Sharjah Ruler establishes Mleiha National Park

H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, issued Emiri Decree No. 16 of 2024, for establishing the Mleiha National Park in the Emirate of Sharjah.

The Decree stipulated that “Mleiha National Park” shall be established in Sharjah, and its geographical boundaries shall be in accordance with the attached map. The park’s management and organisation shall be affiliated with the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority “Shurooq”, and the park’s name shall be approved in English as “Mleiha National Park”.

The Decree also stipulated that activities and actions that would prejudice the aesthetic value of the park are prohibited, in general, and in particular the following are prohibited:

1. Hunting, transporting, or taking any organisms or organic materials.

2. Damaging or destroying geological or geographic formations or areas that are considered shelter to animal or plant species or for their reproduction.

3. Pollution of soil, water or air.

4. Military manoeuvres and shooting training.

5. Cutting or destroying trees or plants, or eroding the soil.

6. Leisure and entertainment activities or sports that may kill, harm, or negatively affect wildlife.

7. Establishing buildings or facilities, constructing roads, operating vehicles or means of transportation, or carrying out any agricultural, industrial, or commercial activities in the park except with a permit from the competent authority in the emirate in accordance with the conditions, rules, and procedures determined by a decision of its president.

8. Anything that might disturb the natural balance of the park and its aesthetic value.

According to the Decree, activities, actions, or works in the areas surrounding the park that affect its aesthetic value are not permissible except with a permit from the competent authority and without prejudice to any penalty stipulated in any other legislation. Anyone who violates these provisions shall be punished with the administrative penalties stipulated in the table attached to this Decree.

The Decree also stipulated that, without prejudice to what was stipulated in Article (6), anyone who violated the provisions would bear all compensation and costs of removing the damage and effects resulting from the violation, which is determined by the competent authority.

Employees approved by the competent authority and by a decision from the Minister of Justice in accordance with Article (35) of the Federal Criminal Procedure Law issued by Federal Decree Law No. 38 of 2022 shall have the status of judicial control officers in proving the violations of the Decree and other regulations and decisions issued pursuant to it. This is within their jurisdiction.

According to the Decree, the competent authority is responsible for managing the park and taking the necessary administrative measures regarding coordinating the cooperation mechanism with the municipal council and the competent municipality to organise the park’s management. It cooperates with the Sharjah Police General Command in controlling legal violations within its boundaries, and the head of the competent authority issues the necessary administrative decisions for this purpose.