The mountains of Dhofar Governorate are where pastoralists have been continuing their traditional occupation for years.
Come monsoon, and one can see the camel migration. Camel owners will ensure the camels are moved to the coast or the plains. Under the khareef conditions, the mountains go under a blanket of fog and mist. Continuous drizzle makes the ground slippery and risky for camels to walk.
Confirming the migration, Dhofar resident Mussallam al Mashiki said khareef had arrived, and people were enjoying the weather.
He lives in Madinat al Haq and owns camels, cows and goats.
“Madinat Al Haq is a small town in the mountains, and when the rains arrive, we take our camels to Salalah or Taqah city while the cows remain on the mountains. The Najd area is also an important relocation area for camels.”
Commenting on the arrival of khareef and good locations associated with the season, Musallam says, “We enjoy khareef by visiting Wadi Darbat, but we also enjoy Jabal Samhan.”
Jabal Samhan is a Nature Reserve and is also known as home to the Arabian Leopards. It is also one of the highest peaks in Dhofar Governorate.
@lakshmioman
