What's Happening to my Favourite Camping Spot?

We camped last weekend in an area NW of Dhaid near Falaj al Moalla in Umm al Quwain. Driving across the desert we came across a bunch of site offices and a huge pile of rebar in the middle of nowhere. In the morning we spotted a group of surveyors with their theodolites on the crest of one of the nearby dunes.

Looks like another beautiful part of the wilderness is about to be dug up to make way for yet another development that no one wants or needs. *sigh*.

Any one here know what is happening out there?

Thanks,

Ski Jebel Hafeet?

Has anyone heard anything about this?

Controversial plans to build an indoor ski slope on the highest peak in Abu Dhabi are being considered by local developer Tamouh Investments, as part of a major mixed-used development...

The project is controversial as it will radically alter the appearance of Jebel Hafeet...

Although the scheme will use the natural slope of the mountain, it will still require substantial work to alter the profile of the mountainside.

The developer hopes that the ski slope will meet criteria for Olympic events, creating a year-round training facility for top-class skiing.

The whole article is subscription only, but a copy of it can be found elsewhere.

I'm already on record at my blog that Jebel Hafeet should be left alone, but this seems beyond belief.

Now it's The Universe

The world wasn't big enough for Nakheel - they've just announced 'The Universe', a huge new offshore development.

There's not a lot of information yet but they say it will take 15 to 20 years to complete, will add 3,000 hecares of new land and it will stretch from Palm Jumeirah to Port Rashid, running between The World and the mainland.

Beach development is still happening...

I've been posting on my blog for a while about the beach development next to Burj Al Arab - the fence going up, then the press announcement of the development, then Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid's order for construction to stop.

I've also talked about the mysterious offshore work that didn't stop, as has NZM at M&J Adventures. She has some good photos of the work boats in action.

Yesterday morning an island had appeared out of the sea - this morning I took these photos from the sea wall around Umm Suqeim Fishing Port.

The fence has gone from around the beach sure enough, but the Boskalis dredging company's semi-permanent construction site offices are in place adjacent to the port, the dredgers are working and there is now an island which wasn't there three days ago.

I can't imagine that Sheikh Mohammed's order would not be obeyed, so what's going on?

Beach update - it couldn't be worse.

I wrote on my blog yesterday about the mysterious construction fence which was being built along Jumeirah Beach (which Samuraisam kindly linked to this blog - below).







My worst fears about it have been confirmed.

Just read what the press release in the papers today says:

Zabeel Investments has begun work on a new 4.5 million square foot coastal development on Jumeirah Beach in Umm Suqueim.

"The unique mixed-use development will comprise residential, commercial and hospitality facilities reflecting a beachfront lifestyle."

We have appointed a renowned master planner and architect who is putting together final touches to plans that will be one of the best that Dubai has seen."

The development will add to the existing beachside environment, which is synonymous with new developments in the UAE.

"The new project will further extend Dubai's coastline and provide additional opportunities for the beachfront lifestyle."

So there we have it. The standard press release phrases, and as usual not quite telling it like it is. This is not 'adding to the existing beachside environment' but taking it away.


Development gone mad. Taking away one of Dubai's major tourism assets, depriving residents of one of our major relaxation areas.


The press release is in Gulf News here.

The beach is gone

Is the last 'free' part of the beach near the Burj Al Arab disappearing?
Read about it at Seabee's blog over here