DUBAI, 22 August 2007 — Over the next three years, the UAE Ministry of Water and Environment will focus on reducing the use of groundwater and shift its focus to alternative sources, such as desalination, according to statements made yesterday by Water and Environment Minister Mohammed Saeed Al-Kindi.
While unveiling a three-year plan, which will focus on water desalination, environmental consciousness and developing Emiratis’ skills, Al-Kindi said that the ministry has plans to provide modern irrigation systems for about 1,000 farms and a national plan for the maintenance of dams and the development of existing fallows.
Also, the ministry will increase its groundwater surveillance network to more than 183 wells, increase the number of observation networks by 35 percent and complete the building of 11 freshwater ducts.
The ministry’s plan mirrors the UAE Strategy, launched earlier this year by Mohammed ibn Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE, and ruler of Dubai.
The ministry’s strategy also includes initiatives focusing on environmental security and the development of natural resources to promote sustainable development. The initiatives include environmental inspection, issuance of certificates recognizing environmental performance and fines for violating environmental guidelines.
