Latest news with #Hatta
The National
7 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Building a buzz: How UAE property developers are integrating bees into urban communities
In the mountainous enclave of Hatta, a new partnership between honeybee research centre Hatta Honey and a property firm aims to get landscapes buzzing. The initiative, called Yalla Beena! Preserving the Pollinators of the UAE, brings together Amwaj Development, Green Gardenia Landscaping and the One Hive Group. They have launched a project to reintroduce native bee species, cultivate pollinator-friendly plants and place biodiversity at the core of new developments. 'This isn't about branding,' says Meriem Hammal, a beekeeper and business development manager at One Hive. 'It's about rebuilding ecosystems that urbanisation has pushed to the brink. Pollinators aren't optional. They're essential to life.' Globally, pollinator numbers have plummeted, with climate change, pesticide use and habitat loss driving colony collapses at unprecedented rates. In the UAE, which has recently seen record-breaking temperatures, the impact is particularly stark. 'Last April was one of the wettest on record. This year, it's the hottest. Bees can't adapt that quickly,' says Hammal. 'They get disoriented. Colonies collapse. One day they're thriving, the next, the hive is empty.' Integrating bee-friendly flora The Yalla Beena! project – its name a playful twist on the Arabic for 'Let's go!' and 'bee' – began this year when Green Gardenia adopted three hives of native Apis mellifera bees rescued by One Hive from urban gardens and roadside nests. The hives, each home to about 60,000 bees, were relocated to the Hatta Honey Bee Discovery Centre, where they now support local flora and form the backbone of a wider ecological education programme. What sets this project apart is its integration into the development process. Green Gardenia is redesigning urban landscapes using melliferous plants – which are rich in nectar and pollen – tailored to native pollinators. Amwaj's next residential launch in Dubai will incorporate these bee-friendly plants, alongside monitoring programmes and, potentially, hives placed on site. 'Too often, developers choose landscaping for aesthetic value only,' says Hammal. 'But not all flowers feed bees. We're designing spaces that look beautiful and function ecologically.' Aida Al Shehabi, chief operating officer at Amwaj Development, says the move reflects the firm's broader vision to create communities that are not only intelligently designed, but also environmentally friendly. 'Through strategic collaborations like this one, we are proving that real estate development and ecological stewardship can – and must – go hand in hand.' Bees thrive with the right resources The project reflects a growing shift in the property sector's approach to sustainability. Long criticised for greenwashing and monoculture planting, some developers are beginning to reframe biodiversity as not just a branding tool, but a business imperative. 'There's definitely a trend,' says Hammal. 'We've had interest from hotels, schools and now real estate. But we're selective. We don't want to be a tick box. This has to be real.' One Hive's work spans field research, queen bee breeding, swarm rescue and mentorship programmes. The group also runs school visits and public training, and is launching 100 Hives, 100 Schools – a campaign to embed beekeeping and pollinator education in UAE classrooms. Hammal, a trained vet from Algeria, came to bees by accident. She found herself lost and disillusioned in her third year of studies. Then she met a beekeeper. 'He never went to school. But he was calm, confident, intuitive with the bees. That changed everything for me,' she says. 'I realised these creatures organise themselves better than most human institutions. They sacrifice for the collective. They're endlessly resilient.' That resilience is being tested. As climate change is causing more extreme weather events globally, bees – and the crops they support – face mounting stress. 'They're foraging earlier or later than expected, flowers are blooming at the wrong times, and rain now damages more than it helps,' says Hammal. 'If we don't act, we'll lose them. And if we lose them, we lose our food.' The stakes, she says, are existential. 'Bees pollinate 75 to 80 per cent of our fruit and vegetables. It's not about honey. It's about food security. It's about survival.' UAE developers balancing nature with design Elsewhere in the UAE, developers are starting to respond to the issue. The Sustainable City in Dubai was an early adopter of integrating pollinators into community plans. In 2018, 250 beehives were bought under the My Hive programme to provide residents with organic honey and raise awareness of bees' important ecological role. This year, renowned conservationist Jane Goodall opened a bee sanctuary named after her in Expo City Dubai. It is a haven to more than 30,000 of the insects. Arada's Masaar community in Sharjah is planting 50,000 trees. Aldar's The Wilds project promotes rewilding principles in suburban Dubai. But for Hammal, the benchmark remains integrity. 'The bees can tell if you're faking it,' she laughs. 'They either thrive or they leave.' In Hatta, the hives hum with quiet urgency. Summer is coming and with it, a harsh test of survival. But for now, the bees are working – pollinating the mountain blooms, educating visiting schoolchildren and, perhaps, rewriting the blueprint for sustainable development in the desert.
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Apex court dismisses bid for leave to appeal in HSR lawsuit
PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has dismissed lawyer Mohd Hatta Sanuri's application for leave to appeal in his bid to reinstate a suit over the cancellation of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project. A three-member bench comprising Justices Datuk Zabariah Mohd Yusof, Datuk Abu Bakar Jais and Datuk Hanipah Farikullah unanimously ruled on Tuesday (May 27) that the legal questions posed failed to meet the threshold under Section 96 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964. Delivering the court's decision, Justice Zabariah held that the matter was interlocutory in nature and did not involve any novel legal issue or question of public importance. She noted that the issues raised, specifically those relating to locus standi and justiciability, have been conclusively settled in existing case law. Justice Zabariah further remarked that the court views frivolous legal claims with seriousness and observed that the questions of law submitted were verbose and lacked precision. ALSO READ: Court throws out suit against govt, four others over HSR cancellation "If they (the questions) were drafted well, then maybe we could ventilate,' Justice Zabariah said in dismissing Hatta's application for leave, with no order as to cost. This decision effectively brings to an end Hatta's legal challenge against the government, former prime ministers Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, former minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and former transport minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. Hatta had sought leave to appeal the Court of Appeal's decision on Jan 16 last year which upheld the High Court's ruling that his suit was non-justiciable and disclosed no reasonable cause of action. The High Court struck out the suit on Dec 15, 2023, after allowing the government's application to dismiss the claim. Acting in person and purporting to represent over 32 million Malaysians, Hatta filed the suit in December 2022, seeking to nullify the cancellation of the project and demanding compensation of RM1mil for each Malaysian over its termination. ALSO READ: Appeals court dismisses bid to reinstate lawsuit over HSR cancellation The suit arose from the termination of the 350km HSR project, jointly announced by the governments of Malaysia and Singapore on Jan 1, 2021, following the parties' failure to reach an agreement on proposed modifications before the expiry of the bilateral agreement on Dec 31, 2020. The project had been envisioned to facilitate high-speed travel between the two countries within 90 minutes, inclusive of domestic and shuttle services. Hatta was represented by counsel Mohaji Selamat, while Senior Federal Counsel Donald Joseph Franklin appeared on behalf of the government. – Bernama
Khaleej Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
This community is building a digital South Asian pop culture hub in UAE
Did you know that Jay, Veeru, Gabbar and Thakur, the infallible iconic characters from forever Bollywood blockbuster Sholay (The Amber, 1975), visited Hatta recently in their cutest funky avatar. There were also the star crossed Raj and Simran from the heartwarming Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (The Brave hearted will take away the Bride,1995) along with Simran's father Bauji waiting for a ride in the Dubai Metro; about to live a 'jee ley apni zindagi'(live your life, girl)! I gorged pleasingly into this fun post by Saanjh Dubai pondering how seamlessly these Hindi cinema characters blended with the rocky terrain of Hatta as if it was Ramgarh or with Dubai Metro Station vibe. What was most striking was the matchmaking of Dubai/UAE locations and Bollywood characters. Not a single scene fell out of place. Being an aficionado of retro Hindi cinema myself, I was kind of convinced that this must be by a content team who are not only knowledgeable about the subcontinent's desi culture but also really passionate in reaching its elements beyond their places of birth. Well Saanjh Dubai exactly does that and more; it gives South Asia a cognisant identity for both the Emiratis and the desis alike old and new who have made Dubai and UAE their home. Born out of a sublime experience during a visit to Prithvi Theatre (which was once helmed by actor, producer, Shashi Kapoor, built in memory of his father, the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor), and Prithvi Café Mumbai; Saanjh is a community driven initiative that fosters desi culture, founded by Emirati husband-wife Bader Ali Habib and Sakina Suhail, a couple who have been always fascinated by Indian and Pakistani cultures. Over a free-flowing conversation, Bader shares what went on to the making of Saanjh, their purpose and big dreams for future. Speaking of Saanjh's genesis, he adds, 'It was born when Sakina and I visited Prithvi Café at Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai last year. As we sat reading books, sipping masala chai and sharing keema pav, we found ourselves deeply moved by the conversations unfolding around us. Conversations that were thoughtful, artistic, and rooted in culture. We reflected on how Prithvi Theatre had inspired generations of film and theatre artists,fans. The aura of the space stayed with us, sparking a vision for something similar in Dubai — a place where desi arts, stories, pop culture, and food could come together under one roof.' Bader sounded excited as he opened up about his connect with 'desi' culture. After all, why is reviving and nurturing desi culture so important for him? 'The beauty of the word 'desi' is that it transcends borders, connecting people through shared heritage. Statistically, desis make up over 50 per cent of the UAE's population and have had a presence for centuries. Historical records narrate how spices and silk were imported from India. Indians and Pakistani traders, especially Sindhis and Gujaratis, made their way to Dubai almost five decades ago establishing their shops in Bur Dubai, many of which are still managed by third-generation Indian families. Having grown up amongst them, I see desi community as an essential part of modern Dubai. Saanjh has set on to nurture this desi culture by bringing them under one platform, so we can collectively shape a community anchored in shared pop-culture. There's no better place than Dubai—it's a city where desis from different parts of South Asia and the diaspora thrive and co-exist.' With such a deep rooted history between desis, the UAE's desi culture had sprouted long back. Bader offers a flashback,'Once the expat population grew Icons like Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna, and Feroze Khan became household names among Emiratis. Seizing the opportunity, Indian and Emirati businessmen launched single-screen theatres as early as the 1960s. These cinema halls played Bollywood, Hollywood, and even South Indian language films regularly. By the early 2000s, there were close to a dozen cinema halls dedicated to Hindi films in Dubai itself. Today, with the advent of multiplexes these theatres may have disappeared but Emiratis have held on to their legacy of watching Hindi films and listening to Hindi songs.' It isn't surprising and the bond between the UAE and South Asia has only grown over the years. 'South Asians consider Dubai their home and a place where they can preserve their traditions while being part of a cosmopolitan city representing over 200 nationalities.' One can sense how Saanjh may have come with these funky Bollywood characters in advancing their purpose, creating a recall for the newer generation as well as evoke nostalgia; after all the founders themselves have had a long tryst with Hindi cinema. 'I was fortunate to grow up in the 90s and early 2000s, a golden era that gave us timeless films and unforgettable characters. We wanted to recreate these ever-popular characters in a fun way and plant them in UAE's different locations. To do that we utilised Saanjh's Instagram channel (saanjh_dubai) and our upcoming YouTube platform which are designed to build a digital home for desis in the UAE.' So, how has Saanjh's journey been so far, and what is its goal in the coming years? 'It's been nothing short of inspiring. Our vision quickly resonated with other desis in Dubai, from long-time residents to newcomers. Saanjh has become a community space where people can freely discuss their favourite childhood shows, films, and music while also contributing to the future of desi pop culture through events, screenings, podcasts, and more,' he added. 'So far, we've hosted a talk-show format evening with Piyush Mishra, a storytelling Iftar event with Laksh Maheshwari, and a talent showcase event featuring Mustafa Zahid. All these are members-only events and anybody can become a member of SAANJH by joining our WhatsApp community. Apart from this, we have also hosted a bonfire night at Al Qudra with a resident artist singing unplugged versions of popular Hindi and Urdu songs, as well as a social evening for our members to get to know one another better. Our monthly 'Filmy Guftugu' gathering is another initiative we are proud of. Through this, we bring together select members to share their thoughts on desi cinema's evolution and how Dubai can position itself as a cultural anchor especially as more and more artists now call this city home.' The future has more to offer, Bader reveals, 'Saanjh aims to foster collaboration between Indian and Pakistani artists, showcasing the best of both cultures right here in Dubai. We soon plan to expand into film screenings, theatre productions, panel discussions, podcast sessions, artistic workshops, and more. Our long-term goal is to become the largest desi pop culture community outside of India and Pakistan; the go-to destination for Dubai-based community seeking their desi pop culture fix. Our aim is to position Dubai as the beating heart of the South Asian diaspora and Saanjh a cultural hub with physical space where pop culture is celebrated through gatherings, screenings, workshops, musical evenings, and creative collaborations uniting Indian and Pakistani artistry.' As we bid an adieu over masala chai and Suleimani, I am convinced that the juggernaut dream is in making and its name is Saanjh Dubai.
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: 3 injured hikers in Hatta rescued, transported to hospital
Three Asian nationals were transported to a hospital after getting injured while hiking in the Hatta mountains. The mountaineers suffered from exhaustion while hiking, the National Guard's National Search and Rescue Centre said. The medical evacuation was carried out by the National Guard's National Search and Rescue Center, which responded promptly to the emergency on Tuesday. The National Guard called on mountaineers to adhere to public safety guidelines and follow the necessary preventive measures to ensure their safety. They are slo urged to call the search and rescue emergency line (995) to report any emergency situations that require assistance or intervention.
The National
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- The National
Dubai Police reveals next-generation vehicles joining its fleet
Dubai Police have unveiled the next generation of vehicles that will join their fleet to fight crime and carry out rescue operations. The vehicles were revealed at the World Police Summit at the Dubai World Trade Centre, which opened on Tuesday. They include a custom-built emergency transport vehicle for the police force's training centre in Al Ruwayyah. It is designed to be armed to the teeth with tactical equipment including 60 rifles, 80 pistols, 10 tasers, two protective shields and 60 sound and smoke grenades. All the internal fittings were installed using the original screw points of the vehicle, without cutting or welding. The interior features custom-designed drawers with laser-cut, high-density foam inserts that securely hold weapons in place for maximum safety during transit. The drawers have a load capacity of up to 300kg, and the vehicle has a password-protected entry system. It is made from steel and aluminium to ensure it is strong but still light and easy to drive. Another vehicle on show was a pick-up truck designed for rescue operations in mountain and desert terrain, particularly in Hatta. When roads become impassable, patrol officers can switch to two mountain bikes mounted at the rear to reach remote locations. The vehicle has an armoured underbody, a lightweight raised aluminium bumper, reinforced side steps, and a high-capacity winch at the front that can tow vehicles weighing up to five tonnes. It also features aluminium handrails coated in Line-X, a long-lasting protective layer that enhances strength and resistance to wear for up to 15 years. The vehicle also has a compartment for tools and rescue gear, and an extra battery in case the main power source fails. The features were developed in response to feedback from officers, ensuring the design meets requirements in the field. Both vehicles are set to enter active service after the summit. Also at the summit was the powerful Land Rover Defender HSE P400 which will be the first Defender model to join the Dubai Police fleet. The vehicle was supplied by Al Tayer Motors, the exclusive UAE dealer for Land Rover. Maj Gen Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi, assistant commander-in-chief of operations at Dubai Police, led the launch and reviewed the vehicle's advanced specifications. These include eco-friendly technology, high off-road performance, a 3D surround camera and a remote control emergency system. Maj Gen Al Ghaithi said: 'Integrating high-performance patrol vehicles like the Defender HSE P400 enhances our preparedness and reinforces our ability to maintain safety and security across all terrains in Dubai.'
