About ecotourism (page 1 of 2)

Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well being of local people is what ecotourism is really about. Low-impact. Appreciation of nature. Conservation of the resource on which tourism is based. And, benefits to local people. These are the components of real ecotourism.

Mountain Extreme, an outfit that takes groups hiking, biking and climbing in the rocky terrain of Ras Al Khaimah, is about as close as one can get to ecotourism in the UAE or, perhaps, the region.

An Arabian mountain experience

In Ras Al Khaimah, the northernmost emirate of UAE, stands the Ru'us al Jibal mountain range with its varied habitats and spectacular scenery. Rare Arabian wildlife species seek refuge in this range, including the Arabian leopard (perhaps!), Arabian tahr, caracal lynx and Blanford's fox.

The activities of Mountain Extreme take place in a triangular portion of Ru'us al Jibal extending from a wadi ecosystem at the base and climbing up to a plateau, where terraced fields of barley, and stone houses of the Shihu tribe are located. Further up are craggy summits, which the eco-tourists scale.

Some years ago, John Falchetto, founder of Mountain Extreme, set up a camp here to cater to adventurers seeking a refreshing experience in a truly natural environment; or, for that matter, undertaking intense, stress-relieving physical activity. Among his guests are some who yearn to get away from cinemas, shopping malls, cars and other frills of urban life. Still others wish to get a feel of real Arabia - the land, tribes, lives and livelihoods - outside of built-up areas.

"We take small groups of no more than 10 people at a time during the season - October to May of each year" says Falchetto. "While hiking, they follow the old trails laid out by the Shihu tribe."

Low impact tourism

Stone houses in old Shihu settlements (now deserted by local inhabitants) serve as campsites for the Mountain Extreme trekkers, who must foot it to camp from the wadi at the base.

Once up there, the philosophy is LNT - leave no trace. No littering, only disposing waste in a proper manner, not wandering off the beaten track, and causing no disturbance to wildlife are the basic principles adhered to.

"We distribute leaflets to all our guests about our LNT policy, which they appreciate," says Falchetto. "Most have a respect for the natural environment."

What about utilities? Solar panels have been installed to meet lighting needs. Gas cylinders and bottled water are carried up on donkeys while, outdoors, an ancient covered pool collects natural runoff to irrigate indigenous trees planted by Mountain Extreme around their cap site.

Mud plastered on the stone house rooftops provides excellent insulation against cold and heat. And, what is more, the wooden ceiling uses FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) wood!

FSC is currently the only certification system for improved forest management worldwide. Through the FSC trademark the public has a way of identifying that the wood they are purchasing has been harvested legally and is managed according to internationally agreed social and environmental principles and criteria. The FSC timber certification is endorsed by the WWF and other respected environmental non-governmental organisations.

"I was pleased to find wood stamped with the FSC symbol with a supplier in Ras Al Khaimah.