WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOOSTS ECOTOURISM
13 Jun 2018
In a bid to boost wildlife conservation and ecotourism, plans for a series of self-sustaining biodomes to be erected in the United Arab Emirates has been released that could provide new opportunities for the region.
Unveiled by Baharash Architecture, the new biodome wildlife conservation centre, in addition to the boost to ecotourism, aims to conserve the mountainous regions of UAE, which are home to rare species of Arabian wildlife.
The biodomes will be located in the Al Hajar Mountains, the eastern region of UAE, and will provide facilities for a wildlife conservation centre as well as an adventure-based wilderness retreat. 
Baharash architecture has been challenged to design three self-sustaining biodomes, which would easy to assemble on site and provide visitors with a unique experience and a sense of being outside, in nature. The pieces are made of prefabricated parts, while some of their environmental features include 100 percent renewable energy, onsite wastewater recycling for irrigation and onsite waste management.
The semi-subterranean typology will provide passive cooling benefits and the internal environment is designed to provide restorative and therapeutic benefits. The bioclimatic indoor environments offer thermal comfort for visitors to ensure a comfortable experience. 
The project aims to champion ecotourism, which brings many benefits to host communities while also enhancing travelers’ experience. The visitor experience is designed to be in harmony with nature. In addition, visitors can also enjoy organic local cuisine in the restaurant which offers amazing views of the beautiful landscape. Onsite organic allotments provide fresh produce for the restaurant. 
Ecotourism can increase employment and provide long-term income-earning opportunities for locals, can help to conserve natural heritage, biodiversity, and local ecosystems. The biodomes will also raise awareness on the importance of mountain biodiversity through educational programs. 
Given that the travel and tourism industry is expected to continue growing faster than the global economy and most other major industries, shifting the balance towards sustainable tourism has become a necessity for UAE.
The Biodomes: Wildlife Conservation Centre from Baharash on Vimeo.
