UAE: Eco-tourism Projects Help Sharjah

After many years of quietly developing its cultural tourism resources, Sharjah has now begun to launch large scale eco-tourism projects that both help provide visitors with a richer experience and help protect the emirate’s natural environment. Perhaps the largest of these, so far, is the Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism Project, which deftly presents the archaeological site and area of natural beauty as a world-class tourist attraction, whilst managing the impact of tourism on the environment.

Developed and managed by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and opened in January of this year, the 50 kilometre Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism Project combines archaeology exhibits with eco-tourism and adventure pursuits to offer visitors a unique experience. Visitors can learn about the history of the ancient settlement in Mleiha, which dates by to the 3rd millennium, supported by modern tourist facilities and a multi-lingual destination management team. The surrounding desert and mountains provide plenty of opportunity for tours, camping and extreme sports.

The second phase of the Mleiha project is planned to create a 450 square kilometre Mleiha National Desert Park in collaboration with Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), which will reintroduce indigenous wildlife, such as oryx and gazelles, to the area. The second phase will also include a camping park, a motel for overnight stays and an astronomy observatory.

One of the largest new projects announced this year, is Sharjah Safari Park. The park is expected to become one of the largest safari parks outside of Africa, covering an area of about 14 square kilometres (about 3,500 acres) and accommodating up to 50,000 animals. Encompassing Al Bardi Park in Al Dhaid area, the project also aims to help to protect natural ecosystems and biodiversity by creating a sustainable tourism resort, which will include areas dedicated to previously indigenous species.

Sharjah is also investing heavily in its eastern region, which includes the areas of Dibba, Kalba and Khorfakkan on the Gulf of Oman coast. Shurooq is currently developing Kalba Eco-Tourism Project, one of the largest eco-tourism developments in the region, and Al Hisn Island, a leisure and tourist attraction located in Dibba Al Hisn. A new leisure cruise ship terminal is being built at Khorfakkan Port, in line with Sharjah’s goals to continue to develop its cruise tourism business.

Meanwhile, close to the Sharjah-Kalba road in the Hajjar mountains, Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre was officially opened to the public in March this year. The new 12 square kilometre wildlife conservation centre, managed by EPAA, was established to protect endangered animal species native to the region’s fragile mountain ecosystems. However, like Mleiha and the Wasit Wetland Centre in Sharjah city, the new centre is tourist-ready, with a visitors’ centre, modern facilities and knowledgeable guides.

Against the backdrop of Sharjah’s continuous investment in art, history and Islamic culture, these eco-tourism developments are expected to help enhance the emirate’s appeal to existing tourism market segments, such as GCC families, and new segments, such as independent travelers searching for unique experiences.

Sharjah plans to attract more than 10 million tourists to the emirate by year 2021.

UAE: Mleiha Archaeological And Eco-tourism Project, New Tourist, Heritage And Eco-tourism Destination 50km East Of Sharjah City,

Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism Project, a new tourist, heritage and eco-tourism destination 50km east of Sharjah city, is to have an astronomical observatory built on top of one of the area’s mountains. The observatory is one of the outcomes from an agreement signed between Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Sciences (SCASS), under which observatories will be constructed at a number of Shurooq tourist destinations across Sharjah.

The first phase of the Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism Project was opened in January, offering tourists the opportunity to discover the area’s ancient archeological sites, visit the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, explore the area’s natural beauty and take part in a variety of outdoor adventure activities. An estimated AED 250 million (US$ 69m) is expected to be invested in developing the destination over the next few years.

The astronomical observatory is planned for phase two of the Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism Project. The destination’s desert location, far from the city and with little artificial light, is already an ideal place for visitors to star gaze. The new observatory is expected to provide visitors with a powerful space telescope under the supervision of Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Sciences.

Under the agreement signed with SCASS, Shurooq will also help promote the Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Sciences to tourists, which is located in Sharjah’s University City. The centre, which was opened to the public last year, features a high-tech 200-seat planetarium, a a 450mm reflecting telescope and a 180mm refracting telescope. Shurooq also plans to build observatories and install telescopes at a number of its tourist destinations over the coming years.

The study of astronomy flourished throughout the Islamic world between the 9th and 16th centuries A.D. (184 A.H. through till 1009 A.H.), including the construction of great observatories. Today, hundreds of stars and constellations are still known by their Arabic names, such as Aldebaran, Altair, Deneb, Rigel and Vega, whilst more than 20 of the moon’s craters are named after Muslim astrono­mers, such as Alfraganus (al-Farghani), Albategnius (al-Battani) and Azophi (al-Sufi).

SCASS was established in 2015 to develop and promote education about astronomy and space sciences in the Arab World. The center dedicated is open to educators, school students, university students, researchers and the general public.