Heritage Rangers’ visitor-guide team helping preserve AlUla’s rich past, historic sites

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Heritage rangers provide in-depth knowledge on the natural and cultural highlights of alula’s historical and archaeological sites. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
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Heritage rangers provide in-depth knowledge on the natural and cultural highlights of alula’s historical and archaeological sites. (Supplied)
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Heritage rangers provide in-depth knowledge on the natural and cultural highlights of alula’s historical and archaeological sites. (Supplied)
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Heritage rangers provide in-depth knowledge on the natural and cultural highlights of alula’s historical and archaeological sites. (Supplied)
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Heritage rangers provide in-depth knowledge on the natural and cultural highlights of alula’s historical and archaeological sites. (Supplied)
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Heritage rangers provide in-depth knowledge on the natural and cultural highlights of alula’s historical and archaeological sites. (Supplied)
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Heritage rangers provide in-depth knowledge on the natural and cultural highlights of alula’s historical and archaeological sites. (Supplied)
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Heritage rangers provide in-depth knowledge on the natural and cultural highlights of alula’s historical and archaeological sites. (Supplied)
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Heritage rangers provide in-depth knowledge on the natural and cultural highlights of alula’s historical and archaeological sites. (Supplied)
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Heritage rangers provide in-depth knowledge on the natural and cultural highlights of alula’s historical and archaeological sites. (Supplied)
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Updated 21 September 2023
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Heritage Rangers’ visitor-guide team helping preserve AlUla’s rich past, historic sites

  • Trfan Al-Khamali, the rangers’ team leader, told Arab News: “Heritage Rangers is a team composed of specialists and experts in heritage and antiquities

MAKKAH: A specially trained team of Heritage Rangers is playing its part in promoting and preserving AlUla’s historic sites.

The Royal Commission for AlUla’s crack group of visitor guides provides in-depth knowledge on the natural and cultural highlights of the area.




Heritage rangers provide in-depth knowledge on the natural and cultural highlights of alula’s historical and archaeological sites. (Supplied)

Trfan Al-Khamali, the rangers’ team leader, told Arab News: “Heritage Rangers is a team composed of specialists and experts in heritage and antiquities.

“Established by the Royal Commission for AlUla in 2018, our mission is to cater to archaeological sites and their visitors, who come from all corners of the world, including Saudi visitors.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Heritage Rangers team was established by the Royal Commission for AlUla in 2018.

• The commission had a five-year plan in place to train and upskill teams.

He noted that while some tourists were avid history buffs others had little knowledge about the conservation work that was taking place in the desert area’s natural and archaeological sites.

He said: “We provide instructions at the entrances and exits of these historical and archaeological sites, especially since they may be susceptible to deterioration.




Heritage rangers provide in-depth knowledge on the natural and cultural highlights of alula’s historical and archaeological sites. (Supplied)

“Every conceivable effort must be made to preserve this human heritage, ensuring it remains a significant testament for future generations.”

He pointed out that the commission had a five-year plan in place to train and upskill teams to deal with the millions of tourists expected to visit AlUla over the coming years.




Trfan Al-Khamali, Heritage Rangers team leader

He described the Heritage Rangers as “heroes” in defending the cultural and historical heritage of the area.

“We take pride in this remarkable team and in contributing to the preservation of our past and rich history,” he added.

Every conceivable effort must be made to preserve this human heritage, ensuring it remains a significant testament for future generations.

Trfan Al-Khamali, Heritage Rangers team leader

The Heritage Rangers were also involved in raising awareness about AlUla among the local population.

David Vela, a former US national park service director, said the fundamental duty of any park ranger was to serve and protect.




Heritage rangers provide in-depth knowledge on the natural and cultural highlights of alula’s historical and archaeological sites. (Supplied)

“There is no question in my mind that the leadership team here on the ground is committed to doing that and assessing every opportunity to talk to people to explore new ideas to make that happen.

“Park rangers around the world have a consistent mission and message, and that is to protect their nations, their Kingdom, their world’s history, their heritage, but most important of all, the stories that they can save for posterity, but especially for younger generations yet to come,” he added.

The rebirth of AlUla
Hegra, ancient city of the Nabataeans in Saudi Arabia’s historic AlUla Valley, is emerging from the mists of time to take its rightful place as one of the wonders of the world

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Updated 30 November 2023
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Arab-Islamic ministerial committee meets at UN headquarters to discuss Gaza war

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  • Ministers call for lasting peace, implementation of two-state solution

RIYADH: A ministerial committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit held a meeting on Wednesday at the UN headquarters in New York, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

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The agenda focused on recent events in Gaza, including the outcomes of the humanitarian truce for Palestinian prisoners and efforts to achieve a ceasefire.

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The ministers reiterated their call for lasting peace through the implementation of resolutions supporting a two-state solution and the creation of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

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Ahmed Al-Shammari has been the general manager of marketing and communications at the National Gas and Industrialization Co. in Riyadh since October this year.

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In 2022, he was director of corporate communications at Saudi Mining Services Co., ESNAD.

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Updated 30 November 2023
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ALULA: More than 1,000 bicycles have been awarded to participants of road safety and cycling courses in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla to mark the opening of a new 45 km cycle path on Wednesday.

Members of the AlUla Cyclists Club made up just part of the 200-strong group of cyclists competing in a race as part of the ceremony, as well as people living locally, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.

There were also 150 students using paths designed to enhance the skills of cyclists at all levels. 

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Updated 30 November 2023
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RIYADH: A blooming impressive 5 million plants have been grown in the massive Red Sea Global nursery since it was launched three-years-ago.

Currently running at full capacity, the announcement puts the 1 million square meter nursery – the region’s biggest - on course to producing more than 30 million, state news agency SPA reported.

The vast horticultural collection, that includes local plants, flowers, and other greenery will be replanted at Saudi resorts, hotels, and other projects including the Red Sea and Amaala destinations.

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