Sharjah authorities have issued a stern warning to visitors and off-roaders about unauthorized entry into Mleiha National Park that will no longer be tolerated and severe fines and legal action being enforced to protect one of the Emirate’s most treasured natural and archaeological sites. The move underscores growing emphasis on environmental conservation and compliance with strict protected-area regulations in the UAE.
Why the crackdown? Mleiha National Park’s protected status
Mleiha National Park is not just another desert destination, it forms part of the Al Faya Site, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2025 in recognition of its outstanding archaeological and historical value, including evidence of early human life in Arabia. The park’s landscapes contain rare fossils, stone tools and cultural deposits dating back thousands of years.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi: Mleiha National Park embodies Sharjah’s vision towards sustainability of resources and the historical heritage of the UAE pic.twitter.com/HdoUMweu1I— Shurooq شروق (@_Shurooq) May 1, 2024
