Water management, reducing the negative environmental impact of quarrying and the promotion of sustainable farming and fishing practices are top priorities for the UAE, said the Minister of the Environment and Water.
Ensuring the sustainable use of scarce water resources is a key goal for the Emirates, Dr Rashid bin Fahad told Al Ittihad, the Arabic-language sister publication of The National.
“We have implemented a series of initiatives and programmes aimed at developing national legislations, standards and work mechanisms for achieving integrated water resources management, improving natural water resources and preserving fresh groundwater in addition to supporting strategic supplies,” said Dr bin Fahad.
In addition to adopting a new agricultural policy, the Ministry of the Environment and Water is revising water tariffs as well as designing a plan to ensure average water consumption reaches international averages.
Data from Abu Dhabi suggests that residents use on between 250 and 550 litres of water per day, in comparison to the international average of 170 to 300 litres.
Dr bin Fahad said the ministry is preparing a draft law to regulate the work of small-scale desalination plants processing groundwater for use in farms. It is also carrying out regular inspections at quarries and crushers to ensure public health and environmental measures are respected.
Last year, a total of 315 field inspections were carried out in the northern emirates, said Dr bin Fahad. Of the facilities inspected, 27 were closed down for periods of one to three months and another 23 facilities were issued warnings.
During the first quarter of this year, the ministry carried out 49 field inspections, including five at night. These resulted in the closing down of one quarry and the issuing of warnings to four others, a decrease from last year when 12 quarries were closed down and another four warned within the same period.
“Such an apparent decrease in the violations reflects the ministry’s constant efforts and successful measures against violating quarries and stone crushers,” said Dr bin Fahad.
The minister also discussed recent regulations issued to manage the fishing industry .
“The ministry has recently issued a series of resolutions on the regulation of fishing as well as the equipment and boats used,” he said.
Cabinet Resolution No. 14 of 2014 exempted fishermen from all ministry service fees, such as registration and removal from register, issuing and renewing boat, captain and crew licences, sale contract legalisation fees and fishing boats mortgage registration and cancellation.
The ministry has also launched an initiative to encourage fishermen by providing them with equipment, such as engines and cranes, at half price. Together with its counterparts in the Ministry of Public Works, it is also redeveloping 24 fishing ports throughout the country. However, fishermen also have a responsibility to observe good practices and environmental laws, said Dr bin Fahad, adding that the federal fishing law is being currently updated.
The Minister also commented on the development of farming in the country. Whereas there were 5,687 farms in the early 1970's, that number has now reached 35,252. The ministry is encouraging farmers to use hydroponics which saves water and can be used to grow cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and fruits like melons and strawberries.
The technique was first introduced in the country in 2009, when there were 50 such greenhouses, compared to 700 at the end of 2013.
Farmers are also encouraged to resort to organic farming to grow chemical-free products. In the past four years, the ministry has provided more than 50,000 tonnes of organic fertilisers, 30,000 bags of cucumber and tomato seeds in addition to 1,500 containers of organic pesticides and other items to more than 10,000 farmers.
“Organic products bear a distinctive mark to enhance consumer confidence,” said Dr bin Fahad. “There are currently 43 certified organic farms and the Ministry is creating new marketing opportunities for organic products in collaboration with competent local authorities to encourage organic farmers.”
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