Wadi Wurayah
Tucked away in the Hajar Mountains of Fujairah is Wadi Wurayah, a precious natural asset of over 220 sq.km, maintaining one of the last freshwater sources in the Middle East. This fragile and unique ecosystem is home to numerous rare, endangered and endemic species.
In 2009 under the Emiri Decree No. 2 of 2009 issued by H.H Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, Wadi Wurayah was declared the first Mountain Protected Area in the UAE. Managed by Fujairah Municipality’s Wadi Wurayah team the national park is located in the Hajar Mountains, which extends from the Sultanate of Oman in the south and ends at the Strait of Hormuz in the north, and extends along the eastern coast of the Emirate of Fujairah.
Wadi Wurayah gets its name due to the presence of the reeds which are known locally as “Warrah”. The reeds are spread in areas that have the presence of water throughout the year, and are more intense near the ponds and streams that are permanent source of water in Wadi Wurayah.
The Wadi Wurayah catchment basin covers an area of 129 sq.km and is the primary source of freshwater. The area has been used by the community for thousands of years due to the availability of fresh water. It is the local haven for rare and endangered species, which are an important part of the natural heritage of the United Arab Emirates.
Wadi Wurayah lies within a priority WWF Global 200 Ecoregion (Ecoregion 127, Arabian Highlands and Shrublands) and shelters a rich diversity of rare and endangered mountainous and freshwater habitats and species and is classified as one of the most distinctive natural habitats on Earth. The Wadi Wurayah is one of the few freshwater catchment basins that has remained intact in the United Arab Emirates in the Emirate of Fujairah.
Fujairah Municipality is on the forefront of conserving this natural treasure under the guidance of H.H Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah and H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah as well as support of both local and international partners.
After initial baseline surveys from 2006 to 2009 when most of the basic studies were conducted to determine the biodiversity and natural content. Wadi Wurayah was declared as the first mountain protected area in the United Arab Emirates according to Law No. 2 of 2009 issued by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah.
By 2010 Wadi Wurayah was announced as wetland of international importance according to the Ramsar Convention, to be the site number 1932 internationally and Site No. 2 on the level of the United Arab Emirates after the Ras Al Khor protected area in Dubai.
Building on more studies and field work by 2013 Wadi Wurayah was declared national park and became an area of important conservation efforts. In June 2018 Wadi Wurayah was declared as Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program making it the 2nd reserve in UAE after Marawah Biosphere Reserve in Abu Dhabi. It is also an Important Bird Area (IBA) according to birdlife international.
Why is this area so important? It’s all in the land The geological structure of the area and the hydrogeological characteristics of the rocks gave them the ability to store underground water that feeds many permanent springs and streams throughout the year.
And with water comes life Wadi Wurayah is a haven for some of the rarest species found in the United Arab Emirates providing refuge from this harsh climate. These species are of ecological importance to the Arabian peninsula and the world. Over the past years, surveys have revealed to us that there are:
13 species of mammals such as Caracal, Indian Crested Porcupine, Blanford Fox and Brandt’s Hedgehog
• 94 species of birds such as Bonelli’s Eagle, Eurasian Kestrel, Pallid Scops Owl, Hume’s Wheatear, Bay backed Shrike
• 15 species of reptiles such as Oman Sawscaled viper, Wadi racer, Jayakar Lizard and Sinai Agama
• 2 species of amphibian Dhofar Toad and Arabian Toad
• 2 species of freshwater fish Garra barraeimae and Arabian Killifish
• 208 species of Plants including the rare wild orchid
• 74 family of terrestrial invertebrates (65 species of them new to the country and some of them new to science)
• 24 species of dragonflies.
The area is also a rich region for local heritage in general, whether Wadi Wurayah National Park or its surrounding areas where Al Bidiyah Mosque of the most important archaeological sites near the park is located being the oldest mosque in the United Arab Emirates.
So far more than 70 sites including ancient settlements, cemeteries, tombs dating back to the era before Islam, porcelain, the inscription on the rock have been identified, this goes on to show the area holds an importance to not just wildlife but to people as well who called this place home and lived here for centuries.
Sami Ullah Majeed
Park Ranger Wadi Wurayah National Park
9777 Fujairah
Photos supplied: Sami Ullah Majeed
For more amazing photos and facts follow Sami on Instagram: one_explorer
This article was published on the Fujairah Observer magazine 2020 Summer Issue.
For reading the full digital magazine please click on the link below:
https://www.fujairahobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Summer2020-2.pdf
