Fujairah Crown Prince witnesses the signing of this deal to protect the Environment in the Al Bithnah Area
HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, recently witnessed in the Al Rumailah Palace, the signing of an agreement between Etihad Rail, Emirates Nature-WWF, Fujairah Environment Authority and Fujairah Adventures, to implement an environmental conservation and habitat rehabilitation project in Al Bithnah, Fujairah.
The project covers three main pillars including local community support and development, environmental protection and biodiversity conservation, and the preservation of the UAE’s natural heritage.
HH Sheikh Mohammed stressed the importance of preserving biological ecosystems and safeguarding the natural heritage of the UAE, through collaboration between the government, private sectors and local communities, in addition to the implementation of local and national environmental protection legislation.
HH applauded Etihad Rail’s commitment and wider corporate philosophy of being a ‘Good Neighbour’ to local communities through which the UAE’s National Rail network passes.
CSR initiatives
Etihad Rail is working to ensure that rail construction activities do not affect residents’ quality of life but rather enhance it by opening up new opportunities. These are in addition to the job opportunities created by the new vital rail sector and ecotourism opportunities that will follow the development of the UAE’s National Rail network.
The agreement was signed by Mohamed Almarzooqi, Executive Director, Rail Relations, Etihad Rail; Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General at Emirates Nature-WWF; Eng. Ali Qasim, Steering Committee Member of the Fujairah Environment Authority in the presence of officials from the Fujairah Government, Etihad Rail and Emirates Nature-WWF.
“Through this project our aim is to protect, restore and sustainably manage ecosystems to meet biodiversity and societal goals,” remarked Laila Mostafa Abdullatif.
Well on track
Etihad Rail, established in June 2009, has successfully completed Stage One of the network. Stage One is fully operational and was delivered on schedule and within budget. The route spans 264km, transporting granulated sulphur from sources at Shah and Habshan to the export point at Ruwais.
Stage Two links the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia from Fujairah Port to Ghuweifat through Mussafah, Khalifa Port and Jebel Ali Port. Built to international standards, Etihad Rail’s state-of-the-art network will span approximately 1,200 km, acting as a catalyst for economic growth and sustained social development.
Upon completion, the railway will redefine logistics and transport in the region, providing a modern, safe, efficient and sustainable mode of transport that will connect all regions of the UAE to its neighbouring GCC countries, a press release concluded.
