| RSCN to Kate 20th March 2002 |
| Dear Kate Thank you for allowing RSCN to clarify and explain about Wadi Rum future managment plans. I explained to Tony in the previous e-mail RSCN' role in Rum and the relation with ASEZA, it is not the ideal situation but RSCN is trying to influence their decisions in Rum but we are not the only descion makers of the site. The site is under full authority of Aqaba Special Economic > Zone Authority (ASEZA) and they contracted RSCN to develop the management of the site and implement the world bank project for a limited period (until June 2003) and we will handover the site to ASEZA to continue managing it. ASEZA appointed a protected area manger who has a full authority by the law to implement the regulations of the protected area and RSCN has no authority over that, so RSCN doesnąt work alone in the protected area and our decisions are subjected to change by ASEZA, nevertheless, RSCN is trying its best to manage the site in the best way and try to pass the right decisions through ASEZA but it is not easy at all. The area manager who is appointed by ASEZA is Ahmed Jabri and his e mail is jabriahmad@hotmail.com. I want to stress one important point that RSCN is trying to develop the managment of Rum through dircet involvement and cooperation with local beduins and we do not mind to change any plan if the local people do not like it becuse it is at the end of the day their site and they will help in implimentation of these plans. Local people were involved in developing the Zonning scheme for the site, defining camaping areas, defining climbing areas developing the managment system for cars and camels. Climbing is allowed in all existing areas of climbing (No major change in that). It is allowed also fro climbers to camp in the climbing area but they have to make sure that they are abide by the general regualtions of the protected area which again Tony had sent to us (like no harming of animals, no cutting of green trees, camping in areas away from birds nests ..etc). > Camping regulations doesnąt stop people camping in the protected area but > allocate sites for people to set up their tents and the same for other > regulations. The areas defind for camaping are the same areas which currently used, so again no major cahnges, it will be allowed to camp in the Wadi near the resthouse so do not worry. RSCN is proposing a network of tracks in Wadi Rum which reaches all the major attraction point in Rum. RSCN suggested to ASEZA that these tracks will be only graded by a grdaer without adding any meterials to get ride of all ruttleing problems in existing tracks which force bediuns to drive in the desert and create to many tracks. Hiring of guides is allowed out of the rotataion system in on condition that the guide prove by fax that he is pre booked before 48 hours, otjer wise the vistsor will go through the rotataion system, (This system was also agreed with the local guides to make things more fare between them and aknowldge the skillful guides). Thanks agian for you support for Rum and its people and i will be ready to answer any question about Rum in the future. Yehya Khaled Director of Conservation |