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Winter Camping… A Journey into Mother Nature January 06,2018

Winter camping has become a popular activity, given the encouraging weather and beautiful times away from noisy cities and their routine. Many prefer to enjoy such an atmosphere of unique elegance, especially in the mild weather experienced by the state. Some may also choose a marine environment, meadows or to simply enjoy the street-sides to glimpse the fascinating views under the moonlight. 

Stunning Roads

Overnight camping in Ras Al Khaimah has become a renown winter activity. Over the years and during the winter, the number of families and youth groups have increased in camping zones and on both sides of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road to enjoy a cool atmosphere and away from everyday life stresses.

With the shift of some areas surrounding the dams to green, the market of tents, generators and firewood have seen a significant increase. National and foreign families youth groups have rushed to buy their equipment to enjoy their time in camping and ranches scattered throughout the Emirate, extending from the most northerly village of Sham to Al Munai down south.
However, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road is still the number-one destination for enthusiasts with temperatures continuously dropping throughout the night. Firewood stalls can be seen on both sides of the road with families and youth enjoying the gatherings and barbecues. Some families are even keen to set up tents acknowledging the safety and services provided by the concerned authorities in the Emirate.
The new natural areas in the Emirate’s southern regions, especially the Shawka Dam park and valleys are now being recognized as new tourist destinations where the green areas and wild plants turn the scenery into a painting. Jess Mountain is also in the forefront attracting, over the past two days alone, more than 35 thousand cars of families and tourists seeking to camp and enjoy the New Year celebrations.

Markets

RAK firewood shop-owners pointed out a rise in sales and strong demands during the open-air sessions.

Mohammed Al Basha, generator shop manager, also pointed out that the previous period has seen a large turnout by customers to buy generators and small lighting devices, which are easy to transfer to camping sites and ranches. On the other hand, owners of repair shops noted the increase in maintenance requests of small generators by 70%.

Inspection Campaigns

Brigadier Mohammed Abdullah Al Zaabi, Director of the RAK Civil Defense Department, in turn pointed to the continuation of periodic inspections on generator shops. The Civil Defense Department is also conducting awareness and education campaigns for families in the camping areas to ensure a high level of safety and remove violations that threaten public safety. In line with the campaign, the Department distribute fire extinguishers and trained campers on how to use them to avoid the risk of fire outbreaks and their consequences.”

Al Zaabi highlighted that all service departments in Ras Al Khaimah have combined their efforts to work as a team to ensure the safety of the community members. He then highlighted the importance of not storing cooking stoves or heat-producing devices inside the tents and the installation of generators at an appropriate distance in order to prevent the exhaust from entering the tents during sleep periods, which can lead to suffocation or even death. He then stressed that campers make sure to buy fire-resistant tents and hand extinguishers to prevent accidents.

Environmental Awareness

Ahmed Hamad Al Shehhi, General Services Consultant, Ras Al Khaimah General Services Department, said: "We have zero tolerance for environmental law breeches and those who insult the general and aesthetic appearance of the Emirate,” warning the reckless and irresponsible behavior of igniting charcoal on the sands in coastal areas or directly on the ground in camping sites. He then added: ""We do not ban barbecues in these natural areas. However, we do ban directly barbecuing on the sand and leaving coal and other residues that distort and negatively affect the aesthetic appearance of these areas,”

He pointed out that the environmental inspectors of the Raqeb (monitor) service, have a main task to raise environmental awareness among the community and involve them in the conservation of wild and natural areas, especially the summit of Jess Mountain, which witnessed a large turnout of families during the past two days to enjoy the atmosphere before heading to Al Marjan Island for the New Year celebrations.

The Emirate of Umm Al Quwain (UAQ) is witnessing an unusual rising in camping due to its moderate weather. The areas of Al Abraq and Al Thenia have witnessed a large number of vacationers seeking to spend time on land and therefore have been allocated from Umm Al Quwain Municipality for camping in accordance with conditions and controls, most notably not being rented or used by others and abide to the law, customs and traditions of the Emirate.

Warning Signs

“Many are heading to UAQ for recreation, while others are heading to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road where they are parking their cars in a violating manner despite the warning signs demanding them not to stand for long periods, which could lead to fatal accidents. Patrols are seeking out violators. I urge everyone to obey the laws in order to maintain public safety and avoid accidents -especially - to those located in the desert. Brochures have also been distributed to educate vacationers.” said Lt. Colonel Saeed Obaid bin Aran, Director of Traffic and Patrols Department of the UAQ Police.”

Fines

Director General of the Department Of Works And Public Services Umm Al Quwain, Mr. Musabih Hameed said: “There are many people relaxing on land for a number of hours and then leave behind a lot of waste, which is a negative impact on the environment. The Department will impose the fines prescribed by the law on individuals who do so. It has also distributed leaflets in Arabic, English and Urdu on those located on the roads, residents and company and factory owners alerting them to the need to throw away waste and garbage in their allocated places. In addition to the negative environmental impact, the waste might cause diseases that might impose a threat to their lives and distort the general Emirate’s appearance. Fines start from AED 1000 and can reach AED 10 thousand. Therefore, I adjure everyone to abstain throwing or leaving waste on the roads and place them in their allocated places.” 

Offerings

Commercial stores and markets in Ajman and Umm Al Quwain began have begun to showcase their products for land trips, including firewood, which varies in price from one place to another according to the quality and quantity. Where the value of a single package is AED 20 in Ajman and 15 dirhams in Umm Al Quwain - especially – campfire wood. Thus according to Faraisi, a firewood vendor in the Ajman Popular Market, the price of a firewood package in the Ajman market varies according to two main factors; the quantity and type and the supply and demand. A package of 3 pieces sells from AED 3 to 20. Similar to the wood, grills also vary in price according to their type. Gas grills range between AED 75-80, while those that do not work on gas are about AED 25.” 

Tranquility

According to Abu Mansour from Umm Al Quwain, there are a plenty areas in Umm Al Quwain that feature tranquility and exquisiteness, including the areas of Al Aqran and Al Thenia where he always visits with his family to escape the city’s noisiness. He also pointed out that is an obvious rise in firewood prices as a result to the exploitation of some traders thus manipulating types and prices by selling low-end wood that does not help in igniting a fire.
Abu Mansour also highlighted that some Asian wood traders are tampering with the firewood by inserting non-flammable or moist wood within the camp-fire package to rapid profiteering.

My Safe Tent

UAQ Municipality and the Department of Civil Defense are working to raise the awareness through frequent visits to the campsites allocated by the Umm Al Quwain Municipality. My Safe Tent campaign was organized for owners of temporary winter campgrounds, during which fire extinguishers and educational and awareness pamphlets on how to use fire extinguishers and camping conditions and controls were distributed to the vacationers of 40 separate campsites in Al Aqran and Al Thenia campsites and ranches in Al Surra.”