Today's Edition
RAJEEV CHERIAN (ABU DHABI)
With intricate roots firmly placed in saline waters, Abu Dhabi’s mangroves form a veritable coastal defence against environmental hazards as the consequences of climate change intensify in pace and scale. Along the coastline sits Mangrove National Park, comprised of a lush green fortress of the coastal shrubs interspersed by meandering channels of water, standing as a testimony to the capital city’s green convictions.
To become more closely acquainted with the mangroves, visitors and nature enthusiasts can embark on kayaking, paddleboarding, or boat rides, getting a first-hand look into the shrubs and trees, their winged visitors, and Abu Dhabi’s efforts in nature conservation.
At the dock on the edge of the city, visitors wearing life jackets wait patiently to embark on kayaks, and after a safety briefing, paddle through the mangroves. The stroke of the paddle and the humming of the birds come together for an immersive natural experience tucked outside the bustle of the capital.
“Now is the ideal time to explore the mangroves with the high tide. It’s difficult to paddle through the channels when it’s low tide. We have a lot of visitors nowadays,” said Ghassan El Majzoub, a guide offering kayak rentals at the park.
Many birds, especially the heron, love to perch on the mangroves for fishing, El Majzoub told Aletihad, while keeping a watchful eye on the kayakers.
Mangroves are instrumental in protecting the coastline against tidal surges, purifying surrounding water, and absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, offering a vital nature-based solution to address climate change.
Abu Dhabi is home to 85% of the UAE’s mangroves, spanning an estimated 70 square kilometres across the emirate, according to the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), which has planted 44 million mangroves since 2020. Mangrove National Park consists of 19 square kilometres of this total, and is safeguarded by the EAD as part of the Sheikh Zayed Protected Areas Network.
Taking a break at a resting spot along the kayaking course is Biagio from Rome, who is visiting Abu Dhabi with his family over the weekend.
“It’s a wonderful experience. It’s great to spend a few hours in nature,” he said.
