The Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi has announced the start of the grazing season across the emirate, which is scheduled to begin on May 15 and last until October 15.
The primary goal of this initiative is to facilitate vegetation rejuvenation, bolster biodiversity, and strengthen sustainability measures, thereby affording natural pastures the opportunity for regeneration and ensuring their perpetuity for future generations.
This development aligns with the operational framework outlined in Law No. 11 of 2020, which delineates the regulatory framework governing grazing activities within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. These executive regulations, issued by the Authority, aim to standardize grazing practices, safeguard natural pasturelands, and foster the adoption of sustainable methodologies within critical and environmentally sensitive habitats.
Under these regulations, the Authority issues licenses to livestock owners and breeders to manage grazing operations and related activities in Abu Dhabi. Prospective licensees must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being UAE nationals aged at least 21 years and possessing a valid and Authority-approved livestock inventory certificate.
Livestock proprietors and breeders seeking licensure are required to adhere to prescribed guidelines, including furnishing a copy of their identity card along with documentation certifying ownership of livestock registered under the emirate's animal identification and registration system. Additionally, applicants must nominate individuals responsible for the livestock's supervision and care, and provide copies of their Emirates ID for verification purposes.
Licensees have the right to graze within designated open wilderness areas, provided they maintain a minimum distance of two kilometers from reserves, forests, residential zones, military installations, petroleum facilities, and private properties, and refrain from encroaching upon roads or restricted territories.
Furthermore, licensees must adhere to stringent environmental stipulations, including refraining from introducing alien species or harmful substances into grazing locales, refraining from actions detrimental to biodiversity or the indigenous environment, and strictly adhering to prescribed grazing seasons. Additionally, adherence to periods of grazing suspension, as determined by the Authority in collaboration with relevant entities, is imperative to ensure the sustained viability of grazing environments.
These regulations expressly prohibit the use of bicycles, vehicles, or machinery within grazing areas, which may compromise vegetation cover, underscoring the commitment to preserving the ecological integrity of these vital ecosystems.
