Abu Dhabi's Bu Tinah Island has jumped to number 12 in a competition to be recognised as a new wonder of the world, according to reports.
Thanks to an online campaign by a group of students at the University of Wollongong in Dubai, the island, which lies off the western shores of Abu Dhabi, moved to a higher position since ranking last out of 28 entrants in November.
The contest was organised by the New7Wonders Foundation, a Swiss-based, government-controlled body. It began in 2007 with 440 locations in more than 200 countries.
The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi is also set to launch its own campaign to boost the island's chances in the coming days. Bu Tinah boasts a thriving ecosystem that makes it important for climate change research.
The competition's website describes it as an "undisturbed paradise, Bu Tinah has much to teach mankind about environmental protection and survival." The votes will be tallied with a winner announced in 2011.
asafdar@thenational.ae