The Unfenced Desert Towards a strategy for eco ... - Nwrc.gov.sa

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Other facilities : The camp at 6K has UHF communication with
Riyadh. The two vehicles used in the reserve are equipped with VHF/FM radios for
car-to-car and car-to-camp communication.
The NCWCD Aviation Department is based in Sakaka, and maintains hangar
facilities at the Al Jouf airport, approximately 120 nautical miles south east of the
reserve. Two authorised landing areas are maintained in the reserve, at 29 o 34.00’N,
37 o 07.10’E, and at 29 o 21.50’N, 37 o 32.20’E. These are marked with tyres and
supplied with a windsock.
Diesel-powered generators are maintained at each ranger camp. These are
required for the running of freezers, lights, radios, air-conditioners etc. There is a
petrol tank at each camp. The cost of filling these is borne by NCWCD, and is
undertaken from Al Khunfah.
Maintenance of facilities : On-site maintenance is the responsibility of the
rangers and their support staff of labourers ad mechanics, with support from local
contractors and NCWCD in Riyadh.
Other patrols : There are two Emara camps in the area, each with
three to four people. Their main purpose is to patrol the border zone, but they work
closely with the NCWCD rangers to assist in general policing of the reserve.
Between three and five Maule single engine aircraft are available in Al Jouf
for aerial patrols, but patrolling priority for Harrat al-Harrah and Al Khunfa to the east
and the south, respectively, means that aerial patrols over At-Tubaiq are irregular and
infrequent.
Threats to integrity : Grazing by domestic livestock, and illegal hunting
of ibex.
Other Stakeholders
Local community identity : Principal tribe is the Sharrat; 50-60% of the
region’s population is nomadic or only semi-settled.
Local economic structure : Not known.
Local communities involvement : Some local people employed as rangers.
Services such as petrol, diesel and food and water supplies obtained locally.
Government ministry involvement : The regional Emara, through the Ministry of
Interior, maintains a Frontier Force of border guards in the region.
Regional Infrastructure
Nearest petrol supplies : ~70km, on sealed highway to the south of the
reserve.
Nearest over-night accommodation : Al Qalibah, ~100km to the south.
Nearest towns (150 km radius) : The nearest towns are Dowmat al Jandal
(~150+km) to the east, and Al Qalibah (`100km) to the south west, and Tabuk
(120km) to the west.
Distance to regional centre (Emara) : Sakaka (Al Jouf Emirate), ~300 km to the
east.