A study about the Journey of Hajj Environmental practices

King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah Saudi Arabia

Isobel SimpsonUniversity of California, Irvine

Irvine, California, USA isimpson@uci.edu

Tao WangHong Kong Polytechnic University

Hong Kong, Chinacetwang@polyu.edu.hk

Haider KhwajaNew York State Dept. of Health

Albany, New York, USAhaider.khwaja@health.ny.gov

Azhar SiddiqueKing Abdulaziz University

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabiachm97@hotmail.com

Area and Event• Gulf cooperation council (GCC) countries

established in 1981 among Middle East countries

• largest oil producer and Exporter• Hajj- Mainly a 5 day event• Hajj 2012- about 3.5 million pilgrims• Estimated pilgrims in 2025 would be 5

million

http://en.wikipedia.org

http://rebuildingfreedom.org

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2014/chapter-4-select-destinations/saudi-arabia-hajj-pilgrimage

Hajj- a mid sized city

A mid-size city population into existing city so the environmental issues too….

Our study- regional data with emphasis on Hajj crowding

• Fuel Quality : High Benzene, High sulfur • Fleet Management & maintenance:• fuel prices (16 cent a liter)• dependent on oil use, • Public Transportation system-

Interventions

• Saudi Government : priority and willingness

• Fuel Quality Roadmap: Benzene 1% and sulfur 10 ppm by 2016

• High priority and funding on Environment & Health studies through Ministry of Higher Education.

• Mass transit system- Railway on Hajj route (Ma’ashaer) (3000 in 12 coaches, 24 train an hour, ~ 1.5 bn $ project)

• Presidency of Meteorology & Environment (PME) special assignment monitoring of tunnels for redesigning/technological reconsiderations

Recommendation

• Monitoring program-throughout the development/fuel transition stages

• Priority areas to focus:• Mass transit system, • Regulations regarding emission control devices

(catalytic converters, )• Technical status of transportation fleet, • Fuel Quality roadmap and traffic management.

Interventions

• Alternate energy resources (Natural gas engine buses)

• Comprehensive solid waste management plan

• No 5 year old car import

• Resident of Mecca- not more than 1 car of 10 years old

• Restriction of age for pilgrims – 60 years and 10 years (hajj only)- Sensitive-debatable

1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

1,043,027

1,216,951

1,456,432

1,627,689

2,079,689

1,714,478

1,584,112

1,466,995

1,628,186

2,395,013

1,832,114 1,825,789

2,258,050

2,454,325

2,789,399

2,927,717

3,161,573

1,980,2492,085,238

External Internal TotalN

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