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

Other patrols : The NCWCD Aviation Department is based in
Sakaka, and maintains hangar facilities at the Al Jouf airport, approximately 80
nautical miles south of the reserve. Between three and five Maule single engine
aircraft are available for aerial patrols over Harrat al-Harrah, and Al Khunfa to the
south. The Aviation Department undertakes aerial patrols for intruders, facilitation of
communication between rangers, transport of NCWCD personnel, wildlife surveys
and radio-telemetry, and general support of ground-based field operations.
Threats to integrity : Oil and phosphate deposits have been located
beneath central areas of the protected area, and a proposal to mine phosphate has
been submitted to central government. Intermittent, but sometimes large-scale
intrusions by faga’ collectors and herdsmen, prior to 1998 when the area’s
boundaries were not protected by a dike.
Other Stakeholders
Local community identity : Principal tribes are Rawalah, Anizah,
Shararat and Shammar; approximatelt 50-60% of the region’s population is nomadic
or only semi-settled. Northern region characterised by low population densities;
approximately