ADEN WELANDS AS ECOTOURISM DESTINATION

ADEN WELANDS AS ECOTOURISM DESTINATION

 

 

 

TOURISM ATTRACTIONS  IN ADEN WETLANDS

 

 

 

The Wetlands (Caltex - Al-Hiswah) are recognized as presenting excellent opportunities for tourism development. In relation to ecotourism, the area contains excellent natural features including vegetation and fauna communities, spectacular views and natural features that reflect the beauty of the green nature which evokes happiness and pleasure for everybody frequenting it by seeing the view of trees, shrubs and seasonal plants and the existence of male and female beneficiaries of the different categories of the nearby local community in the area.

 

Potential for Ecotourism Development in Al-Heswa Protected Area

 

 

The Wetlands in Aden offers considerable potential for ecotourism. It holds significant potential as a destination for special interest bird watchers as on excursion destination for general interest eco-culture visitors and which will form the basis of tourism development product in the area. The area represents a unique combination of biophysical conditions that support a variety ecosystem with high biodiversity values including several endemic and threatened species, plus forms of land use that are of interest in their own right.

 

The flora of the Wetlands is of particular significant including 60 plants in which 14 species can be classed locally rare. Over 93 species of migrant, resident and wintering birds have been so far in the Wetlands. There are a number of  species of animals such as Foxes, Reptiles, Wild poultry, Wild rabbits, Different species of insects Bats Scorpions as well as a   number of tiny worms and fishes such as Mugilidae, Mllacostraca and, Mollusca. Combined with a vibrant and diverse cultural component, the area well be experiencing significant growth in tourist numbers. The Management Plan for the Conversation Zone of Aden Governorate Wetlands   identifies the opportunities for considerable growth in the ecotourism industry and the ability for the area to become one of Yemen's key nature based and ecotourism destination. Specifically, the wetlands are renowned for its unique and exciting attributes, and in particular:

· Relatively easy access to the forest, although the new management plan will not encourage free access but limit visitor movements within the Wetlands Forest to central access road;

· The three Wetlands have enormous opportunities to build a sustainable and competitive industries from which every local in the area can benefit. Consider that the Wetlands have incredible natural and cultural attributes for tourism. At the same time the Wetlands are faced with a number of challenges and opportunities in developing sustainable ecotourism. There are explored in the next section of the paper.

· A number of rare birds to be easily seen, of which some are endemic to the country;

· A ‘whole of government' approach to coordinated regional development;

· Strong tourism focus;

· Growing industry in organic food production and herbal/ medicinal production and processing;

· Diverse and vibrant cultural attributes

· A variety of animals, and creatures, butterflies and fish easily seen in the wetlands;

· A variety of local ecotourism products.

· There is a growing demand for environmentally sustainable activities and ecotourism;

· There are enormous opportunities to develop linkages with other sectors of the economy, particularly the services sector.

The wetlands in Aden governorate are determined as one area of 16 important wetlands at the level of Yemen and registered within the wetlands guide in the Middle East. These lands are distinct as a habitat for a number of endangered birds by extinction at the global level.

Doubtlessly, the nature of the swamp Al-Mimlah lands assisted the establishment of an important economic industry which contribute to the gross domestic income and considered a livelihood source for a good number of the society in addition to the importance of biodiversity spreading on the water surfaces. Various salt plants of environment importance spread on Al-Mimlah lands as well as on the lands of Aden Lagoons.

The opportunities for tourism development within the area are substantial and the climate for investment in the key areas of ecotourism and nature based tourism is considered excellent.