DESERT GREENING TECHNOLOGY

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Tourism Development

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Tourism Development

Al-Bahah Region is a state of Saudi Arabia and is located in the southwestern part of the Hejazi region. It has an area of 9,921 km², and a population of 476,172 (2017). Its capital is Al Bahah. The region includes Al-Baḥah City, Al-Mikhwah and Baljorashi. Baljorashi has a famous traditional market known as sooqe as-sabt, which translates to English as "Saturday market". The Baljorashi market is very old and its exact age is unknown. This market opens after the Fajr prayer, or around 5 A.M. local time. The market closes around noon. People come from all over the region to buy and sell handmade goods. Other cities in the region include Baljourashi, Al-Mikhwah, Rahwat Albar, Sabt Alalaya, and a city by the Red Sea called AlQunfunda. Al-Baḥah region is the home of two Azd tribes, the Ghamid and the Zahran.

The word al-Baḥah (or Baḥah without al which is equivalent to "the" in English) has many meanings; it means water, the courtyard of a house, the high and abundant palm tree. In tales it refers to an extremely deep bottomless well in al-Zafir fortress. It means "open space", "water" and "abundant palm tree" and the "midline of a road".

The vegetation comprises mainly of palm trees and shrubs, but most of it is desert. Water is available through regular seasonal rains.

Why We Are Best

Reforestation & Afforestation

Agriculture

Research

Tourism & Visitor Centre

Recreation Club

Financial

BENEFITS

T h e b e n e f i t s o f t h e p r o j e c t a r e m a n y a n d c a n i n c l u d e t h e f o l l o w i n g:

Development of technologies to “green” the desert that can be emulated in different parts of Saudi Arabia

Training of locals in various technical fields such as agriculture, forestry, solar energy, conservation and the environment

Production of food and forestry products for local consumption

Specific food production for the Haj Season in Mecca and Medina

Promotion of tourism: Agro-tourism, eco-tourism and even health tourism

Economic development for the region

Showcase different technologies that can be shared with other developing countries with similar climates

Develop new technologies through research and development (R&D)

Developing of networks internationally

A team of Malaysian experts have been approached to submit a proposal for a comprehensive forestry, agriculture and research project in the district of Al Bahah in Saudi Arabia. The team, led by Architect Mohd. Shahar has mobilised an initial team and visited FRIM (Forest Research Institute of Malaysia). The team has also met Mr Faiz Kurahi, the Executive Director of Takamal Co from Jeddah, who is the contact person in Saudi Arabia for the proposed project.

Geography & Topography

Al-Baḥah is the name of the province as well its main city, situated in the northwestern part of Ghamed territory. The region is formed of mountains, hills, plains, valleys and desert stretches. This region is situated in the Hejaz, between longitudes 41/42 E and latitudes 19/20 N. The region covers an area about 36,000 km².

Major cities Al Bahah, Baljurashi, Almandaq, Almikhwah & Alaqeeq

The region is divided by huge rocky steeps into two main sectors. To the west is a coastal plain, Tihamah. East is the mountain range of aISarawat,known as Al-Sarat, with an elevation of 1,500 to 2,450 m (4,920 to 8,040 ft) above sea level.

Climate

Al Bahah has a hot desert climateThe climate is greatly affected by its varying geographic features.The climate in Al-Baha is mild with temperatures ranging between 12 to 23 °C (53.6 to 73.4 °F). Due to its location at 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) above sea level, Al Baha's climate is moderate in summer and cold in winter. The area attracts visitors looking for a moderate climate and pristine, scenic views.

In the Tehama area of the province, which is down on the coast, the climate is hot in the summer and warm in the winter. Humidity ranges from 52%–67%. While in the mountainous region, which is known as As-Sarah, the weather is cooler in summer and winter. Rainfall in the mountainous region lies in the range of 229 to 581 millimetres (9 to 23 in). The average throughout the whole region is 100 to 250 millimetres (3.9 to 9.8 in) annually.