Jabal Bura’a Natural Park as Ecotourism Destination

 

 

 

Bura'a Protected Area
 

 

 

 

The Jabal Bura`a extends across four catchments or parts thereof. They are, from north to south, Wadi Guhairah, Wadi Bussal, Wadi Rejaf and Wadi Al Aswad. These catchments lie at the southwest side of Jabal Bura`a. The Jabal Bura'a National Park (JBNP) is surrounded by several villages, both of the lowland Tihama people (The Tihamis) and the highland mountain people (The highlanders), which make its location specific in the intermediate zone between two different culture zones.

 

The estimated size of JBNP is 4,287 ha. The main features of biological interest, and the riches biodiversity, are found in Wadi Rijaf, which is one of two deep, steep-sided valleys on the western side of Jabal Bura`a. Deforestation is believed to have been due chiefly to unsustainable extension of wood for fuel, which continued until today.

The National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) identified Jabal Bura`a as one of five high priority sites for inclusion in a protected area system.

Part of the area is legally classed as - waqf a class of Islamic endowment or trust whereby land is to be used for the common good. The reminder of JBNP is mostly common land. Administratively, the protected area is located in Al Hodaida Governorate within Bura`a district. Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is the responsible authority supported by the Management Board of BNP. The distance from Al Hodaida to the western end at the entrance gate is about 62km, mostly along good asphalt roads. From Sana’a, the distance is

195km to the turn off at Al Qutay, and the total distance to JBNP is 221 km.

JBNP offers considerable potential for ecotourism. The area is an important center of genetic diversity within the mountain zone, especially in view of the degraded nature of much of the surrounding country. The flora of Bura`a is of particular significant including 315 plants in which 64 species can be classed locally rare. Over 93 species of migrant, resident and wintering birds have been so far in BNPA.

 

There are 13 species of mammals, one of them, Leopard Panther a Peru, is now probably extinct there, four species are primarily Afro tropical including the Hamadryad Baboon. There are probably at least 150 baboons in the protected area. There are 13 species of reptiles, and the Yemeni Monitor Varmus Yemeni occurs in BNPA and was first discovered, a new species to science not from the entrance to Wadi Rijaf and fie amhibibian species occurs in Wadi Rijaf. Freshwater fish can be abundant in drayingt stream-bed pools in the Rijaf Valley, through the specie have yet to be determined. Also there are 60 species of butterflies.

Bura'a holds significant potential as a destination for special interest bird watchers as an excursion destination for general interest eco-culture visitors.

 

Main Attractions in Bura'a Protected Area

 

Primary attractions  in JBNP can be listed as:

 

• The last pristine forest area on the Tihama-mountain slopes. Relatively easy access to the forest, although the new management plan will not encourage free access but will limit visitor movements within the Bura'a Forest to the central access road;

•  A number of rare birds to be easily seen, of which some are endemic to Yemen;

•  A variety of reptiles of which one (a monitor lizard) is endemic to Yemen;

•  A variety of butterflies, of which one species (a Charaxes) has Bura'a as type locality;

•  Amphibians, and fish (to be seen in wadi pools during the dry season);

•  Swimming or paddling in wadi pools after the rains (during times when flash floods are unlikely). Access to pools will be controlled by the protected area's Management Board, and limited to those outside the forest. The use of pools for washing vehicles is to be prohibited;

•  Near-by, very local, weekly markets. At different locations according to the day of the week;

•  Mountain stone built villages, terraced fields with morning photo opportunities of (for foreign visitors) incredible views; andTihama villages. Round hut architecture.

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Other attractions for special interest are:

•  Mountain trekking;

•  Bird-watching;

•  Ecotourism;

•  Extending the geographical distribution of more traditional culture based; and holiday opportunities to other more distant locations.

•  Mountain stone built villages, terraced fields with morning photo opportunities of incredible views.

JBNP was declared a protected area in 2005.The road through the reserve has a gated entrance and visitors are charged admission. There is some visitor infrastructure – roadside shelters and picnic tables, which

appeared quite well used during our visit. However, there is very little visitor information, on who visits and why, what visitors expect in terms of facilities and infrastructure, what they are prepared to pay, how long they stay in the area and where, etc. some trails were created in 2006 but these have suffered subsequent damage from flooding.

 

A number of the issues it faces in relating to management of the reserve, visitor management, ecotourism, environmental protection and poverty alleviation relevant to the SNRMP`s ecotourism programme and potential activity in other protected areas. The reserve has had previous support from UNDP and from the GEF small grants fund.