Hatta plan will set a green precedent

The AED1.3 billion Hatta development plan — launched on Monday — will change the face of that area, while preserving its rich heritage. There are essentially three primary targets of the project: economy and services, sports and tourism and culture and education. All these will catapult Hatta into a place where culture and recreation coexist.
Hatta — located in the east of Dubai City and high in the Hajar mountains — has a wealth of natural resources. By enhancing the balanced and proper
utilization of these resources, the economy can flourish and make massive gains. Encouraging youth to tap the economic potential of the region is crucial. They can start new ventures and unleash their entrepreneurial skills with financial and moral support. It is important that they think innovatively and find unconventional means to make their mark in the projects they undertake. To facilitate youth in setting up new ventures, commercial outlets are to be opened in Hatta community. These outlets have to give locals the power to explore.
The plan also aims to enhance the infrastructure of the agricultural sector, while meeting the various demands of farmers and backing their efforts. The farmers have to be integrated in the economic process and imparted training to adopt novel sustainable techniques of farming. They need to be provided
incentives to use methods that do not harm the ecology.
Under the plan, Hatta will also house a hydroelectric power station. This will use water stored in the Hajar mountains. Interestingly, solar water turbines will pump water from reservoirs and help produce electricity to the tune of 250MW in the coming decades. The project will not just generate power but also a lot of jobs. The hydroelectric power plan adds to the importance of this ‘green’ initiative because it will set a precedent for others in the region to start similar ventures.
In the next two years, Hatta could also emerge as the most-sought-after destination for eco-tourists across the region. The plan to develop the heritage
village will ensure that the tourist attractiveness of the place takes a new form and beckons visitors from far and wide. The Hatta scheme envisages green areas to promote sports camps, where students from schools and universities will be able to display their sporting skills. A mountain bike circuit will also be established that can be used for international racing competitions. While giving fillip to sports and entertainment, the archaeological sites — dating back to the second half of the third millennium —should be preserved too. Tourism development and its boom have to be regulated in such a way that it doesn’t pose threat to the local culture.
The local community must be egged on to get involved in the cultural development of the region. Holding Hatta Cultural Festival annually is a step in the right direction. It should be organized in a manner that the locals not just participate in the event, but play an integral role in its behind-the-scene actions. The council which will be formed with Hatta residents in it must ensure that culture preservation comes at the top of all decisions.
Hatta is embarking on a new progress path. The groundbreaking plan will showcase to the world how economy, ecology and culture can go hand-in-hand in the new global landscape, where a project’s success depends on its environmental sustainability.