Eco-tourism amidst the Arabian Desert
The mysteriously whistling and softly whispering air resonating in the never ending sand spreads across the Arabian Desert originally inhabited by the native Bedouins is all set to enthrall the hearts of tourists from all corners of the globe to come and see for them selves the unexplored wilderness of the Middle East and Dubai property.
The Al Maha Desert Resort owned by the Emirates Airlines and comfortably sitting atop the large dune inside a desert conservation reserve of 230sq km taking up about five percent of Dubai is in itself a kingdom with 40 luxurious all amenity endowed palatial Bedouin tents each for $ 1320 a night with discounts for frequent fliers on Emirates Airlines and summer discounts. Each of the tent bungalows is provided with an exclusive swimming pool and is stocked with the expensive items such as Bulgari soaps, crystal decanters flowing with free sherry, the cushy menus are all set to get go the revenue fetching eco-tourism amidst the mystical Arabian desert in its distinctive and elegant Dubai style. One can frequently find the presence of its native as well as exotic wild such as its rare Arabian gazelle casually flocking into the bungalows to the sheer amazement of its residents. The resort perched amidst the melting long stretches of undulating sand dunes change its colors with the reflection of the sun that gradually dips in the horizon as the day comes to an end. The Al Maha may be very expensive but it is instrumental in playing a significant role in the conservation of the precious wild and the raw unexplored land of the Arabian Desert home to its tribal that could easily have fallen prey and disappeared without trace in the rapacious development of the Middle East.
The tourism sponsored by the Al Maha, promoted as eco-tourism is ecologically friendly but with its own share of hunches. The artificial resources employed to create an aura of all green and environment savvy conditions is a rather a progenitor of undesirable elements unheard of before, percolating into the eco-system of this sandy land. The resort’s air conditioned bungalows consume plenty of water and electricity. The introduction of non native, exotic plant varieties to beautify the resort and piling of double the number of animals that the land can support to give the wilderness look to the resort is actually an eco-threat and not eco-friendly at all. If not taken care of in time the arrangement will show its negative spills in times to come. Yet the sight of various animals willingly strolling by and the birds flying down the artificially watering hole to quench their thirst in the 42 degree centigrade afternoon in the vicinity of the bungalow tents thrill the tourists who anxiously watch them with their hotel provided binoculars.
The biggest success attributed to the Al Maha is its significant role in swelling up the size of its native and rare Arabian Oryx, a big white antelope which was at the verge of diminishing in the 60s but are now thriving rather flourishing, and can be seen happily munching the irrigated greenery amidst the peach colored dunes of the resort and its bungalow lawns. Other protected and saved animals include the three species of breathtakingly spontaneous and attractive springing gazelles, two species of desert foxes and the awe inspiring rapaciously moving 20cm long lizard with porcelain like skin. Steps were taken to revive the dying herd of scimitar-horned Oryx once native to the Sahara and can now be seen hopping in the vicinity of the resort. Timely elimination of camel, an animal that had covertly robbed this desert land off its natural greenery, from the premises of the resort has sprung long awaited life to the land after years of overgrazing turning the already denuded part of this earth into a barren entity.
Another memorable eco-tourism option to be cherished can be tried with the entourage arranged by the company called Mountain Extreme in the northern emirate of Ras al-Khaimah which provides for an overnight trek in the sun-shattered rock climbing of the Hajjar Mountains.
Watching fascinating displays of early morning owl hunting and an occasional falcon-hunting is a life time sight, worth experiencing. The mighty bird obeys to the brilliant commands of its trainer. It comes down in circular movements and whisks away the pieces of bird carcass in a flash while the people are still facing up unable to comprehend for a few seconds as to what happened.
Enchanting evenings spent at the backdrop of the setting sun melting gradually in the dusty horizon with a flute of champagne and fresh strawberries in our hands and lazing with fellow trotters from all across the globe is a soulful experience.
For the ones wanting more adventure, there are treks beyond the unexplored mountain villages of the Shihhi tribes in the northern emirate of Ras al –Khaimah and in Oman to delve into the lives of these natives of the ancient civilization.
John Falchetto, a Canadian mountaineer and entrepreneur is an ardent desert fan. He takes hardy hikers for an overnight adventure into the rugged Wadi Bih canyon and peaks of the Hijjar Mountains. He has redeveloped the otherwise rusty Shihhi villages to be used as base camps. He is presently working in conjunction with the emirate’s ruler towards developing a nature reserve around this region.
A few villages are accessible only by foot and are fantastically located very near to the mighty and dashy Indian Ocean. Sun is already set ablaze even at 5:30 in the morning, we sit atop the peak of the mountain looking over the serpentine ridges of the mighty canyon with layers after layers of limestone spread as sheets of magical vistas only seen to believe in this ultimate tourist destination.
The Al Maha Desert Resort owned by the Emirates Airlines and comfortably sitting atop the large dune inside a desert conservation reserve of 230sq km taking up about five percent of Dubai is in itself a kingdom with 40 luxurious all amenity endowed palatial Bedouin tents each for $ 1320 a night with discounts for frequent fliers on Emirates Airlines and summer discounts. Each of the tent bungalows is provided with an exclusive swimming pool and is stocked with the expensive items such as Bulgari soaps, crystal decanters flowing with free sherry, the cushy menus are all set to get go the revenue fetching eco-tourism amidst the mystical Arabian desert in its distinctive and elegant Dubai style. One can frequently find the presence of its native as well as exotic wild such as its rare Arabian gazelle casually flocking into the bungalows to the sheer amazement of its residents. The resort perched amidst the melting long stretches of undulating sand dunes change its colors with the reflection of the sun that gradually dips in the horizon as the day comes to an end. The Al Maha may be very expensive but it is instrumental in playing a significant role in the conservation of the precious wild and the raw unexplored land of the Arabian Desert home to its tribal that could easily have fallen prey and disappeared without trace in the rapacious development of the Middle East.
The tourism sponsored by the Al Maha, promoted as eco-tourism is ecologically friendly but with its own share of hunches. The artificial resources employed to create an aura of all green and environment savvy conditions is a rather a progenitor of undesirable elements unheard of before, percolating into the eco-system of this sandy land. The resort’s air conditioned bungalows consume plenty of water and electricity. The introduction of non native, exotic plant varieties to beautify the resort and piling of double the number of animals that the land can support to give the wilderness look to the resort is actually an eco-threat and not eco-friendly at all. If not taken care of in time the arrangement will show its negative spills in times to come. Yet the sight of various animals willingly strolling by and the birds flying down the artificially watering hole to quench their thirst in the 42 degree centigrade afternoon in the vicinity of the bungalow tents thrill the tourists who anxiously watch them with their hotel provided binoculars.
The biggest success attributed to the Al Maha is its significant role in swelling up the size of its native and rare Arabian Oryx, a big white antelope which was at the verge of diminishing in the 60s but are now thriving rather flourishing, and can be seen happily munching the irrigated greenery amidst the peach colored dunes of the resort and its bungalow lawns. Other protected and saved animals include the three species of breathtakingly spontaneous and attractive springing gazelles, two species of desert foxes and the awe inspiring rapaciously moving 20cm long lizard with porcelain like skin. Steps were taken to revive the dying herd of scimitar-horned Oryx once native to the Sahara and can now be seen hopping in the vicinity of the resort. Timely elimination of camel, an animal that had covertly robbed this desert land off its natural greenery, from the premises of the resort has sprung long awaited life to the land after years of overgrazing turning the already denuded part of this earth into a barren entity.
Another memorable eco-tourism option to be cherished can be tried with the entourage arranged by the company called Mountain Extreme in the northern emirate of Ras al-Khaimah which provides for an overnight trek in the sun-shattered rock climbing of the Hajjar Mountains.
Watching fascinating displays of early morning owl hunting and an occasional falcon-hunting is a life time sight, worth experiencing. The mighty bird obeys to the brilliant commands of its trainer. It comes down in circular movements and whisks away the pieces of bird carcass in a flash while the people are still facing up unable to comprehend for a few seconds as to what happened.
Enchanting evenings spent at the backdrop of the setting sun melting gradually in the dusty horizon with a flute of champagne and fresh strawberries in our hands and lazing with fellow trotters from all across the globe is a soulful experience.
For the ones wanting more adventure, there are treks beyond the unexplored mountain villages of the Shihhi tribes in the northern emirate of Ras al –Khaimah and in Oman to delve into the lives of these natives of the ancient civilization.
John Falchetto, a Canadian mountaineer and entrepreneur is an ardent desert fan. He takes hardy hikers for an overnight adventure into the rugged Wadi Bih canyon and peaks of the Hijjar Mountains. He has redeveloped the otherwise rusty Shihhi villages to be used as base camps. He is presently working in conjunction with the emirate’s ruler towards developing a nature reserve around this region.
A few villages are accessible only by foot and are fantastically located very near to the mighty and dashy Indian Ocean. Sun is already set ablaze even at 5:30 in the morning, we sit atop the peak of the mountain looking over the serpentine ridges of the mighty canyon with layers after layers of limestone spread as sheets of magical vistas only seen to believe in this ultimate tourist destination.
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11:04 PM
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