The UAE joined the rest of the world like it has been since 2006, in celebrating International Migratory Bird Day, which was adopted by Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals of the United Nations Environment Programme, and observed on 10th May every year.
Muna Omran Majed Al Shamsi, Acting Director of the Biodiversity Department at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, said that this year’s theme is "Their Future is Our Future – A Healthy Planet for Migratory Birds and People."
It is connected to the goals of sustainable development of the UN, and sheds light on the interrelation between people and nature, and more specifically people and migratory birds, as they share the same planet and same limited resources.
She added that while humanity relies on birds in many ways, human activity has a negative effect on bird migration. Hence, the celebrations this year aim to raise the level of awareness on the need for sustainable management of natural resources. This proves that maintaining birds is a critical factor for humanity’s future.
With these celebrations, the UAE stresses the extent of its excellence and its prominent role in the field of protecting biodiversity and facilitating the means to protect migratory birds in specific.
The UAE is considered one of the important routes for bird migration and reproduction. Around 443 species of birds have been reported in the country, with 240 living here and 135 recorded to be present a few times.
She said the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment works on formulating policies to maintain biodiversity by intensifying punishments on arbitrary hunting of birds, as well as land and sea animals. It also seeks to fight illegal trading and encourage specialised authorities in the country to announce more reserve areas that represent a safe haven for nesting and reproduction.
The UAE currently has 43 areas that have been officially announced as national reserves. The competent authorities, in co-operation with the ministry, also work on curbing sea pollution, rehabilitating damaged areas, and initiating programmes to protect fragile environments from urban expansion.
They also work on executing national programmes to maintain endangered species, particularly hawks and bustards, and release them in their natural habitats.
With the slogan "Their Future is Our Future – A Healthy Planet for Migratory Birds and People," the World Migratory Bird Day 2017 on 10th May aims to highlight the interdependence of people and nature, and more specifically people and migratory birds, as they share the same planet and the same limited resources.
As birds journey between breeding and non-breeding sites, International Migratory Bird Day 2017, will celebrate the importance of the places and habitats where they stop to rest and refuel. The art created to represent this event features 11 migratory bird species. Some, such as the Wood Thrush, fly over 2,500 miles (4,000 km) between Central and South America where they winter to the U.S. and Canada, where they will nest and raise young.

Source: WAM