Wadi Wurayah National Park has signed a new partnership with Stern Business School of New York University to develop a robust business plan for the park, in celebration of the UAE environment day.

The partnership, which includes Fujairah Municipality and EWS-WWF, will anticipate the future success and prosperity of this place of natural heritage, and its contribution to the country’s Green Economy vision, said a statement.

Mohammed Saif Al Afkham, manager of Fujairah Municipality, said: “We welcome this collaborative partnership which will support the development of the first national park in the country, according to best practice and high standards.

“We need a good business plan to ensure the sustainability of the project; and this collaborative approach will help Wadi Wurayah National Park in Fujairah become a haven where future generations can experience and enjoy the unique natural heritage of their forefathers.”

Ida Tillisch, director general at EWS-WWF, said: “We are thrilled to announce that some of the world’s brightest people will be helping us develop this critical component, essential for achieving the long-term success in Wadi Wurayah National Park.

“To many, Wadi Wurayah may appear to be a barren landscape at first sight, but we are confident that it will offer tranquillity to its visitors and leave them in awe of the fascinating and endangered species that make this fragile and arid environment their home.

“We therefore extend our gratitude to Stern Business School for lending their expertise and experience to this project; and for sharing our vision in the importance of the wadi’s conservation as an integral and unique part of Fujairah and the United Arab Emirates’ natural heritage”.

Characterized by its high quality fresh water resources, Wadi Wurayah is home to a number of rare and endangered flora and fauna.

It is anticipated that through this partnership between public, private and non-profit entities, and a strategy to ensure the UAE’s first national park is financially sustainable in the future, will greatly benefit future conservation efforts in the Wadi.

Five top MBA students have been selected to work on the project as part of the coursework at Stern Business School during the spring semester this year.

The students will visit Wadi Wurayah and partake in interviewing key stakeholders in February to gain a greater understanding of the multi-dimensional business plan that will need to be created for the park. They will also have the chance to join the Wadi Wurayah National Park conservation team to conduct field research.

Jamie Rose Tobias, executive director of NYU Stern’s Office of Student Engagement, said: “Our partnership with the WWF goes back many years, and our MBA students have consulted with them on US projects with great success.

“We’re delighted to extend this partnership to such a meaningful initiative in the UAE.  We are particularly excited that we also have the opportunity to engage a faculty advisor from NYU Abu Dhabi, who will contribute an important local perspective and offer strategic guidance to our MBA student team.”

The partnership is also supported by a well-renowned management consultancy firm that will assist in developing the business plan for Wadi Wurayah National Park, the statement added. - TradeArabia News Service