Research

Mangroves are increasingly recognized in the UAE for their role in supporting biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable coastal development. However, conservation efforts have focused primarily on ecological functions, often overlooking the cultural values and community connections that have shaped these landscapes over generations. Drawing on interviews with former fishermen and long-term residents of Al Rams, Ras Al Khaimah, this policy paper explores how mangroves serve as sites of livelihood, family history, local knowledge, and cultural identity. The paper recommends integrating community memory and coastal heritage into mangrove conservation policy to strengthen both environmental and social sustainability outcomes.