Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve

Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve (Arabic: محمية المرموم الصحراوية)[2] is the first unfenced nature conservation reserve in the United Arab Emirates.[1] It is located in the desert area of Saih Al Salam in the emirate of Dubai and comprises some 10% of the total land area of the emirate, including the extensive man-made desert wetlands, Al Qudra Lakes.[3]

Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve
Al Qudra Lakes at Al Marmoom
Map showing the location of Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve
Map showing the location of Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve
Location in the United Arab Emirates
Map showing the location of Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve
Map showing the location of Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve
Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve (Asia)
LocationDubai, the UAE
Nearest cityDubai
Coordinates24°50′1.73″N 55°22′34.36″E
Area40 ha (99 acres)[1]
EstablishedJanuary 2018[1]
Governing bodyDubai Municipality

Ecology and geography

The reserve spans over 40 ha (99 acres) of desert shrub land and 10 km (6.2 mi) of lakes and is home to 26 identified species of reptiles, nine of mammals and 39 species of plants. It provides a sanctuary for 19 animal species considered endangered, as well as flocks of between 300 and 500 flamingos and over 360 other bird species, of which 158 are migratory.[1] Rare species observed at Al Marmoom include the Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius and the giant skipper butterfly Coeliades anchises jucunda, which is native to the island of Socotra, off Yemen.[4]

History
An aerial view of the Al Qudra Lakes

Its announcement, in January 2018,[1] followed public concern regarding the fouling of the area by tourists[5] as well as a number of deaths of birds and fish in the lakes.[6]

Management

Al Marmoom is managed by Dubai Municipality. In September 2021, Dubai Tourism partnered with OceanAir Travels, Middle East Tours and activities leading company. The move to regulate camping, barbecuing and picnicking was welcomed by the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG),[7] an organization that had organized cleanup campaigns in the area in the past.

The Marmoom Biosphere Centre is intended as a facility for studying the sustainable development and management of the reserve, as well as serving as a centre for sustainable ecotourism, and will aim to be the main source of specialized ecosystem management practices in the region.[1]

Leisure activities

The Reserve currently has a number of animal and bird observation platforms, star and sunset observation decks and an 84 km cycling track, one of the world's largest.[8] There is an ongoing development program for the reserve, including bird breeding programs[9] as well as the development of an outdoor theatre and other facilities intended to be powered by a 5,000 megawatt solar power plant.[1] Al Marmoom is served by one of Dubai's distinctive 'Last Exit' food truck parks.[10]

Star gazing events are often held at Al Marmoom by Dubai Astronomy Group as the area has little to no light pollution.[11] Some 20 sporting and social events have taken place in the Reserve since its launch, including a junior fun day organized Pink Caravan, the UAE-based breast cancer awareness initiative.

The Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa in Mugatrah is situated close to the Reserve.[12]

Tourist Attractions in Al Qudra
The Expo 2020 Lake
Love Lake
Crescent Moon Lake
  • Expo 2020 Lake - shaped like the logo of Expo 2020 as a promotional tourist attraction in Al Selal.
  • Love Lake - 2 hearts intersecting and trees that spell out the word love in Saih Al Salam.
  • Crescent Moon Lake - Lake shaped like a crescent moon with a small island in the middle in Ghadeer Barashy.
  • Al Qudra Lakes - Man-made lakes near the reserve.
  • The Oryx Platform - Viewing platform shaped like the head of an oryx, located next to Expo 2020 Lake.

Archaeological site
See also: History of the United Arab Emirates, List of Ancient Settlements in the UAE, List of cultural property of national significance in the United Arab Emirates, and List of tourist attractions in the United Arab Emirates

The Saruq Al Hadid Archaeological Site is situated within the Reserve. It was discovered in 2002 by the Ruler of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who noticed unusual dune formations when flying over the site in his helicopter.[13] Excavations revealed an extensive Iron Age metallurgical centre, with signs of occupation since the Upper Palaeolithic and Neolithic eras. Artefacts unearthed at Saruq Al Hadid include bronze, copper and iron work, including bronze and iron tools and weapons, gold jewellery, beads, pottery, stoneware and seals. Metalworker's tools and unfinished items show that the site was formerly a production centre.

A collection of artefacts from the site is housed at the Saruq Al-Hadid Archaeology Museum in the Shindaga Heritage area in a traditional barjeel building, which was built in 1928, and which belonged to Sheikh Juma bin Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum.[13]

See also

References
  1. "Dubai Ruler launches Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve". The National. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  2. "محمية المرموم الصحراوية" (in Arabic). United Arab Emirates Ministry of Climate Change & Environment. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  3. aashna (15 January 2018). "Top Trends, Travel 2018 - Forbes Middle East". Forbes Middle East. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  4. Paul Crompton (28 July 2017). "Egyptian bird species seen thriving in Dubai". GulfNews. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  5. Editor, Rabab Khan, Community Interactivity (18 January 2017). "Al Qudra Lake — from campsite to dumping ground". Gulf News. Retrieved 25 July 2018. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. Reporter, Sajila Saseendran, Senior (13 September 2017). "What killed fish and birds in Al Qudra Lake during Eid holidays?". GulfNews. Retrieved 25 July 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. Reporter, Derek Baldwin, Chief (13 December 2017). "Eco-group backs Al Qudra camping ban". GulfNews. Retrieved 25 July 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. "Al Qudra Lakes - quick guide - What's On". What's On Dubai. 30 April 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  9. Staff Report (15 July 2018). "Al Marmoum Reserve breeding programme outlined". GulfNews. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  10. "Second Last Exit opens in Al Qudra". Time Out Dubai. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  11. "There's going to be a meteor shower in Dubai this week". What's On Dubai. 13 December 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  12. "home | Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa - Dubai". www.babalshams.com. Archived from the original on 25 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  13. "Saruq Al-Hadid Archaeological Museum Official Website". Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
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