Shell's Better Environment Awards 2004 Scheme: Abu Saeed Al Khodari
School carry out Gulfa Wadi study
Posted: 20 January 2004
Abu Saeed Al Khodari Joint Secondary School for Boys in Hatta was
awarded a grant to help support an environmental field study under
the Field Study category of the Shell Better Environment Awards
(BEA) 2004 scheme. The field study was carried out at the Gulfa
Wadi in Masfout in Hatta.
Tariq Al Merghani and Mustapha Khalaf, the supervising teachers,
and a group of 10 students started their study of the Gulfa Wadi
in Masfout by contacting Masfout Municipality for details and maps
of the chosen area. They drew a topographical map of the area then
started collecting samples of stones, insects and plants.
"The study area was divided into three main sectors: interior,
middle and external. The interior sector starts from the beginning
of the Wadi and ends with the Gulfa water factory. The middle sector
examines the area where the factory is located, an area rich with
water springs used by the factory. The external sector is dry and
is located behind Gulfa dike and contains many crushing plants,"
explains Mustapha Khalaf.
"Having already completed the tasks of mapping the area,
placing signboards, collecting samples and evidences of the existence
of rocks, plants, birds, reptiles and insects, the field study is
now in good shape.
Our next step is to classify and label all that we found in the
Gulfa Wadi, document our observations and prepare our report.
"The co-ordinators of the Shell Better Environment Awards
scheme have been very cooperative in guiding us through the different
stages of the project," concludes Mustapha.
Abdulla Saeed Sultan, Director of Masfout Municipality, was there
at the Gulfa Wadi, accompanying the team for supervision and information.
He comments, "I think that the Shell Better Environment Awards
scheme is important for the students because many of them are unaware
of the Gulfa Wadi which is part of their country. I believe that
such a study will enrich the students' knowledge about the nature
of valleys and canyons in the UAE.
"Gulfa Wadi was a lively one. In the 1970s, it was full of
water and people were making use of the water of the Gulfa Wadi
in different ways. Furthermore, it was a wealthy source of herbs
and weeds.
"We are grateful to Shell for helping us to reveal the importance
of this part of our country and for making our children aware of
such places. That said, I would like to see other organisations
in both the public and private sectors follow Shell's lead in helping
to keep our environment clean for future generations.
Majid Khalfan, a 15-year old student participating in the field
study, says, "As a member of the team involved in this field
study, I have acquired a lot of knowledge about an important part
of my country. I have learned many new things, such as how to work
in a team, how to undertake a scientific approach to research, how
to write down my observations and how to keep and classify samples.
So, thanks again to Shell for this great initiative."
Hussain Al-Mahmoudi, External Affairs Manager, Shell Dubai, says,
"The Field Study category has been a very popular addition
to the BEA scheme and we think that it is a valuable exercise for
students to get out into the environment and document what they
find in a very professional manner. We are looking forward to receiving
some very interesting projects and wish the schools all the best."
After the completion of the field study, the team from the Abu
Saeed Al Khodari School will submit their reports and supporting
materials to the Shell Better Environment Awards Judging Committee
before
1st March, 2004.
Judging of the BEA 2004 projects will take place in the last week
of March, and will be followed by the Better Environment Awards
prize-giving ceremony in April 2004.
For more information see www.shell.com.
Posted by Richard Price,
Editor Pipeline Magazine
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