The Environment and Protected Areas Authority, EPAA, in Sharjah has completed 320 site visits and 136 inspections of protected areas in the first quarter of 2017. As a result of the inspections, there were 86 environmental violations detected, 252 bird attracting devices confiscated and 14 wild and endangered animals seized by the authority’s teams.
Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the EPAA, said, "Under the directives of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah is dedicated to performing all of its tasks in relation to environmental conservation and spreading environmental awareness."
She explained that the site visits, conducted over the three month period, have contributed to minimising wildlife intrusion, while inspections of companies based in wild areas have reduced illegal construction, demolition and waste disposal in these areas, in addition to raising environmental awareness and promoting the concept of sustainability.
"Tours of the desert areas have helped reduce cutting down perennial tees, increase awareness of campers and reduce littering," she said, adding that the EPAA bans the use of trapping devices, which produce sounds to attract and hunt endangered curlews, as well as prohibiting hunting of migratory and wild birds.

Source: WAM