The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) received the “Maturity in GIS Achievement Award” at the recently concluded 10thAnnual GIS Workshop and Exhibition, GISWORX 2015, held in Dubai. This award is given to organizations that foster innovation, and have achieved high maturity in the implementation and use of Geographical Information System (GIS).
EAD was selected by an international panel of judges recognizing the organization’s capability and readiness to utilize spatial data in achieving its business objectives, improving efficiency, and encouraging creativity and product development.
Ahmed Baharoon, Executive Director, Environmental Information, Science & Outreach Management at EAD said: “With over two decades of association with GIS technology, EAD has developed several GIS applications and hosts a comprehensive Environmental Database (EDB) consisting of over 70 environmental data layers. These data layers are being made available to the community and its stakeholders through the Enviroportal (enviroportal.ead.ae)” Baharoon noted.
Baharoon added “We have adopted the latest technologies to better understand our environment and biodiversity, as well as to communicate with our partners and society. The environmental data that we have collected over the years and shared with our stakeholders has enabled us to develop and implement an effective environmental regulatory and policy framework when it comes to wildlife conservation and resource management”.
It is worth noting that in the early 1990s, EAD began investing in GIS technologies to track endangered species in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi such as Falcons, Houbaras, Greater Flamingos, Dugongs, Ospreys, Hawksbill Turtles and Arabian Oryx. The Agency introduced geospatial technology as a way to collect and manage environmental field data, conduct soil inventories, select groundwater aquifer storage and recovery sites, as well as predict spatial distribution of fauna and flora.
The information gathered is used for conservation and management of the species and their habitats, which have enabled EAD to revise monitoring zones/areas, redesign protected areas, revise regulations and modify actions towards the implementation of conservation and management plans for the species.
Besides wildlife management, EAD today utilizes GIS technology for its extensive air and ground water quality monitoring, environmental permitting, emergency management and its field surveying.
In addition, EAD introduced GIS as an educational learning tool started in 2005 when it first conducted training classes for its own environment education officers. The training then extended to include a select group of teachers and students to help them reveal and understand the Emirate’s natural heritage.
PHOTO: Ahmed Baharoon with EADs GIS team after receiving the award.