**5.3 The Southern coastline**

210 Studies on Environmental and Applied Geomorphology

Tarut Bay has been recognized as a landscape that requires protection, but still allows access for public

Map 12. Mangrove Areas in Tarut Bay with Mangrove at Risk in Red

use (IUCNR/MEPA, 1987).

Unlike the northern and central coastlines, the southern coastline is mostly undeveloped and has less anthropogenic impacts. As such, the southern part of the Saudi coastline has been recommended as a nature reserve by the Saudi Wildlife Commission (Map 15). There has been some limited development at the northern end of this area such as at Qurayyah and Half Moon Bay consisting of salt water injection plants, power stations, desalination plants and recreation facilities. These facilities are relatively small in scale and scattered along the coast. They are required to support existing infrastructure within the central coastline areas around Dammam.

As a result of the areas relative pristine condition, wildlife extensively utilizes the coastal and marine areas of the southern region, with large bird populations inhabiting Zakhnuniyah and Judhaym Islands. These islands are of international significance as breeding sites for Socotra cormorant *(Phalacrocorax nigrogularis*), and it is important that these islands be given protection from development or disturbance. The Gulf of Salwa is known as one of the most important sites in the world for the endangered dugong (*Dugong dugon*), with this area containing significant seagrass habitat that enables the largest known single congregation of dugongs ever observed to exist in this area. Map 15 illustrates the reservation proposals from the Saudi Wildlife Commission for the Eastern Province including this important part of the Gulf coastline.

Al Uqair is a unique coastal port occurring on the coast of the Gulf of Salwa. The area has significant heritage sites of regional importance, consisting of an old trading fort and customs house area. This Port was once the major trading point from the Eastern Province to the then known world. In contrast to the high salinity of the Gulf of Salwa, the area contains fresh water springs with associated freshwater vegetation and fish inhabiting these areas. The area is also surrounded by sand dunes and has been recently proposed as a major tourist development site by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities. In keeping with the Commission's philosophy the area's cultural and natural heritage should also be conserved as part of this development.

Ras Abu Qameess is the most isolated Gulf coastline of the Kingdom located between the United Arab Emirates and Qatar borders along the southern Gulf coastline. This rocky headland is in pristine natural condition and contains rich intertidal coastal rocky habitats, a large breeding population of Osprey (*Pandion haliaetus*) and Sooty Falcons (*Falco concolor*) and significant numbers of dugong (*Dugong dugon*). There has been little development along this coastline. There are no major coastal encroachments and it has been recommended by the Saudi Wildlife Commission that a conservation reserve be established to protect this unique coastline in its natural condition (see Map 15 in Section 6.3).

## **6. Remediation programs**

#### **6.1 Coastal habitat restoration programs**

Mangrove habitats have been the main focus for coastal restoration programs along the Gulf coast because they are an important intertidal habitat that is under threat from land development. It is estimated that 90% of the original mangrove ecosystems along the Gulf coast have been lost mostly as a result of coastal urban development. The current estimate of

Anthropogenic Induced Geomorphological Change Along the Western Arabian Gulf Coast 213

areas where natural habitats dominate and wildlife populations flourish. The establishment of these reservations is required urgently if these areas's current values are to be protected

Map 13. Saudi Wildlife Commission Marine Sanctuary Reservation Proposal for Jubail.

There have been a number of government initiatives to protect the environment. The establishment of the Presidency for Meteorology and Environment (PME) has provided a guiding vehicle for legislation. Key documents such as the General Environmental Law, with rules for implementation and environmental protection standards provide guidance on protecting the environment (PME, 2004). The environmental law anticipates that the PME will liaise with other public authorities regarding the development and enforcement of environmental issues. The Saudi Wildlife Commission has created landmark documents such as the First Saudi Arabian National Report on the Convention of Biological Diversity. Saudi Arabia has also completed a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for the Country. There are 10 separate legislative acts dealing with the protection of the environment (AbuZinada et al. 2004). The Fishing Exploitation and Protection of Live Aquatic Resources in the Territorial Waters of Saudi Arabia Act – 1987, the Wildlife Protected Areas Act – 1995 and the Environmental Code – 2002 are relevant to the marine

**6.4 Environmental legislation and law enforcement** 

indefinately.

mangrove habitat within the Saudi Arabian territories of the Gulf is 412 ha, comprising 55 ha of plantation. Over the last few decades, influential private sector companies in association with partners such as the Ministry of Agriculture, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Commission for Wildlife Conservation and local schools have been establishing mangrove plantations in the Eastern Province. The growth in some plantations has been promising and has resulted in private sector companies embarking on comprehensive mangrove restoration programs that include establishing strategic mangrove nurseries and plantation sites along the Eastern Province coastline. Restoration of mangroves needs to be undertaken on a large coordinated scale over an extended period and could also be supported by other industry and business in the region. Without this work there is a distinct possibility that mangroves would become locally extinct due to continuing development pressure.

#### **6.2 Environmental awareness and public participation**

The concept of public involvement with the management and conservation of the environment has been promoted as a potential solution to some environmental problems. Current public anti-littering and recycling campaigns, mangrove plantation programs and coastal clean-up events are examples of how the public can participate in protecting their environment. Environmental awareness requires a consistent and prolonged program of environmental education through the public schooling system. These topics need to be incorporated into the curriculum with teachers being trained (train the trainer) and students being assessed on their knowledge regarding their environment and their responsibilities towards protecting it. The goal should be on changing current behavior patterns that are not environmentally friendly. These same programs need to have a public focus, and the existing media sector is capable of achieving results that have proven successful for commercial marketing, by using national sport and entertainment personalities to promote good environmental behavior. As the majority of the Saudi population is under 25 years of age, these programs could very quickly change the environmental awareness within the Kingdom, with the same approach having proved successful in other countries. Public recognition of individual and community environmental achievements is also important to reinforce environmental responsibility, and government departments, educational institutions and private companies should all be encouraged to promote environmental champion programs among their respective staff and students.

#### **6.3 Reservation proposals**

Maps 13, 14 and 15 indicate the areas along the Arabian Gulf coastline that have been recommended for conservation. Some areas in the north and central regions such as Jubail and Tarut Bay have been nominated for multiple use reservations where sustainable utilization of the natural resources can continue along with the protection of the environmental, cultural and economic values of these areas. This is particularly true for the mainland coastal areas where there has been a long history of human settlement and natural resource exploitation. The offshore islands in the northern region are however designated due to their biodiversity value, with these areas being major centres of marine biodiversity in the region. Reservations in the southern region such as those proposed for the Gulf of Salwa and Ras Abu Qameess are nominated because these areas represent the last large

mangrove habitat within the Saudi Arabian territories of the Gulf is 412 ha, comprising 55 ha of plantation. Over the last few decades, influential private sector companies in association with partners such as the Ministry of Agriculture, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Commission for Wildlife Conservation and local schools have been establishing mangrove plantations in the Eastern Province. The growth in some plantations has been promising and has resulted in private sector companies embarking on comprehensive mangrove restoration programs that include establishing strategic mangrove nurseries and plantation sites along the Eastern Province coastline. Restoration of mangroves needs to be undertaken on a large coordinated scale over an extended period and could also be supported by other industry and business in the region. Without this work there is a distinct possibility that mangroves would become locally extinct due to

The concept of public involvement with the management and conservation of the environment has been promoted as a potential solution to some environmental problems. Current public anti-littering and recycling campaigns, mangrove plantation programs and coastal clean-up events are examples of how the public can participate in protecting their environment. Environmental awareness requires a consistent and prolonged program of environmental education through the public schooling system. These topics need to be incorporated into the curriculum with teachers being trained (train the trainer) and students being assessed on their knowledge regarding their environment and their responsibilities towards protecting it. The goal should be on changing current behavior patterns that are not environmentally friendly. These same programs need to have a public focus, and the existing media sector is capable of achieving results that have proven successful for commercial marketing, by using national sport and entertainment personalities to promote good environmental behavior. As the majority of the Saudi population is under 25 years of age, these programs could very quickly change the environmental awareness within the Kingdom, with the same approach having proved successful in other countries. Public recognition of individual and community environmental achievements is also important to reinforce environmental responsibility, and government departments, educational institutions and private companies should all be encouraged to promote environmental

Maps 13, 14 and 15 indicate the areas along the Arabian Gulf coastline that have been recommended for conservation. Some areas in the north and central regions such as Jubail and Tarut Bay have been nominated for multiple use reservations where sustainable utilization of the natural resources can continue along with the protection of the environmental, cultural and economic values of these areas. This is particularly true for the mainland coastal areas where there has been a long history of human settlement and natural resource exploitation. The offshore islands in the northern region are however designated due to their biodiversity value, with these areas being major centres of marine biodiversity in the region. Reservations in the southern region such as those proposed for the Gulf of Salwa and Ras Abu Qameess are nominated because these areas represent the last large

continuing development pressure.

**6.3 Reservation proposals** 

**6.2 Environmental awareness and public participation** 

champion programs among their respective staff and students.

areas where natural habitats dominate and wildlife populations flourish. The establishment of these reservations is required urgently if these areas's current values are to be protected indefinately.

Map 13. Saudi Wildlife Commission Marine Sanctuary Reservation Proposal for Jubail.

## **6.4 Environmental legislation and law enforcement**

There have been a number of government initiatives to protect the environment. The establishment of the Presidency for Meteorology and Environment (PME) has provided a guiding vehicle for legislation. Key documents such as the General Environmental Law, with rules for implementation and environmental protection standards provide guidance on protecting the environment (PME, 2004). The environmental law anticipates that the PME will liaise with other public authorities regarding the development and enforcement of environmental issues. The Saudi Wildlife Commission has created landmark documents such as the First Saudi Arabian National Report on the Convention of Biological Diversity. Saudi Arabia has also completed a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for the Country. There are 10 separate legislative acts dealing with the protection of the environment (AbuZinada et al. 2004). The Fishing Exploitation and Protection of Live Aquatic Resources in the Territorial Waters of Saudi Arabia Act – 1987, the Wildlife Protected Areas Act – 1995 and the Environmental Code – 2002 are relevant to the marine

Anthropogenic Induced Geomorphological Change Along the Western Arabian Gulf Coast 215

any new developments, and an approval process (Committee of Four - Royal Decree 982/M 15/9/1419H) for any projects (particularly land filling) in the coastal zone. This Committee of Four consists of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Coast Guard, PME, and

Map 15. Proposed Saudi Wildlife Commission Conservation Reservations for the Eastern

This Chapter reports the rapid change from 1967 for the Arabian Gulf coastline of Saudi Arabia and highlights the development trends and land use changes until 2010 within the

**7. Conclusions and conservation recommendations** 

Ministry of Agriculture.

Province

Map 14. Proposed Saudi Wildlife Commission Reservation Area for Tarut Bay

environment. There are prescribed prison sentences and fines for breaches of these acts (Evans and Abuleif, 2003). The National Coastal Zone Management Plan (NCZMP) is based on work undertaken by the PME and International Union for the Conservation of Natural Resources (IUCNR) in 1987 where Coastal Zone Management Programs were produced for the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf (NCWCD, 2004). The plans were submitted for approval in 2003 (AbuZinada et al. 2004). The Gulf coastline has some of the most unique and productive habitats in the region and the Kingdom has appropriate legislation in place to protect it including a coastal setback policy of 400m (Royal Decree 1004 20/1/1419H) for

Map 14. Proposed Saudi Wildlife Commission Reservation Area for Tarut Bay

environment. There are prescribed prison sentences and fines for breaches of these acts (Evans and Abuleif, 2003). The National Coastal Zone Management Plan (NCZMP) is based on work undertaken by the PME and International Union for the Conservation of Natural Resources (IUCNR) in 1987 where Coastal Zone Management Programs were produced for the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf (NCWCD, 2004). The plans were submitted for approval in 2003 (AbuZinada et al. 2004). The Gulf coastline has some of the most unique and productive habitats in the region and the Kingdom has appropriate legislation in place to protect it including a coastal setback policy of 400m (Royal Decree 1004 20/1/1419H) for any new developments, and an approval process (Committee of Four - Royal Decree 982/M 15/9/1419H) for any projects (particularly land filling) in the coastal zone. This Committee of Four consists of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Coast Guard, PME, and Ministry of Agriculture.

Map 15. Proposed Saudi Wildlife Commission Conservation Reservations for the Eastern Province
