Wahiba Sands: Unlocking the secrets of Oman's desert
|
|
www.geooman.org/ecotrips To unlock the secrets of the Wahiba sands and to help conserve it, a study was carried out in 1986 by the Royal Geographical society,
London, with the support from the Omani Government. The areas of study included sand, vegetation, biological resources, and the relationship between the Bedouin and the sands in order to discover the history and more importantly to plan a future for the area.
The sands consist of quartz, carbonate and ophiolitic grains blown in from nearby eroded rocks and marine sediments. The sand dunes are moving inland at about 10 metres per year. Underlying the sands is the most extensive deposit of aeolianite in the world. An aeolianite is cemented wind-blown sand; outcrops of it are found along the eastern and western margins of the sands.
On the eastern edge are extensive woodlands which support the majority of plant and animal life in the dunes. It is interesting to note that 180 species of plants, including one new to science, and 200 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians roam the sands.
Varying sand dunes in the northern Wahiba Sands are a fascinating sight The underground water system which feeds the woodlands and scattered vegetation comes from alluvial aquifers in the north-east. If too many wells are dug, it could lower the water tablewhich would have disastrous effects on the woodlands and entire ecosystem of the sands.
The Bedouin have maintained a balance over the years exploiting and conserving the local resources. Because of their changing lifestyles, their dependence on the local resources has diminished. This change is likely to cause a decrease in skills and understanding in dealing with their environment.
Therefore, if a plan for managing and conserving the sands is to be successful, the Bedouin will have to be active partners in its design and implementation.
Access: Two ways lead to the coast of the Wahiba sands. Take the new blacktop road from Al Kamil to Al Ashkharah and turn off in Bilad Bani Bu Ali. Pass the village and head south on one of the many tracks through the woodlands that stretch along the eastern margin of the sands. The tracks intersect the gravel road that connects Al Askharah and Khuwaymah. This junction, 61 Km from Al Ashkahrah, is easily recognized because of the petrol place.
The second way to the coast is to continue on the black top road to Al Ashkharah. At the roundabout, turn left towards the beach or continue straight ahead from the roundabout, used as the zero point for the kilometer count. The Shell station one Km ahead is the last opportunity to buy super petrol. In the village the blacktop road splits up. Take the right fork after a few hundred metres the graded road begins. The sand si soft, but it is possible to continue along the beach all the way to Khuwaymah.
|
Back to main page
|
Showing 20 news articles Back
To Top
|
|