Al Ain exhibition puts World Environment Day in picture

Endangered animals feature in a photographic exhibition at Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort.

The wildlife photography exhibition at Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort focused on endangered species.

ABU DHABI // The hawksbill turtle glides through turquoise waters in one image, while another captures the powerful Saker Falcon in flight. Both of these animals are classified as endangered and both feature in a photographic exhibition at Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort, focusing on a variety of species in their natural habitats.

The exhibition, organised by the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD), is one of a series of events being held across the Emirates to mark yesterday's World Environment Day, which this year focused on "Many Species, One Planet, One Future", with urgent calls to take action to protect biodiversity. World Environment Day, which was first held on June 5 in 1972, has developed into an annual event to raise environmental awareness and encourage action.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, scientists estimate that between 150 to 200 species become extinct every 24 hours, with much of the blame placed on unsustainable human activities. Dr Rashid bin Fahad, the Minister of Environment and Water, said this year's celebrations in the UAE would focus on raising awareness on the diversity of life in the country, particularly as 2010 was also International Year of Biodiversity.

Habiba al Marashi, the founder and chairwoman of the Emirates Environment Group, said caring for environmental issues should be a "way of life", not just relegated to one day of the year. "It should be weaved into the social fabric," she said. As part of the activities, the group has organised workshops and plans to hold a large event on June 10 to pay tribute to companies, communities and groups that have embraced recycling.

In addition to the photography exhibition in Al Ain, the EAD organised a paper-less day last Thursday. Tomorrow, the EAD will host a seminar on biodiversity, focusing on both global and local challenges. A documentary, The Return of the Arabian Oryx, was released by the group to mark World Environment Day. The film tells the story of the animal and its reintroduction to the wild. * The National