Organised by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), the 20th Sir Bu Nair Festival was launched on Sunday 28th of April with the theme ‘The Sea Is Our Life’. Several government organisations are participating in the two-day Festival, including Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Sharjah Police General Directorate, Sharjah International Marine Sports Club, Emirates Marine Environmental Group and Tilal Properties.
HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council and Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee of the Sir Bu Nair Festival, said, “The 20th Sir Bu Nair Festival coincides with the Year of Tolerance. On these 2 days, we will host a variety of interesting activities, events and programs for all members of the community in Sir Bu Nair Protected Area in order to highlight the island’s spirit, natural beauty and heritage. A tourism destination with diverse natural resources, the island is of environmental significance, and we want the younger generation to connect to the environment and their heritage.”
Sheikh Sultan expressed his thanks and appreciation to EPAA for organising the festival and to the participating organisations that play an important role in the Festival’s success. He also extended his thanks to the media, a permanent partner of the Festival.
HE Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, EPAA Chairperson, said, “Sir Bu Nair’s authenticity and its historical, cultural and environmental significance have been preserved. It was declared a Protected Area by Amiri Decree No. 25 issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. A site of global importance, the island is of interest to international environmental organisations.”
Mrs Al Suwaidi added, “We have been highlighting Sir Bu Nair Island’s uniqueness and environmental, historical and cultural importance for twenty years, and helping to preserve wildlife and protect the marine environment and its resources. The heritage-related competitions, tours and awareness-raising events generate significant interest.”
She explained that EPAA is keen to develop a theme for each edition of the Festival to reflect the Festival’s purpose and content. This island, which is considered one of the most important marine reserves, is a preferred nesting site for sea turtles in the Gulf region.
Sir Bu Nair Island is 110 kilometres north of Sharjah. Sea salt is extracted here and the island is known for its sandy beaches, clear water and rich coral and fish life. Sir Bu Nair Island was listed in the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in order to protect its ecology and rich biodiversity. It was also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Marine Turtles and their Habitats of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia.
