Post by : Badri Ariffin

Following directives from Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has officially kicked off the 2026 camel grazing season. The season is set to operate from April 22 through October 15.

Established under Law No. (11) of 2020, this season aims to regulate grazing activities in the emirate, ensuring the preservation of natural pastures, fostering sustainable resource use, and maintaining camel grazing as an essential cultural heritage.

EAD will oversee the law's enforcement in conjunction with relevant authorities, striving to strike a balance between environmental sustainability and community needs.

Eligible applicants can easily secure a grazing licence via the TAMM platform, with the initial fee set at AED 250 and renewals costing AED 150.

To qualify for a licence, candidates must:

• Be a UAE national
• Employ a camel ranger aged 18 or older
• Possess a valid livestock inventory certificate sanctioned by the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority

License holders are obligated to adhere to specified rules while grazing camels. They must graze solely in open desert areas and maintain a distance of two kilometres from designated protected or sensitive zones like nature reserves, forests, urban areas, roads, and military or petroleum sites.

Camels must be supervised by a ranger at all times, and grazing should occur only during the licensed period.

Additionally, several environmental safeguards are in place, prohibiting camel owners from:

• Transferring their licence
• Introducing harmful species or materials
• Damaging vegetation through cutting, burning, or uprooting
• Using vehicles or machinery that may harm the ecosystem
• Encroaching upon protected areas
• Leaving behind waste or implements in grazing regions

These regulations aim to safeguard biodiversity and ensure the enduring health of natural grazing habitats in Abu Dhabi.

EAD emphasizes the crucial role of camel owners and breeders in adhering to these regulations. Their collaboration is vital for environmental conservation, the preservation of cultural practices, and the encouragement of sustainable grazing throughout the emirate.

#Global News #UAE News #Abu Dhabi News #Abu Dhabi