Developer stopped from clearing Al Reem Island mangroves
Abu Dhabi Environment Agency tells developer to provide compensation for damaged areas
A developer has been stopped by Abu Dhabi authorities before clearing around 60,000 m2 of mangroves on Al Reem Island.
The developer was trying to clear the area by approximately 75m in order to improve navigation and landscaping of the Island’s northern channel, said the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), without identifying the company responsible.
Companies need to apply for an environmental permit from EAD before they can start developing or dredging the site of their projects, said Faisal Al Hammadi, deputy executive director, Environment Quality Sector at EAD.
“Working efficiently with the developer, the two teams ceased the mangrove removal operation within a matter of hours. The developer was then asked to submit a mangrove management plan as a mitigation measure, and to provide compensation for the damaged areas which will be used to replant new mangroves in the area,” he added.