| Letter from Edward to RSCN |
| Edward Arthur Huyton The Director RSCN 11th January 2002 Dear Sir, I recently visited Jordan, which I found to be a beautiful and friendly country, especially in Wadi Rum. I understand that the RSCN is the organisation which manages the National Parks in Jordan, and that Wadi Rum is proposed for National Park status. I am most impressed that a relatively poor country such as Jordan is trying to protect it's natural and architectural heritage in this way. However, I heard some rather worrying things about new regulations which are planned for Wadi Rum. This is based on what I was told by local people, as I could not get confirmation of the facts from your office in Rum village. Perhaps you could let me know the true situation as far as plans and proposals for future rules and regulations - maybe even send me any proposals which are currently under discussion ? (If it is necessary to pay for these documents, I would be happy to do so.) I can see that some sort of restriction on numbers of visitors may be needed at peak periods, as I believe it gets very busy - although it was quiet during my visit. I can see that tourist vehicles may need to be banned from the desert and only the local people allowed to drive there. I can see that it would be better to ask (local)vehicles to use one main track down each wadi, rather than the present "braided" tracks. I can see that construction needs to be banned outside of the immediate area of the present Rum village. I can see that some visitors need to be educated not to leave rubbish and graffitti, and not to damage plants by collecting firewood. Presumably this will be done at the new visitors' centre which is under construction. (Even so, some form of regular rubbish clean up will certainly be needed.) I can also see that some tourists need to be educated about appropriate ways to dress and behave, respecting the beliefs and customs of local people - and hope that this too will be done at the visitors' centre. However, I have heard that restrictions are being planned on camping in the desert. There was talk of setting up large, organised camps for tourists. This is not what I would want to come to Wadi Rum to experience. Surely short-term wild camping and bivouacking in the desert, properly dealt with, is less environmentally damaging than large camps which require facilities such as water supply and waste disposal ? There was also talk of restricting visitors' access to some areas. I appreciate the need for protection, but access on foot does not have a high impact - amd surely the whole principle of a national park is that there should be public access to the resource, not that it should be protected behind bars ? Most worryingly of all, there does not seem to be a clear committment to protect the traditional rights and lifestyle of the local people. Their right to move freely about the desert, and to graze their animals, is surely paramount ? This is after all THEIR land, as recognised by international law. For myself, and I think for many other visitors to Wadi Rum, the experience of meeting the local Beduin is the thing which gives meaning to the whole visit. I feel that I have made friends here, and will come back. Without the local people, the place would be nothing - there are many other deserts to visit. I do hope that you will take my comments into consideration. I would, as I said earlier, also appreciate very much if you could send me any documents on your proposals, so that I can see whether what is being discussed locally is an accurate reflection of your proposals. Thank you in advance. Yours faithfully, Edward A Huyton Sent on the 11th January 2002, this letter has not yet (14th February 2002) received a reply. |