#RameshMenonAbuDhabi
Sree Koodalmanikyam Ulsavam 2020 – Block Your Calendar
Block your calendar 4-14 May, 2020 Sree Koodalmanikyam Temple Festival 2020
Opening of the exhibition – “Sheikh Zayed and Europe: a Journey”
Opening of the exhibition – “Sheikh Zayed and Europe: a Journey” at the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi.
Under the patronage of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Delegation of the European Union to the UAE, is organising an exhibition titled ‘Sheikh Zayed and Europe: a Journey’ in celebration of the Year of Zayed.
The exhibition will take place at The Founder’s Memorial Abu Dhabi Corniche, on 25th November until 31st December, 2018 and it is now open to the public.
The exhibition aims to commemorate the legacy and leadership of the founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It also aims to highlight his local, regional and international accomplishments and his values of tolerance, giving, coexistence, loyalty, patriotism, volunteerism and humanitarian work.
The Founder’s Memorial is a permanent national tribute dedicated to commemorating the life, legacy and values of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE.
Example of trust and safety through Elephants and mahouts
See the trust and confidence shown here. A mahout taking the elephant back after a temple festival. Attitude and Respectforeachother is also another element. Thought of adding my safety campaign to it too. #StartEarlyDriveCarefullyReachSafely.
Visit Al Wathba Wetland to Click & Win
Several times we go far away to see beautiful places and subjects. Many times we forget to visit the natural beauty which is close to us. Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in Abu Dhabi is one such place that UAE residents and visitors should never miss to visit.
Al Wathba is globally recognized as a national and regional hotspot for scientific research and contributes to developing the global scientific knowledge on wetland ecology and the biology of breeding resident and migratory birds of the UAE, including the flagship species, the Greater Flamingo. The reserve supports a rich array of wildlife and many globally and locally threatened wetland species. The reserve is one of the first protected areas in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the first to be declared as a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The reserve supports a rich array of wildlife and many globally and locally threatened wetland species. Since 2011, flamingos have regularly bred in Al Wathba.
Total has extended its collaboration with EAD through a new partnership to protect and develop Al Wathba Wetland Reserve. The objectives of this partnership is to support the agency in its efforts to protect the wetlands of the Abu Dhabi region.
Environment Agency Abu Dhabi has launched Al Wathba photography competition to win a prizes up to AED 24,000. Starting from now to the 30th of April, 2017. You are encouraged to participate in it.
Al Wathba Wetland Reserve was established in 1998 by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It was the first place in the Emirate to be designated for protection by law and was declared a Ramsar site in 2013. This means that the site has been recognized by the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance and joins a list of over 2,000 other internationally recognized wetlands around the world.
Al Wathba Wetland Reserve covers a total area of five square kilometers, comprising wetlands, sabkhas (salt flats), fossilized sands and dunes.
Despite its relatively small size, it simply teems with life. You will discover an amazing diversity here, including several endangered species who have made this their home and found shelter, protection and nourishment.
The presence of so many different habitats and types of vegetation within one compact area has attracted many different forms of life. More than 250 species of birds have been spotted, along with an abundance of aquatic life, as well as 37 plant species. Al Wathba also features a rich variety of dragon flies and damsel flies.
But its greatest and most spectacular attraction is, of course, its flamingo population. When these migratory birds fly in to spend autumn until spring here, as many as 4,000 can be counted. Even when the majority return to Central Asia for the summer months, they still leave behind a resident population which can be seen all year round. In July 2013, the Greater flamingo colony successfully hatched 231 chicks at Al Wathba.
When to visit?
Since Al Wathba Wetland Reserve is an ecologically sensitive area, visiting hours and days are limited.
The reserve is open for public on Thursdays and Saturdays from 8.00am to 2.00pm and for schools on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
What will you find there?
Recent on-site construction has made Al Wathba more visitor-friendly including a bird hide that provides easy, close-up viewing.
There are also two clearly marked walking trails, of one and a half and three kilometers respectively, which give great views of the flamingo colonies.
What species can be seen there?
There are hundreds of bird, plant and other species to be seen at Al Wathba – these are just some of them. To get more information, click on the name of the species that interest you.
– Greater flamingo
– Black winged stilt
– Spiny tailed lizard
How Do you Get There?
The reserve is squeezed between Baniyas City, Musaffah, and the Abu Dhabi Al Ain Truck Road.
AL WATHBA PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
Spread the word. IT’S BACK! The “Al Wathba Photography Competition” is back for a third round starting from November 6th, 2016 to April 30th, 2017.
Snap an amazing photo and participate in the “Al Wathba Photography Competition”.
The competition will have two categories this year amateur photographers and professional photographers. Participants will get the chance to participate with one photo.
The reserve is open for the public on Thursdays and Saturdays from 8.00am to 4.00pm.
To participate in the competition, follow us on our Instagram account (@EAD_Community):http://instagram.com/EAD_community
Upload the photo with the hashtag: #capturealwathba
As a caption :“Participating in the competition”
Please read the terms and conditions of the competition. By participating, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions, the Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi will not be held responsible if the terms and conditions were not followed. All the photo that are submitted by participants in the competition will be owned by EAD and will be evaluated and uploaded with the list of all participating photo’s.
Prizes worth AED 24,000 in the forms of vouchers:
2 Categories:
Professional photographers:
First place winner – 6,000 DHS
Second place winner – 5,000 DHS
Third place winner – 4,000 DHS
Amateur photographers:
First place winner – 4,000 DHS
Second place winner – 3,000 DHS
Third place winner – 2,000 DHS
A team of qualified judges will evaluate the photos and choose the winning photos. The winners of the competition will be announced in a special event.
Best wishes to all participants.
To know more details + Click here to visit the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve website.
Photo credit: Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi. Text source: Al Wathba Wetland reserve site
Traffic fines at the airport
Your report, Forcing UAE expats to pay traffic fines before travelling could ‘change behaviour’ (August 1), shed light on an important issue.
I hope the recently implemented removal of discounts to speeding fines and the new suggestion to make it mandatory to pay the fine before exiting the country will bring a fear factor in the minds of those who violate traffic rules.
Generally, those who pay up diligently have a fear for themselves and other road users and comply with the rules.
What is yet to be experienced as a result of these new moves are behavioural changes from those who seldom travel outside and do not pay up.
I sincerely wish that this group of reckless drivers becomes a minority on our roads. Safe road sense must prevail if we are going to have fewer traffic accidents and avoid unnecessary deaths.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Letters to the Editor/The National:
Forcing UAE expats to pay traffic fines before travelling could ‘change behaviour’
Changes to UAE Health Insurance Policy will reduce misuse
The facts provided by Dr Samih Tarabichi highlights the scenario that existed. With flexible insurance options medical users could be manipulated as detailed by him and unwarranted surgical and medical treatment conducted. However, this may not be the case in future, with the recent changes to health insurance policies for medical treatment, with some category patients may have to even pay up to 50 per cent of their insurance premiums. Whatever said and done, the facilities provided by authorities should not be misused.
Letters to Editor/The National:
Knee operations for UAE’s elderly ‘expensive and unnecessary’
Stopping speeders
Stopping speeders
The move by Abu Dhabi Police to remove the discount on traffic tickets will give more strength to reinforce the traffic safety plan drawn up by the Abu Dhabi municipality and the Urban Planning Council (‘Abu Dhabi Police to stop discount on traffic fine’, Gulf News, July 25). It should also reduce accidents and traffic deaths. The method of giving a discount on traffic fines, especially speeding fines, was not welcomed by many as people remain relaxed even when fined. A system that could be introduced to gain more control on speeding may be to have a fine system that raises the fines with each ticket.
From Mr Ramesh Menon
Abu Dhabi
Letters to Editor / Gulf News on:
Abu Dhabi Police to stop discount on traffic fine
Solar Impulse flight was a big achievement
The touchdown of Solar Impulse 2 was a proud moment for Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the energy industry worldwide (Solar Impulse 2 lands in Abu Dhabi, completing first zero-fuel flight around the world, July 25).
Congratulations to Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg and the entire team for the success of this amazing journey of 40,000 kilometres without fuel.
The world has changed vastly since the beginning of this journey, in terms of energy outlook and utilisation.
Even if one takes a UAE-only perspective, there has been a lot of change. We have new ministries and departments to harmonise energy production and produce better outcomes. The UAE is setting a trend.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
On the news:
Solar Impulse 2 lands in Abu Dhabi completing first zero-fuel flight around the world
Photo Speaks: Unite for peace and harmony
World need peace and harmony. Keep a strong vigil. Stay united. Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu,
Mind Speaks: Education
Mind Speaks: Education
For Some, school and education is still a set of long hurdles. However, there is no easy way to learning!
ClicksandWrites 
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