02.01.2013 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Regional Infrastructure<br />

Nearest petrol supplies : North: unnamed pertol station on Ar’ar-Turaif<br />

highway (40 km); East: Abu Ajram (80 km); South: Nabk Abu Qasr (20 km); West:<br />

Tubarjal (40 km)<br />

Nearest over-night accommodation : North: Turaif (40 km); South and East:<br />

Dowmat al Jandal (120 km); West: Al Qurayyat (100 km).<br />

Nearest towns (150 km radius) : Turaif; Qurayyat; Dowmat al Jandal; Sakaka.<br />

Distance to regional centre (Emara) : Sakaka: 140 km from southern camp.<br />

Nearest national sealed road : Turaif-Ar’ar highway: 60-80 km from northern<br />

camps.<br />

Regional tourist attractions : Historic (early Islamic and Nabatean) and<br />

pre-historic sites in the vicinities of the towns of Dowmat al Jandal and Sakaka.<br />

Regional tourism developments : <strong>The</strong> Al Nusl Hotel in Sakaka runs weekend<br />

tours in conjunction with the national air carrier, Saudia Airlines, the focus of which is<br />

the historical sites around Sakaka and Dowmat al Jandal.<br />

Summary Assessment<br />

Scenic and landscape : Starkness and isolation does not have wide public appeal.<br />

Wildlife : Low diversity, at low density, and generally extremely<br />

unapproachable.<br />

Cultural/historical : Seasonal collection of faga’ has been an important<br />

traditional use; high density of pre-historic sites provides a specialised interest.<br />

Existing facilities : Inadequate <strong>for</strong> anything other than day visits or selfcontained<br />

camping.<br />

Location and access : Access to central areas requires 4WD journey of up to 150<br />

km one-way from nearest sealed roads.<br />

Sensitivity / security : Safe socio-politically; landscape and natural features very<br />

resilient to moderate human presence.<br />

Potential activities : Day trips or supervised overnight camping during winter<br />

and spring, associated with visits to selected pre-historic sites, and/or regulated<br />

collection of faga. Wildlife sightings would be a bonus, but not a selling point.<br />

Rating<br />

1 = highly suitable <strong>for</strong> tourism; 2 = moderately suitable <strong>for</strong> tourism; 3 =<br />

unsuitable <strong>for</strong> tourism at the present time, or with specialised or limited public<br />

appeal or capacity only; 4 = unsuitable <strong>for</strong> tourism in the <strong>for</strong>eseeable future.<br />

Scenery : 3<br />

Wildlife : 3<br />

124

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!