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By 1983, the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs realized the importance of protecting Egypt’s rich heritage and its diversity of ecosystems, in turn started declaring locations as protected areas, which are now collectively known as Parks Egypt. In 1994 the (NCS) Nature Conservation Sector was established and given the responsibility of managing Parks Egypt. The NCS is entrusted with implementing policies, programs, studies and other actions that ensure compliance with the nation’s habitat and species protection legislation as well as Egypt’s commitment to the relevant international conventions. By 2007 more than 14% (27 protected areas) of Egypt was protected under the NCS, with plans to further accommodate all of Egypt’s natural habitats and ecosystems. The expectation that by the year 2017, a total of 40 protected areas, which is around 17% of the country, will be protected and managed by the NCS.

To conserve these ecosystems and habitats, the species of flora and fauna have to be safeguarded, to maintain the sustainability of the area. In Egypt, the fairly low number of species and the relatively large number of eco-zones and habitats makes the preservation of both especially important. Likewise the indigenous people are an integral part of these ecosystems. Their knowledge and tradition are an important part of Egypt’s cultural heritage, which have become threatened by modern intrusions of expanding civilization. Being able to create revenue to fund for the management of these protectores and to create business for its indigenous people, conserves not only this unique culture and knowledge but the nature as well, through traditional means and ethics.

Among the largest of these protectores is the Nabq Managed Resource Protected Area. Nabq is about 35 km north of Sharm El Sheikh and 500 km from Cairo. About halfway between Naama Bay and Dahab, Nabq lies at the narrowest part of the Gulf of Aqaba. It is the second of the five protected areas of South Sinai. It is the largest coastal park in the area stretching over 600 square kilometers and shelters a variety of ecosystems. It was established in 1992 to protect the coral reefs, wild life and the mangroves.

The park provides unique and extremely diverse landscapes and habitats, from the high mountains in the North, to rolling dune systems of the South, to the rich coral environment where the desert meets the sea. The park is known to be home to 134 plant species, 6 of them are found only in Nabq, and 86 are perennial. The coast of Nabq is said to be fringed by 4.8 km of mangrove forests. This mangrove which is composed of just one species of tree, Avicennia marina, is very fragile and worth protecting because of the important role it plays in the survival of the wild life surrounding the bay. If you are a nature enthusiast, bring along binoculars to observe a variety of birds and animals that live on the park. The park attracts birds holding an important ecological role either as a migratory stop, or as breeding grounds. Species that frequent the area include the Heron (both white and grey), Ospreys, Spoonbill and even storks. Also Nabq is home to a variety of animal and marine species, finding sufficient food and shelter. One of the largest populations of gazelles in southern Sinai is often seen at sunset in the vicinity of the dunes. Nubian ibex can be found in the mountain areas and hyraxes thrive in Wadi Khereiza (one of numerous wadis, or valleys in the park.)

The mangrove stand at Nabq fronts the shoreline at the mouth of Wadi Kidd, which runs far into the center of southern Sinai’s mountains. Near the top of Wadi Kidd is the lush oasis of Ain Kidd, boasting many date palms, and toward the bottom of the wadi is mangroves, dune growth, and wild life. Wadi Kidd is one of the Sinai’s most abundantly watered wadis, supporting prolific vegetation all along its length, which explains the abundant presence of vegetation and wild life. They are sustained by the periodic valley flooding following heavy rains. The wadi also provides a supply of fresh water to local populations, and is an important grazing area for Bedouin sheep and goatherds.

The mangroves‘ root system, allow the species to adapted and tolerate their saline surroundings. Their remarkable aerial roots that appear as leafless branches sticking out of the ground around each tree help aerate its submerged roots. They act as a barrier that holds back most of the salts from the seawater. The excess salt that has been absorbed by the root is then removed in the form of salt crystals on the underside of each leaf. The shallow calm waters around the trees form a haven for crustaceans and small fish playing an important role as their breeding and nursing grounds, in turn attracting an extraordinarily varied population of bird life.

At the far end of the bay is an old shipwreck, which provides for a unique and rare diving site. Known to the locals as “Al Gharaqna” (in English “the drowned”), the site can be accessed from the shore, walking knee-deep through the water with suitable shoes, to aid walking over the stretch of shells and endless starfish. The coral reefs of Nabq are rich, virtually untouched and rarely dived areas stretching the entire length of the coast. Possessing a diverse coral population, small and large fish alike, and sea grass beds, the reefs here are different from those of Ras Mohammed National Park. Marine life that can be seen includes turtles, huge variety of pipefish, jacks, wrasse, groupers, stonefish, lionfish, moray eels and seahorses.

The wadi also supports a number of Bedouin tribes who depend on the natural resources of the area, which provides for their fresh water for drinking and for the goatherds. In the late 20th century many of these tribes gave up their nomadic way of life and settled in the wadi, building hut villages along its coast although some still consider it only as a summer retreat. Bedouin population is centered in the Khreiza and Al Gharqana villages. Their knowledge of the area and its plant and animal life has been employed to protect the park. The NCS has committed to a programme that fully integrates the resident Bedouins in all aspects of its area management strategy. As the Bedouins are legendary for their hospitality they are the ones to provide for all the touristic services in the park. These will include catering services at the visitor centre, guide services, provision of camels for access to areas closed to vehicles (all desert areas are considered fragile and off track driving is prohibited), maintenance, visitor interpretation, operation of camping areas (camping is allowed in designated areas but there are several hotels in South Nabq and along the Gulf of Aqaba), selling handmade necklaces and oriental dress and other activities of mutual benefit. Most of them are familiar with many foreign languages due to their continuous contact with tourists.

About the Author:
Gawhara Hanem
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Egypt Tours

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With Global Warming becoming an eminent threat there is growing awareness to going green. The need to save mother Earth, conserving its resources to share with future generations as live experiences and not stories of the past. Warning calls by Al Gore and Leonardo DiCaprio for preserving the only planet we have is more than a cause but a need for it to be a way of life.

Every bearing of our lives is going eco-friendly, from energy saving light bulbs and carpooling to eco-friendly pajamas and hair spray. Since the late 1980s the increase in environmental awareness and the obligation to protect eco-systems, gave birth to ecotourism, responsible tourism or also called sustainable tourism.

For centuries only 6% of Egypt’s land has been frequented by tourists, seeking the historical aspects that have been overemphasized through novels & chronicles. With the remaining 94% considered lifeless, barren wastelands. These areas included three magnificent deserts (the Sinai Desert, the Eastern Desert and the Western Desert), mangroves, lakes, mountains and 2,700 km (1,678 m) of unspoiled coastlines. Since the evolution of ecotourism and the demand to explore and enjoy this hidden side of Egypt, there has been a demand for more environmentally conscious eco-lodges, and higher maintenance and preservation over natural protectores.

But what exactly is meant by ecotourism? As defined by the world’s oldest and largest ecotourism organization and the global source of knowledge and advocacy in ecotourism, The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) states that it is:

Experiencing the fastest growth of all sub-sectors in the tourism industry, this popularity represents a change in tourist perceptions, increased environmental awareness, and a desire to explore natural environments. Such changes have become as much a statement affirming one’s social identity, educational sophistication, and disposable income as it has about preserving the Amazon rainforest or the Caribbean reef for posterity. And for ecotourism to be successful certain guidelines and principles must be followed:
· minimize impact
· build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
· provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
· provide direct financial benefits for conservation
· provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
· raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climate

The concepts of ecotourism maybe obvious in that they need to minimize the negative economic, environmental and social impacts, while preserving and improving the condition of the local people and their heritage. These very concepts are often used as a marketing tool to promote tourism which is related to nature. These greenwashing habits (disinformation by an organization so as to present an environmentally responsible public image) only use labels like “green” and “eco-friendly”, to mislead tourists and manipulate their concern for the environment. So just because a hotel is located on a splendid landscape does not mean it’s eco-friendly until it fulfills its obligations, behaving in an environmentally responsible way.

This may have been happening in Hurgada and Sharm el Sheik, but in recent years legislation has been enforced by the Egyptian Affairs Agency to prevent new development from destroying the coastline, coral reefs or tidal flats. Becoming the major focus of investment by the Egyptian government and the World Bank to protect what is left of the unique heritage that was once plagues by thoughtless development.

Since the hosting of Sustainable Tourism Egypt (STE) 2003, the International Conference on Tourism Development in Environmentally Sensitive Areas there has been major endeavors and strategic plans to conserve and protect the unique, abundant natural treasure of Egypt’s heritage. There is also concern for these protected areas to pay their way to generate revenue that can be use to fund for the management of its conservation. Moreover to provide the residence of these areas with additional income and establish community businesses.

In the wake of the declaration of Wadi El-Hitan as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO, there are more restrictions to number of visitors and stricter enforcemnt on regulation and guidelines to protectores. In the Nabq protected area, there are rehabilitation initiatives to recover its sensitive eco-systems. The largest mangrove stand in the Gulf of Aqaba and the northernmost mangroves in the Indian Ocean/Red Sea area front the shoreline of Nabq, making it the largest coastal park, at 600 km2 of protected area of outstanding natural beauty sheltering a variety of ecosystems.

There has been a campaign to crack down on hunting in Egypt in the Siwa Oasis and around Lake Nasser, Egypt’s primary water reservoir. Furthermore, there have been negotiations with government authorities to reduce the bureaucratic restrictions on deep desert tours and safaris. The numerous bureaucratic obstacles and procedures are time consuming but these problems are not experienced by tourists, as they are taken care of before their arrival.

The location of the Stromer’s Tidal Giant dinosaur in Bahariya Oasis is now under protection as farmers are trying to use the land for agricultural purposes and presently, there is a focus on saving the Petrified Forest protectorate east of Cairo, as there have been attempts to initiate urban development projects in the area. The selling of the Red Sea’s protected Giftun Island was successfully halted. The Egyptian government rejected the proposal for a multi-million development plan and an international campaign “Save Giftun” helped rise public awareness to preserve Egypt’s heritage.

Efforts to save the Spinner dolphins of the Gulf of Samadi (in the vicinity of the town of Marsa Alam in the Red Sea) have been also successful. The Samadi is a horseshoe-shaped reef that forms a shallow lagoon in the center, and constitutes an important natural habitat for spinner dolphins, where tourists get the magical opportunity to swim with wild, free, friendly dolphins.

21 km north of Hurgada, is the first independent touristic town. El Gouna (or Lagoon) has its own electricity plant, a sewage treatment plant, roads, lagoons, and has installed satellite phones, a transportation network, two marinas, a Nubian-style village, an airport, a hospital and an international school. More investors are being encouraged to build eco-lodges in protected areas such as the Red Sea’s Wadi El-Gemal, and Qarit Umm Al-Sagheer, north of Siwa. The government and developers have significant roles to play in adopting and implementing environmentally sound policies and practices to avoid the degradation of the natural heritage of Egypt for the sake of current and future generations alike.

About the Author:
Gawhara Hanem
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Egypt Tours

Copyright © EgyptHasItAll.com

With all those unique diverse coastlines, deserts and mountains, and the added plus of sunny good weather almost everyday of the year; Egypt makes the perfect playground for Extreme Sports.

Extreme tourism is becoming ever more popular, and as opposed to traditional tourism requiring significant investments in hotels, roads, etc., extreme tourism requires much less jump-starting a business. Extreme tourism overlaps with extreme sport. The two share the main attraction, “adrenaline rush” caused by an element of risk mostly due to the relatively higher number of inherently uncontrollable variables, such as weather and terrain. As in any sport, it requires a certain degree of fitness, skill and with sufficient respect for safety guidelines, not much more is required for anyone to enjoy them.

Some of these sports include surfing, snowboarding, sandboarding, kitesurfing, bungee-jumping, BASE jumping, kayaking and rock climbing. Considering that the media is credited for defining what extreme sports are as well as popularizing them, many of these sports were made popular by the televised X Games (championship competitions sponsored by the cable-television network ESPN). The first X Games (then called the Extreme Games) were held in 1995 in Rhode Island. This television coverage brought extreme sports and their participants more into the limelight, boosting the number of enthusiasts as more people became aware of the growing number of extreme sports.

Being more of an individual sport, participants constantly challenge their creativity to produce new, more daring maneuvers and techniques. This assures the development and evolution of newer extreme sports. Some extreme sports combine the techniques and physical skills of two or more sports such as kitesurfing (surfing & using a giant kite), sandboarding (skateboarding & snowboarding on sand) and the more extreme sky surfing (sky diving & snowboarding).

Although surfing first came to see the light in Egypt as late as 1995, it is kitesurfing and sandboarding that are capitulating Egypt as an extreme sports holiday destination. While sandboarding maybe considered by many a new addition to extreme sports, there has been evidence that it was first invented by ancient Egyptians who surfed down golden dunes of sand on planks of hardened pottery and wood. The added advantage of sand being that, sand never melts, so as long as your snowboard is waxed you can extend your surfing season. With the variation of shifting the body weight to the back in sandboarding to reduce friction on the front, sand also provides a much nicer surface to fall on than snow, also making for an ideal environment to learn boarding skills.

Normally you’d have to go far into the desert to reach the large dunes, well not in Siwa! 100 meter high dunes are five minutes from the tarmac. Further into the desert it is believed, that the western desert of Egypt has some of the largest and steepest dunes on the planet. While it was first popularized in Siwa it is now available at Wadi El-Rayan (in El Fayoum) and in Gharb Sohiel (in Nubia, Aswan). And of course for a more “X-treme” experience the board can be powered with a kite, combining sandboarding and kitesurfing.
An unforgettable experience into the unknown will have to include trad climbing Mount Sinai. It was on Mount Sinai that Prophet Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. Built in the 6th century at the foot of this mountain, is one of the oldest continuously functioning Christian monasteries in the world, St. Catherine’s Monastery. There are bolted routes and granite boulders to be tackled, but as the area is huge there are always lines that have never been pioneered before. The finger cramming cracks that run hundreds of meters up, take you to an endless mesmerizing view of the magnificent desert. Mt. Sinai can also be trekked on foot. Because of the daytime heat, the trek starts at night and the strenuous ascent takes about 3 hours. On reaching the summit one is gratified by the birth of a new day, with its hypnotizing change of hues of sunrise on the horizon, illuminating the tops of the surrounding mountains.

Today Egypt is the No. 1 windsurfing destination worldwide. It has become a Mecca for European windsurfers because the weather and wind conditions are almost always good. Although at present, kitesurfing is starting to replace the more traditional windsurfing. Powered by a kite as opposed to a sail it doesn’t need much wind, nor high surf, and is much easier to master in a few lessons, making it very addictive. But the wide spreading popularity of kitesurfing is mostly attributed to it providing instant gratification as people want to learn a new sport and be pro the next day.

Egypt is inching slowly yet steadily, on to the map of “X-treme” sports. With the almost perfect weather all the year round and the many unchartered spots, just waiting to be explored and discovered.

MARGINALIA
1. Extreme sports have always been associated with “adrenaline rush” caused by the element of risk. It has been proven that medically speaking the rush or high associated with the activity is not due to adrenaline being released as a response to fear, but due to increased levels of dopamine, endorphins and serotonin because of the high level of physical exertion.

2. As compared to the huge waves of the Pacific Ocean breaking on coral reefs, the huge dunes of the Siwa desert always have a sharp reef bottom (fossilized coral).

3. It has been said that mapping the sea of sand is impossible, since it is always moving. In fact major dunes don’t move, they may gain or lose a few meters in height every year. The actual possibility of the dune going anywhere for the next century is highly unlikely.

4. BASE jumping is by far the most dangerous of all the extreme sports. In BASE jumping, parachutists jump from artificial and natural structures at heights between 90 and 1100 m. (The name BASE comes from buildings, antennas, spans [bridges], and earth [cliffs and waterfalls]—the four launching points for jumpers.) Because the launch heights are low compared to those in traditional skydiving, the parachutes used in BASE jumping are specially designed to open quickly. Also adding to the danger is that wind can easily blow a jumper into a rock face or other nearby surface. Most law enforcement agencies prohibit BASE jumping, but even where the activity is legal, only competent skydivers should attempt jumps.

About the Author:
Gawhara Hanem
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Egypt Tours