tourism : Prof. Bellamy DUBAI, 25 Nov. 05 (WAM) - World renowned botanist, writerand broadcaster, Professor David Bellamy today visited MiddleEast's largest protected wildlife reserve and conservation-basedresort, the Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa to study its conservationefforts.
During his brief Dubai stopover, Professor Bellamy alsoundertook a tour of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), the Gulf's first true wildlife reserve initiated andmanaged by Al Maha. Al Maha's ambitious wildlife re-introduction and endangeredspecies protection programmes have brought back to life manynear-extinct species including the Arabian Oryx, and variousfloral species which had almost disappeared from the wild. In 1999, almost 100 Arabian Oryx were re-introduced intoAl Maha's conservation reserve, and under the protection andmanagement of the area their population has swelled to 280.Subsequently the expansion of the 27-square kilometres AlMaha, into the 225-square kilometres Dubai Desert ConservationReserve under the Dubai Rulers' decree, has seen many other wildlife species like the Arabian Wildcat and Fox grow in numbers.
Professor Bellamy said: "The Arabian Peninsula boasts ofsome very rare and important wildlife and flora which today facesevere threat due to untamed urbanization and the natural processesof climate change over the past 10,000 years. Sadly, the pastcentury has been absolutely catastrophic to the species of Arabia. This is our last chance to rescue some of the world's mostbeautiful and fascinating creatures." Supportive of Al Maha's massive conservation efforts andclearly impressed with its results, he added: "Well-managed conservation, which also serves as a tourism attraction has seenplaces like Al Maha play an increasingly important role in natureand wildlife conservation. Its continuing development is highlyrelevant to the Gulf region." Professor Bellamy noted: "Al Maha's work with the ArabianOryx - saving it from extinction and returning it to a free-roamingexistence in the wild is now world famous and recognised by suchinstitutions as National Geographic and Conservation International. Its visionary environmental features such as the re-use of wastewater are also a model for others in the region. I believe thatAl Maha can lead the world in conservation and nature-based tourism." Al Maha Vice President Tony Williams said: "Most desertspecies in Dubai are under threat due to rapid growth of cityurban areas, and a booming tourist industry which brings withit increased levels of desert safaris. At Al Maha our focus ison managing responsible tourism growth coupled with serious,scientific conservation work. Al Maha and the DDCR's effortsto conserve the region's original habitat and bio-diversity willbecome increasingly important as Dubai continues to develop." Al Maha's robust conservation drive has won it worldwiderecognition including the much coveted National Geographic'sWorld Legacy Award (2004).
