The Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve is the UAE's first unfenced nature conservation reserve. This protected area is located in the Saih Al Salam desert in the emirate of Dubai. It covers 10% of the UAE's total land area and features extensive man-made desert wetlands.
204 species of native birds
The Marmoom Reserve is a new eco-tourism project in Dubai that will create a vast desert park with man-made lakes and massive shrubland. The reserve will be home to 204 species of native birds and 158 species of migratory birds. It will also provide habitats for endangered species and provide an ideal environment for eco-tourism.
The reserve covers 10 percent of Dubai's total area and is the largest unfenced nature reserve in the region. It is also home to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Solar Park, the region's largest renewable energy project. The reserve has a plethora of activities, including a yoga center and a Bedouin Experience. There are also several endangered species of birds and mammals.
39 species of plants
Al Marmoom is a protected area that is home to a wide variety of wildlife. It includes 26 species of reptiles and nine species of mammals, as well as 39 species of plants. The area also boasts 19 endangered species of animals. The area is home to the highest concentration of large flamingos found in any desert in the country. The reserve also hosts 158 species of migratory birds. It is also home to one of the largest herds of Arabian gazelles in the UAE.
The reserve is also home to an archaeological site that dates back more than 3,000 years to the Iron Age. The Marmoom Biosphere Centre is dedicated to studying how the protected area can be best managed and will serve as the regional centre for sustainable ecotourism. It will also have a dedicated youth program that will teach participants about the importance of the environment while fostering a spirit of connection to the natural world. The park is also home to a range of sports and cultural events.
Camel Races
The Dubai Camel Racing Club is one of the pioneering sports establishments in Dubai. It was founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who wished to establish an organization to promote camel racing. He envisioned the event to be a great spectacle that would bring the whole community together and enjoy the sport.
The camel races are held between October and April and usually feature twenty or thirty entrants. Each camel is handicapped based on its breed, age, and sex.
Eco-tourism Project
The Dubai Municipality is launching an eco-tourism project in Al Marmoom, a protected area within Dubai's desert. The initiative is a joint effort by nine government agencies and will include 20 initiatives aimed at preserving the desert's natural and cultural heritage. This will include a yoga centre, 10 animal observation platforms, and a Bedouin experience. The initiative is supported by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center and other government entities.
The UAE has 43 protected areas that comprise 14 per cent of its land mass. This compares to less than five percent of Earth's total surface area. The project is being implemented in phases and will focus on social, economic, and environmental factors.
