Friday, May 07, 2010

Gulf News

Having been in the UAE for the past 30 years now, I've learnt I share a love-hate relationship with the desert. I love to watch the dunes pass by through the window of a car, especially on a full-moon night. I love dune bashing and standing atop one to watch the sunset. But I hate feeling like a tonne of bricks each time I step on the sand. I hate the sand flying into my face and hair, creeping into my clothes.

Yet, there's something endearing about it that keeps pulling me back. So, last weekend saw me and two colleagues at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve in Margham area for a nature trail organised by Arabian Adventures.

As I leafed through a brochure about wildlife at the reserve that our safari guide, Vinod Kumar, handed me, I found that except for maybe the Arabian oryx, the Arabian and sand gazelles, and desert fox, the majority belonged to the reptile species. I've never really been a fan of anybody with their belly too close to the ground. One consolation was that most of these species are nocturnal and it was mid-morning when we arrived. The heat would keep them away, I thought.

Bustling haven

My first encounter that day was with colonies of spider-like flying insects in the camp toilet. We had seen different tracks in the sand made by lizards, dung beetles, agamas, gerbils and desert hare on our way in. Kumar informed us there were over 40 wildlife species, 120 bird species and 55 identified plant species in the reserve. As he pointed out the foliage, the only ones I could identify were the ubiquitous acacia and ghaf trees, and Sodom's apples.

Most animals were shying away from the heat. One flighty gazelle had teased us as we began our journey into the reserve but it was only after driving a good way in that we saw it again with a companion — gracefully at play. The oryx came in much later — first a loner, then, a little ahead, a small herd. In the meantime, the gazelles kept us amused, jumping into view often. It was almost noon before we came upon a large herd of oryx. Close to them, Kumar set out a little picnic breakfast under a ghaf tree.

All this time in the car, Kumar told us to keep our eyes to the ground. At one point he braked hard pointing to the right. We only caught the sand shifting like molten lava as a sandfish raced across. Just as we pulled away I spotted an Arabian toad-headed agama on my side of the path. But before Kumar could stop the car, it disappeared, leaving the tell-tale parallel lines in the sand.

It wasn't long before our trail ended. We saw a few other herds of oryx on our way out. Kumar informed us that the reserve is spreading them out.

— For information visit www.arabian-adventures.com

Photos by Karen Dias/Gulf News

Box: Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve

The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is one of the UAE's major attempts to preserve its desert habitat and traditional heritage, and to protect endangered indigenous wildlife species. It covers 225 square kilometres and 4.75 per cent of the total land area in Dubai, thus making it the largest piece of land dedicated to a single project of the emirate. The DDCR happened due to the joint efforts of the Dubai government, Emirates Airlines and the Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa.

The whole area has been divided into four zones of which two are mainly for research and conservation, with restricted access. The resort forms the third zone and the last is the tourist trail, which has to be strictly adhered to.

Conservation efforts began in the 1960s but it was only after 35 years that, under the sponsorship of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and vice-president of the UAE that 90 Arabian oryx were flown in from their American sanctuary. Today they number about 300.

Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa opened its doors in 1999 and was an immediate success due to the unique desert experiences it provided.

Finally, based on research and conservation proposals by the resort, the DDCR was created in 2004. It is also a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the world's largest global environmental organisation.

The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) covers 225 square km, 4.75 per cent of the land area of Dubai, making it the largest area dedicated to one project of the emirate. DDCR is a joint effort of Dubai government, Emirates airline and the Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa. It is divided into four zones, of which two are for research and conservation. The resort forms the third and the last is the tourist trail.

Conservation efforts began in the 1960s but it was only after 35 years that, under the sponsorship of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, that 90 Arabian oryx were brought from their American sanctuary. Today there are 300.

Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa opened in 1999 and was an instant success. Finally, based on research and conservation proposals by the resort, the DDCR was created in 2004. It is also a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the world's largest environmental organisation.

Inside story

By Manjari Saxena

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