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
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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 />
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