An enhanced experience awaits campers and beach-goers at the Sealine and Inland Sea areas this winter season, organisers of the Al Enna project recently announced.

Al Enna – a Qatari word which means camping ground – is a development project launched to ensure campers and visitors to Sealine and Inland Sea can benefit from safe and enjoyable experiences while protecting the wildlife in the area and providing access to services and amenities.

Project partners include the Ministry of Municipality and Environment; the Ministry of Interior; Public Works Authority (Ashghal); Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA); Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF); Batabit (Qatar Centre for Motorcycles) and Mawater.

The Al Enna project follows two main tracks: the first will focus on enhancing the overall desert and camping experience for Qatar residents and visitors; the second track will focus on infrastructural development and extending basic services to 200 camp grounds in Sealine as part of a pilot phase of a broader development project.

Camping and More at Khor Al Adaid 

Khor Al Adaid is characterised by the beauty and diversity of its sand dunes. As one of the few rare places in the world where sand dunes meet the sea, Khor Al Adaid is a popular hotspot for residents and a must-visit for tourists.

An important element that will enhance the camping experience is designating a special zone for ATV sports, thereby ensuring the safety of visitors while at the same time protecting the campers’ privacy. The ATV sports zone will be built over an area of 300,000 square metres and will feature 28 motorcycle rental shops and eight ATV tracks – two for advanced riders, one for intermediate level riders, four for beginners and one for ladies only.

The indigenous flora and fauna will also be protected as dune bashing will be prohibited in areas with wildlife. The Ministry of Environment and Municipality will also introduce a wildlife nursery to reintroduce plant and animal populations affected by previous camping seasons within a fenced area spanning 326,000 square metres.

Plastic materials in restaurants and cafes will be banned and recycling services will be provided.

 

A Special Sealine Beach Experience

Sealine Beach will see major developments over an area that can accommodate up to 15,000 people. This includes creating shaded areas, opening cafés and restaurants as well as designating a special area for families and a separate area for children. Fitness machines and equipment will be installed for water and beach sports such as football and volleyball.

An entertainment zone which will include a theatre, will also be constructed to host cultural activities and events – such as poetry nights – during weekends. In keeping with Qatar’s cultural heritage, design will draw inspiration from the surrounding area’s natural features.

Omar Al Jaber, QTA representative and official spokesperson of Al Enna Project said the project is a first step in the comprehensive development of the Sealine area, and part of QTA’s efforts to achieve the objectives of the Next Chapter of the National Tourism Sector Strategy 2018-2023.

This project came after consultation with a number of stakeholders. We also conducted a field survey of the ​​Sealine area to get a holistic view on the scale and scope of the project.’

Stakeholders

Ashghal recently started developing a new road to connect motorists to the Sealine beach, expected to be completed by November this year. The road will conclude with parking spaces and service roads. Another road will take motorists from Endurance Roundabout all the way to Signature Dune. Ashghal will begin working on it in the first quarter of 2019, with completion expected in the third quarter of the year. The road will help motorists reach the Inland Sea area. These roads will be connected to Doha via the G-ring road, also currently under construction.

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment will do their part following their mandate to protect the country from environmental degradation, particularly those of tourism and environmental significance. Preserving the Khor Al Adaid region’s ecosystems plays an important role in balancing the country’s biodiversity as well as in supporting local wildlife and migrating birds.

Salem Hussein Al Safran, Assistant Director of the Natural Reserves Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, urges visitors to support their effort in preserving country’s natural environment, especially with the start of the upcoming winter camping season.

The 2018/19 season will be different than any other especially with the launch of Al Enna, according to Lieutenant Colonel Yousef Mohammed Al Obaidli from the Ministry of Interior. He said the South Security Department is working closely with the committee in charge of desert camping to provide security checks and raise awareness on safe practices. Civil defence, ambulances and patrols will also be in the area to respond quickly in case of incidents.

Other stakeholders see the project as an opportunity to overcome challenges, safeguard the environment and encourage safety, especially for off-road driving. Mawater General Coordinator Abdelrahman Al Hajri said none of their initiatives can have real impact without all partners coming together and providing support.

The winter camping season in Qatar begins this year on 1 November and continues until 31 March 2019. For updates and more information about the Al Enna Project, check out the QTA website at visitqatar.qa.