization, and an emergency clinic has been established.  

Sir Bu Nair Island
Sir Bu Nair Island belongs to the emirate of Sharjah and it is distinguished by its sandy beaches and clear waters, and the richness of its coral and marine life. In 2000, the island was designated a protected area by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah.  

The island is located 60 miles northwest of Sharjah and has an area of approximately 13 square kilometres. It has the advantage of being of international importance and was included in the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat due to its preservation of biodiversity. It was also included in the UNESCO preliminary list of World Heritage sites, due to its acceptance in a memorandum of understanding on the protection and management of marine turtles and their habitats in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia.

The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah seeks to protect the environment and its natural reserves, wildlife and their biodiversity through scientific studies and research. The authority publishes educational awareness material, implements policies for environmental awareness and programs, and launches specialized campaigns in the field of environmental awareness and education.