Mleiha National Park has received the Sustain Sharjah Award in the Destinations category at the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum, recognising its efforts to promote responsible tourism and protect the emirate’s natural and cultural heritage.

The award highlights the park’s sustainability initiatives, including solar-powered infrastructure, reduced single-use plastics and educational programmes promoting environmental awareness.

Solar energy supports the park’s glamping facilities, offices, lighting and water pumps, while surveillance cameras are fully solar-powered.

Non-permanent guest accommodation, designated vehicle routes and managed visitor access also help minimise environmental disturbance.

The park has introduced alternatives to disposable plastic bottles and cutlery, including water refill stations and reusable bottles for staff.

Omar Al Ali, Manager of Mleiha, said: “This recognition reflects our commitment to making sustainability part of how Mleiha operates and how visitors experience it. From solar-powered facilities and reducing single-use plastics to managing access and integrating environmental awareness into our programmes, our focus is on practical actions that support the protection of this landscape. We will continue strengthening these efforts through monitoring, education and collaboration, ensuring that tourism contributes to preserving Mleiha’s natural and cultural heritage.”

Environmental awareness is also incorporated into interpretive tours and workshops covering archaeology, ecology, geology and astronomy, highlighting Mleiha’s significance within the Faya Palaeolandscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Looking ahead, the park plans to expand environmental monitoring through ecological surveys and establish energy, water, waste and carbon baselines. These measures will guide future conservation initiatives and improve resource efficiency, supporting its long-term sustainable tourism objectives. -TradeArabia News Service