When you think of the UAE, among the first images that will pop into your mind are likely to be towering skyscrapers and the hustle and bustle of sprawling urban metropolises.
However, there is a part of the country that takes pride in being an oasis of trees and greenery.
Al Ain – known as the nation's Garden City – has positioned itself as a place where the planting and preservation of trees is paramount.
It is not uncommon to find new roundabouts and traffic islands there that have been built to ensure minimum disruption to the local ecosystem.
Switching lanes and adjusting your route to accommodate the trees in Al Ain is a common occurrence for drivers, and the abundance of greenery is a source of pride for the community.
Trees are part of life in Al Ain
Although Maha Abdou has been a resident of Al Ain city for 27 years, the respect people have for trees in the area continues to amaze her.
“When I first came to the UAE, specifically Al Ain, I noticed how some roads were built in a certain way to avoid disrupting the tree," said Ms Abdou, who moved to the UAE from her native Egypt.
“It was weird for me at first but when I understood the reason behind it, it made a lot of sense to me.
“I’ve visited a lot of countries but I only noticed this in Al Ain. The trees here in Al Ain really help maintain the weather and humidity, especially in summer."
UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was renowned for caring passionately about desert trees and banned anyone from cutting them down.
Native trees including the sidr, ghaf and samar are protected by law in Abu Dhabi and it is prohibited to transplant, cut down or harm these without official permission.
“People in the UAE respect trees, especially Sheikh Zayed, because when in the desert they used to find shade under the trees,” Mohamed El Dasher, chairman of Dripco Contracting and Irrigation Group in Al Ain, told The National.
“Sheikh Zayed cared about desert trees and trees that suit the climate.
“Trees only get transplanted when permits are granted and even then it's only experts who are allowed to do it because the procedure is so delicate."
Mr El Dasher said the roads in and out of Al Ain were adorned with desert trees that are naturally drought-resistant, crucial in a region where water was scarce.
“These trees also served as a source of food for camels and other animals, with their low-hanging branches," he said.
“As you head from Al Ain to Abu Dhabi, you'll find the trees he selected lining both sides of the road, starting from Al Ain and extending to Qasr Al Maqam.
"Al Ain's beauty is elevated by the presence of trees, which can be found in residential and commercial areas across the city."
Penalties in place to protect trees
The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi has measures in place to protect the natural beauty of communities.
“Any violations against native trees are applied according to the specific location of the tree,” the Environmental Agency of Abu Dhabi told The National. "For instance, if the tree was located inside protected area. the fine reach Dh20,000 [$5,445] per tree, whereas the fine will be Dh10,000 if the tree was located outside a protected area.
“Environmental protection laws and regulations can vary from one emirate to another in the UAE. It’s advisable to adhere to the specific regulations for each emirate."
It said companies involved in construction or development projects should always consult the relevant authorities for guidance and permits.
“Typically, companies are required to conduct environmental impact assessments and propose mitigation measures to minimise harm to these trees," the agency said.
“This may include altering construction plans, creating protective barriers, transplanting native trees, compensate removed trees by planting specified number of tree outside the development area or implementing alternative landscaping strategies.
“The specific protocols and measures can vary, so it's crucial to liaise with the local authorities for precise guidance.”
If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
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Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi
Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE
Sector: Online rental marketplace
Size: 40 employees
Investment: $2 million
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The biog
Name: Maitha Qambar
Age: 24
Emirate: Abu Dhabi
Education: Master’s Degree
Favourite hobby: Reading
She says: “Everyone has a purpose in life and everyone learns from their experiences”
Jiu-jitsu calendar of events for 2017-2018:
August 5:
Round-1 of the President’s Cup in Al Ain.
August 11-13:
Asian Championship in Vietnam.
September 8-9:
Ajman International.
September 16-17
Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Ashgabat.
September 22-24:
IJJF Balkan Junior Open, Montenegro.
September 23-24:
Grand Slam Los Angeles.
September 29:
Round-1 Mother of The Nation Cup.
October 13-14:
Al Ain U18 International.
September 20-21:
Al Ain International.
November 3:
Round-2 Mother of The National Cup.
November 4:
Round-2 President’s Cup.
November 10-12:
Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro.
November 24-26:
World Championship, Columbia.
November 30:
World Beach Championship, Columbia.
December 8-9:
Dubai International.
December 23:
Round-3 President’s Cup, Sharjah.
January 12-13:
Grand Slam Abu Dhabi.
January 26-27:
Fujairah International.
February 3:
Round-4 President’s Cup, Al Dhafra.
February 16-17:
Ras Al Khaimah International.
February 23-24:
The Challenge Championship.
March 10-11:
Grand Slam London.
March 16:
Final Round – Mother of The Nation.
March 17:
Final Round – President’s Cup.
War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
From exhibitions to the battlefield
In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.
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It aims to minimise the impact on the environment by leading by example in its projects in sustainable development and innovation, to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The biog
Favourite Emirati dish: Fish machboos
Favourite spice: Cumin
Family: mother, three sisters, three brothers and a two-year-old daughter
Premier Futsal 2017 Finals
Al Wasl Football Club; six teams, five-a-side
Delhi Dragons: Ronaldinho
Bengaluru Royals: Paul Scholes
Mumbai Warriors: Ryan Giggs
Chennai Ginghams: Hernan Crespo
Telugu Tigers: Deco
Kerala Cobras: Michel Salgado
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VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
The 15 players selected
Muzzamil Afridi, Rahman Gul, Rizwan Haider (Dezo Devils); Shahbaz Ahmed, Suneth Sampath (Glory Gladiators); Waqas Gohar, Jamshaid Butt, Shadab Ahamed (Ganga Fighters); Ali Abid, Ayaz Butt, Ghulam Farid, JD Mahesh Kumara (Hiranni Heros); Inam Faried, Mausif Khan, Ashok Kumar (Texas Titans
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- Reports of President Bashir's resignation and arrests of senior government officials
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