A small date grove sits in the lee of a dune in south-eastern Abu Dhabi. Even in otherwise unassuming places in the desert it is commonplace to find fenced off squares planted with date palms. Aftercare once the palms are established is minimal, and within five years of planting a summer harvest of trusses burgeoning with fruit can be expected.
A herder, looking for all the world like something biblical, has climbed to the crest of a high dune to look for his herd of camels, which have strayed. Hobbling one or more of the herd prevents the animals from traveling far and they will easily be located. The paucity of the grazing is the result of two years of unbroken drought and many camels will have been moved to new areas to reduce the pressure on what little fresh ‘bite’ has managed to come through. Tapping underground water supplies by deep drilling has permitted herds to be kept in the same area year-round, with bought fodder brought to the herd.