Sharjah: His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, halted the implementation of a decision by the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) to close the citizen project “Abu Hamad” in the city of Kalba, a tourism boat project, which the department had issued due to propellers of the boats posing a threat to the safety of rare turtles in the lake.

His Highness undertook to replace the boats with others that operate without propellers and are designed for such areas that contain wildlife. He also announced that “Above the Clouds Rest House” will be inaugurated at the end of this year or the beginning of next year, God willing.

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, said during a telephone interview on the programme “Direct Line”, broadcast on Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, with Mohamed Hassan Khalaf, Director General of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, in response to the citizen Abu Hamad, who explained during his call that he owns a tourism boat project in Kalba and that the SEDD had decided to stop the project because it harms the turtles in the area, expressing his insistence on continuing his project: “We reassure our son Abu Hamad and we will help him; and we say may God compensate you for what has happened to you; and we will do something beautiful for you, as we will provide you with boats used in areas where these animals live. These boats do not rely on propellers for movement in the water, but operate like jets. If we find ready-made boats with these specifications, they will be a gift from us to our son Hamad; and if not, we will prepare them for him. These boats allow their users to pass among these living creatures and nature. We tell him thank you, you have the desire to continue your work and we do not want you to lose. This is the beauty of Kalba: to sail in a boat in the midst of mangroves and trees. We also tell him not to play the radio or make any disturbance while you are in this place, because these living creatures have their own world; even the small bird listens to its mother’s call to go to her. They have their own language and life that deserves protection. This is their environment and their kingdom, and man is a stranger to them, and the stranger must respect the nature of the place and its living creatures.”

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah added: “We do not sacrifice these areas and lands, as they contain environmental life, so the living creatures present must be preserved. We have turtles entering the lake as if it were a hospital, including injured ones, those with amputations, and various other injuries, because these turtles cannot see the propellers of boats and escape from them. As we note, the other side of the lake is a rocky mountainous area, and there is a flat land to the right of the lake, and now the contractor is working on removing all the rocks in the rocky area to plant it. In this way we beautify the scenery, because the corniche includes beautiful seating areas, and we want those sitting there to see a beautiful view, not rocks.”

He continued: “Also at the Kalba waterfront project, near the flagpole, there is at the end of this area a channel that extends to connect this side with the other side, which includes a winding passage shaped like a snake, to allow water movement. In this area there is a patch of land with salt where no life exists and which emits a foul smell, and it is now being completely cleaned. The most beautiful thing about this lake is that people enjoy boating from the flagpole area or from the station located at the Fishermen’s Rest at the creek entrance.”

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah said: “We preserve natural places in the Emirate and protect them. They had requested the establishment of a large hotel on Kalba beach, and I refused because turtles live in this area. Nature protects them through this water strip. At Kingfisher project there is a type of turtle whose females only lay eggs in this place. They suggested building the hotel on a small area only, and I also refused, because these turtles flee from noise. This is how I deal with nature and wildlife: I develop and build, and whoever does so does not destroy.”

He concluded with good news for those asking about the opening of “Above the Clouds Rest House”, saying: “We would like to announce that ‘Above the Clouds Rest House’ will open at the end of this year or the beginning of next year; it is almost ready and only minor works remain, as planting has begun to complete the green areas and trees, and finishing touches and pavements are also underway. The opening day will, God willing, be a beautiful day, and people will enjoy its pleasant atmosphere. There is not a place in the Emirate of Sharjah that I do not think about.”