TheImprovement ofTropical and Subtropical Rangelands

Case Study 9
The Hema System in the Arabian Peninsula
BY OMAR DRAZ
The Arabian hema (plural ahmia) grazing system, one of the
world's oldest effective range-conservation systems, can be used by
individuals, tribes, or governments. A survey in Saudia Arabia (1962­
1966) of historic ahmia, such as Bema Hail, Bema al Hourma, and
Bema al-Ra'bza (rainfall under 150 mm), which were formerly administered
by the government, showed that these lands were opened
to free grazing by decree in 1953. Today it is difficult to see any
difference between the vegetation on these government reserves and
adjoining lands because of the effects of destructive grazing and the
uncontrolled cutting of trees and shrubs. By contrast, tribal or personal
ahmias that had been properly managed retained satisfactory
levels of productivity, underscoring the suitability of this system
within the context of the local environment.
AHMIA IN ISLAM
The Prophet Muhammad was concerned with fodder r~rves
because they preserved the strength of the Islamic nation. He protected
Bema Alnaquia (a wadi near Medina that was used mainly
by animals) to defend the cause of Islam, and is known to have said:
"Bema is only for God and His Prophet." Evidently this has been
interpreted to mean that a governor or an Islamic state is allowed to
protect the ahmia in the best interests of the community.
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