DUBAI: The Emirates Scout Association, represented by its Planning and Logistics Support Committee, announced the completion of the construction of its 33rd Arab Scout Camp.
The camp is scheduled from 15th to 25th December at the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve in Dubai, under the theme, ‘Scouting: A Sustainable Approach.’
Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, the camp is the largest event in the history of Arab scout camps.
The association collaborated closely with the ‘Arab Scout Organisation – Arab Scout Region’ to organise the camp.
Mohammed Al Rida, Assistant General Camp Leader, explained the six-month planning process conducted by field teams to ensure the camp’s readiness and adherence to construction schedules, noting that the committee’s efforts focussed on utilising sustainable energy sources within the camp and employing energy-efficient lighting and water desalination filters.
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tention was devoted to aligning the campsite with construction requirements and environmental sustainability. Scout engineering teams were deployed to establish the fundamental groundwork and ensure compliance with the Dubai Municipality’s building codes and the specifications of the surrounding reserve.
Minimising environmental impact within the reserve, waste management, and recycling were also focal points in collaboration with the Dubai Municipality and companies specialising in plastic and paper development.
The overall camp design is aimed at ensuring harmony with the aesthetics of the Al Marmoom Reserve, with tents having colours that blend with the surrounding nature, Al Rida added, noting that renewable energy, such as solar power for lighting and operating certain equipment, was incorporated in collaboration with the Dubai Municipality and the environmental and agricultural management company.
The committee worked alongside the Dubai Municipality, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA),
the Dubai Civil Defence, the Dubai Police, the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance, and many strategic partners to implement the project under joint efforts aimed at building a scout camp that meets international and local standards, he further added.
He then highlighted the wide array of environmental principles integrated into the camp, ranging from renewable energy use, such as solar power, to efficient waste management and recycling, as well as employing green construction practices and sustainable materials to minimise the environmental impact. Additionally, plans were drafted for sustainable and efficient water and energy usage within the camp.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to reducing energy consumption and relying on renewable energy within the camp in collaboration with the Dubai Municipality.
Anticipated as a pioneering model of sustainability and environmental planning, the 33rd Arab Scout Camp will contribute significantly to raising environmental awareness and preserving the region’s aes
thetics due to the collaborative efforts of the committee and the project’s partners, which focussed on implementing the principles of environmental responsibility and sustainability across all the camp’s aspects.
The camp will enhance environmental awareness among visitors and participants, offering educational opportunities about environmental issues, the significance of biodiversity conservation, and preserving the Al Marmoom Reserve’s aesthetics.
Interactive activities and workshops will promote deeper understanding and participation in addressing regional environmental challenges and encouraging environmental responsibility among the public. It will also be an inspiring model for other environmental projects, reflecting the region’s commitment to preserving its natural beauty and achieving sustainable development.
Source: Emirates News Agency