President Sheikh Khalifa tours Ghanada with UAE leaders

The Ruler of Abu Dhabi is pictured touring an area of Abu Dhabi with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed

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President Sheikh Khalifa toured an environmentally protected forest area on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Joined by his brothers Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Khalifa was pictured in a majlis in the Ghanada area of the emirate after touring a natural reserve.

On a table in front of him and Sheikh Mohamed was a tray piled high with fagga, or desert truffles, an elusive local delicacy found in the desert after heavy rains.

After the tour and a briefing on the developments at the protected site, Sheikh Khalifa praised the efforts being made to preserve the country's natural resources, reported state news agency Wam.

He also praised the UAE for creating of a number of nature reserves to protect ecosystems as well as the designation of several special geographic sites.

Sheikh Khalifa said it was important to teach young people the value of protecting the environment, and promoting a culture of conserving natural habitats and ecosystems.

Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed, Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region, also attended the tour.