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Protected Area Mahazat as-Sayd
Administrative features
Category : Special Natural Reserve
Date of creation : Declared 1988 (BOG); ratified 1989 (Council of
Ministers)
Reasons for designation : Mahazat as-Sayd was selected as a representative
portion the western edge of the Najd Pediplain, known to have once supported
populations of gazelle, most notably reem Gazella subgutturosa, but also possibly
idmi G. gazella and afri G. dorcas (Vesey-Fitzgerald 1952).
With the potential to support high biological diversity following the recovery of
vegetation from overgrazing, Mahazat as-Sayd was intended to be the first
reintroduction site for Arabian oryx Oryx leucoryx, and other native species such as
houbara bustard Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii, reem gazelle, and wildlife
substitutes such as red-necked ostrich Struthio camelus.
Responsible agency :NCWCD
Size and sectors : The total fenced area is 2,244 km2, with no
subdivisions.
Emirate(s) : The reserve is situated in the Makkah Emirate.
Central co-ordinates : 22 o 15’ N, 41 o 40’ E
Existing maps : The reserve is covered by the following maps:
• 1: 50,000 Series: 4121-41, 14, 11, 44, 4122-42, 13, 12, 43, 31, 24, 34, 32, 23,
22, 33
• Landsat USGS images: GM 210 Southern Hijaz; GM 211 Southern Najd
• NCWCD map: 1:100.000, Ministry of Defence and Aviation, 1993
• NWRC map: 1: 420,000, December 1993.
Management plans : The first management plan for Mahazat as-Sayd was drawn
up in January 1989, and dealt only with management objectives for that year (Anon.
Mahazet Assed (sic), Proposed Management plan for 1989. January 1989. NCWCD
manuscript).
A draft policy document was drawn up by G. Child in April 1989 (Child, G.
1989. Draft Policy Document, Mahazat Assed (sic). April 1989. NCWCD manuscript).
A second, draft policy document was prepared by the NCWCD Department of
Planning (Anon. Draft Policy Document, Mahazat As Sayd. Undated. NCWCD
manuscript). In 1994 a draft management plan was drawn up which summarised the
reserve's current programmes and future needs as of late 1994 (Smith, T. 1994.
Mahazat As-Sayd Protected Area Draft Management Plan 1995-1999. November
1994. NWRC manuscript).
The latest and current management plan for the area was compiled in 1996,
with revisions in 1997 (Seddon, P. J. 1996. Master Management Plan for the
Mahazat as-Sayd Protected Area. NCWCD manuscript).
Tourism strategy : There are no permanent visitor facilities in Mahazat as-
Sayd, nor are there any regular visits by school or public groups. The reserve
however, is a good example of the potential for the rangeland to recover from
overgrazing and illustrates what the surrounding districts could have looked like 50
years ago, before grazing pressure became unsustainable.
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