Wadi Wurayah.. Why did UNESCO choose it on the World Heritage List?

The UAE has achieved a new achievement in the field of preserving the environment and natural heritage, after the Wadi Wurayah National Park in the Emirate of Fujairah was included on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today, Saturday, becoming the first natural site in the Emirates to gain this global recognition, and the third Emirati site to be registered on the list after the cultural sites previously included.

The listing represents international recognition of the reserve’s exceptional natural value, given its unique biological diversity, rare geological composition, and its importance in protecting many threatened plant and animal species.

Where is Wadi Wurayah Reserve located?

The reserve is located in the Emirate of Fujairah within the Hajar Mountains overlooking the Gulf of Oman. It is considered one of the most prominent natural areas in the country, as it includes valleys, waterfalls, and ever-flowing springs, and is distinguished by its mountainous terrain and environmental diversity.

Why did UNESCO choose it?

The listing decision was based on the reserve’s exceptional natural characteristics, most notably:

• It includes more than 1,099 species of living organisms, including 883 species of animals and 216 species of plants.
• It contains at least 10 species that are globally threatened with extinction.
• It includes about half of the land mammal species and about half of the land reptile species recorded in the UAE.
• It contains one of the largest and best geological exposures of ophiolite rocks in the world, exposing parts of the ancient Earth’s crust.
  

What does it mean to include a site on the World Heritage List?

The listing means that the site has exceptional universal value to humanity, and is subject to international protection and preservation standards supervised by UNESCO, ensuring its preservation for future generations, while enhancing its scientific, environmental and tourism status.

What are the UAE sites included on the World Heritage List?

After Wadi Wurayah was included, the UAE now has three sites on the World Heritage List:

• Cultural sites in Al Ain (listed in 2011).
• Faya Palaeolandscape in Sharjah (listed in 2025).
• Wadi Wurayah National Park in Fujairah, as the first Emirati natural site on the list.
  

Why is Wadi Wurayah of special importance?

The reserve is considered one of the most important environmental areas in the Arabian Peninsula, as it is home to a number of rare animals, such as the Arabian tahr and the lynx (caracal), in addition to types of insects and plants that are found only in limited ranges, making it a natural laboratory open to researchers and scientists.