How the UAE got to be a nation of nature-lovers
The UAE s Founding Father Sheikh Zayed was a passionate naturalist determined to see his land bloom. Courtesy Al Ittihad
The story of the Arabian Oryx is one of the best examples of the preservation of our natural heritage; a species hunted to near extinction revived through the pioneering initiatives of Sheikh Zayed. Due to his foresight, there are nearly 5,000 Arabian Oryx in Abu Dhabi alone.
Much of Al Ain’s greenery today is attributed to Aflaj, the water channels that are an example of UAE s cultural heritage. Chris Whiteoak / The National