Executive Council Chairman's Resolution No. (73) of 2015
Regarding the Regulation of 'Ezab' Affairs
We, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince, Chairman of the Executive Council,
- Having reviewed Law No. (1) of 1974 regarding the reorganization of the governmental apparatus in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and its amending laws.
- And Law No. (13) of 2005 concerning the organization of grazing in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, as amended by Law No. (8) of 2007.
- And Law No. (9) of 2007 concerning the establishment of the Department of Municipal Affairs.
- And the Executive Council Chairman's Resolution No. (58) of 2009 regarding the reconstitution of the committee for the distribution and planning of areas suitable for 'Ezab'.
- And based on the proposal submitted to and approved by the Executive Council.
We have issued the following Resolution:
Article (1)
In the application of the provisions of this Resolution, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings assigned to each, unless the context otherwise requires.
| The Emirate |
: The Emirate of Abu Dhabi. |
| The Executive Council |
: The Executive Council of the Emirate. |
| The Department |
: The Department of Municipal Affairs. |
| The Concerned Municipality |
: Abu Dhabi City Municipality, Al Ain City Municipality, the Western Region Municipality, or any municipality that may be established in the future in the Emirate. |
| 'Ezbah' |
: A leased plot of land serving as a shelter for breeding or producing permitted animals, or for establishing sports, social, service, recreational, or heritage tourism activities. |
| 'Ezab' Complex |
: A group of 'Ezab' established in an organized manner in a single location. |
| Breeding 'Ezab' |
: A designated and leased plot of land used for breeding specific types of animals for the purpose of reproduction, production, use in sports, or to meet various social needs. This primarily includes 'Ezab' for breeding camels and sheep, and other animals may be raised in addition to the primary species specified by the competent authorities. |
| 'Ezab' for Racing Camel Care |
: A designated and leased plot of land for the purpose of caring for racing camels (Hijn) designated for the sport of camel racing. |
| Grazing 'Ezab' |
: A designated and leased plot of land for the purpose of confining animals in specified and licensed grazing areas by the competent authorities for a known period of time in accordance with applicable legislation, particularly the aforementioned Law No. (13) of 2005. |
| Seasonal 'Ezab' |
: A designated and leased plot of land as an 'Ezbah' for establishing sports, social, service, or recreational activities from the beginning of October until the end of April each year, unless circumstances dictate otherwise. This includes 'Ezab' for camel insemination, camel services, and social, sports, and recreational activities. |
| The Competent Authorities |
: Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority, and Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council. |
| Commercial Animal Production Projects |
: Projects established in 'Ezab' licensed to engage in commercial animal production for the purpose of animal production or reproduction. |
Article (2)
All 'Ezab' in the Emirate are considered leased lands for the purposes specified in this Resolution. The Department shall issue a unified lease contract for each category of 'Ezab' in the Emirate after the approval of the Executive Council, provided that the rental price per square meter for the 'Ezab' categories shall be in accordance with the schedule attached to this Resolution.
Article (3)
The Department and the concerned municipalities, in coordination with the competent authorities, shall undertake the following:
- Classify all current and future 'Ezab' in the Emirate according to the categories mentioned in Article (1) of this Resolution.
- Propose suitable areas for leasing 'Ezab' along with their service facilities, and submit them to the Executive Council for approval.
- Register, document, and lease all 'Ezab'.
Article (4)
- It is prohibited to establish commercial animal production projects in any 'Ezab' except for Breeding 'Ezab'.
- It is prohibited to use 'Ezab' for purposes other than those for which they are licensed.
Article (5)
'Ezab' lessees may construct residential or service facilities and structures for animal breeding after obtaining the necessary license from the Department, in accordance with the following:
- Category of Breeding 'Ezab' and 'Ezab' for Racing Camel Care.
a. Fences and all types of pens.
b. One rest house and one hospitality majlis per 'Ezbah'.
c. Construction of service facilities for animal breeding and housing for 'Ezbah' workers.
- Category of Grazing 'Ezab' and Seasonal 'Ezab':
Use of mobile or temporary homes or tents for housing or hospitality purposes, and the erection of temporary shelters and fences for animals.
Lessees of all 'Ezab' categories are obligated to the following:
- Remove any structures, facilities, fences, tools, or any other waste from the land allocated to them as an 'Ezbah', and restore it to its previous condition before the lease, unless the concerned municipality agrees to keep the new constructions upon the termination or non-renewal of the lease contract.
- The built-up area of rest houses, service facilities, and workers' housing in the 'Ezab' shall not exceed 15% of the total area of the 'Ezbah'. Facilities used for animal production projects are excluded from this.
- The Chairman of the Department or his authorized representative may cancel the lease contracts of violating 'Ezab' after giving their lessees an appropriate period to vacate. The lessee has the right to object to the cancellation decision before the Chairman of the Department within (30) days from the date of notification of the cancellation decision.
Article (6)
It is prohibited for 'Ezab' lessees to cultivate any type of plant in all 'Ezab' categories, except for Ghaf, Sidr, and Samar trees.
Article (7)
The Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority, through its companies, shall supply 'Ezab' with water and electricity services whenever supply is technically feasible and economically justified, according to the following controls:
- Proximity of the 'Ezab' to electricity load centers and water distribution networks.
- The supply of water and electricity to the 'Ezab' does not impose additional burdens or loads that negatively affect the capacity of existing water and electricity distribution networks and current consumers.
- No social, environmental, health, or material damages occur as a result of adding these loads to the networks.
- Any other controls determined by a decision from the Executive Council.
- The beneficiaries shall bear all fees and costs associated with connecting water and electricity services to their 'Ezab' in accordance with the applicable legislation.
Article (8)
Lessees of 'Ezab' must meet the following conditions:
- Be a citizen of the United Arab Emirates.
- Be not less than twenty-one Gregorian years of age.
- Own or commit to owning a number of animals not less than the minimum allowed in the Western Region 'Ezab' as determined by the Department in coordination with the competent authorities.
- All animals must be registered in the Emirate's animal identification and registration system.
- Not be a lessee of another 'Ezbah' unless it is proven that the number of animals he owns exceeds the maximum capacity of his current 'Ezbah', or he is raising a specific and different type of animal, or for geographical and social reasons. Grazing 'Ezab' are excluded from this.
- Government entities, legal persons, public benefit institutions, and the like may lease land to establish 'Ezab'.
- Seasonal 'Ezab' for which individuals or government institutions apply for a lease are exempt from the minimum number of animals requirement.
- Subleasing of 'Ezab' is prohibited.
Article (9)
Lessees of Grazing 'Ezab' and Seasonal 'Ezab' are prohibited from erecting permanent fences and all types of pens, or constructing rest houses or any permanent service facilities or housing for workers therein.
Article (10)
The Department and the concerned municipalities shall undertake the general administration and supervision of the affairs of 'Ezab' complexes of all categories, in coordination with the competent authorities.
Article (11)
- Employees of the concerned municipality have the right to enter the 'Ezab', except for areas designated for housing, to verify the compliance of the 'Ezbah' lessee or its occupant in any capacity with the lease terms or license conditions.
- All competent authorities shall exchange information among themselves if their employees observe any violation of the relevant applicable legislation.
- The competent authorities may address the concerned municipality to cancel the lease contracts of violating 'Ezab' and remove the causes of the violation through administrative means at the violator's expense if their employees observe any violation of the provisions of this Resolution.
Article (12)
All persons subject to the provisions of this Resolution must regularize their status within one year from the date of its publication. The Chairman of the Department may, by a decision, extend this period for other similar periods.
Article (13)
The Chairman of the Department shall issue the necessary decisions, regulations, bylaws, and instructions for the implementation of the provisions of this Resolution.
Article (14)
The aforementioned Executive Council Chairman's Resolution No. (58) of 2009 is hereby repealed.
Article (15)
This Resolution shall be effective from the date of its issuance and shall be published in the Official Gazette.
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Crown Prince
Chairman of the Executive Council
Issued by us in Abu Dhabi
On: July 5, 2015 AD
Corresponding to: Ramadan 18, 1436 AH
Fee Schedule Attached to the Executive Council Chairman's Resolution
No. (73) of 2015 Regarding the Regulation of 'Ezab' Affairs
| No. |
'Ezbah' Category |
Services |
Rent Price/m² |
Security Deposit |
Remarks |
| 1 |
Breeding 'Ezab'
and 'Ezab' for Racing
Camel Care |
Fully Serviced |
0.25 fils per year |
3000 AED |
Includes leveling, fences, and temporary housing |
| Not Fully Serviced |
0.15 fils per year |
Undeveloped, unleveled land only |
| 2 |
Seasonal 'Ezab' |
|
0.10 fils for 6 months |
3000 AED |
Includes 'Ezab' for camel insemination, camel services, and social, sports, and recreational activities. |