[11 September 2005] By Abdul-Salam Al- Korary.

Bura,a is a spectacular forest , some 50km eastern the city of Hudeidah, 265km away from the capital Sana’a. The (4100) hectares forest lies at 300 - 800 meters above the Sea level and it combines the coastal topography with the mountainous one to offer a very stunning scenery.

The flora diversity of Bura makes it one of the richest Yemeni forests in eco tourism and flora . The forest includes a large verity of the scarce plants, trees and wildlife.

The survey studies on the diverse flora of Bura registered 29 botanical family and 295 botanical species out of which 48 types are scarce at the national and international levels, among of them 8 native types exist in Bura merely.

The surveys studies also revealed 90 types of mammals such as monkeys , foxes and rodents. There are around 13 kinds of reptiles, out of which 4 native types and 5 species of amphibians, beside 60 species of butterfly ,one of them is confined to Bura forest alone.

The studies pointed out to a number of threats facing the forest of Bura on top of which are : the aggressive process of cutting wood, grazing activities and propagation of several weeds and undesirable plants.

As a result of the above challenges, there are 13 botanical species and eight kinds of scare birds are threatened with extinct, furthermore three botanical species had eventually disappeared over the past 20 years. The forest also includes 24 of scarce birds are threatened of disappearing domestic

The administrating project director of the coastal and wildlife protectorates, Mr Ali Abdulkareem Alfodhail stated that the arrangements are underway to declare Bura Forest as a natural protectorate in the first half of the next year 2005. This measure comes as an attempt to preserve the diverse flora of the forest and maintain a number of rare botanical species which are threatened with extinct. Mr Alfodhail indicated that around 80% of the required studies and plans have been accomplished so far.

The deputy minister of the ministry of planning and international cooperation Mr. Hashem Awn Allah , who along with a number of concerned officials paid an inspection journey to the forest, stated that the ministry s role is to seek for external fund from the international organizations which are interested in the environment protection.

The project of administrating the coastal and wildlife protectorates of the general authority of the environment protection has got two financial grants from the Environment Global Fund( GEF) with a total sum up to $US(1,465,000) dollar.

The above amount in addition to the government finance will be used to set up four natural protectorates to help maintaining the ecological diversity in Yemen.

The four proposed protectorates are: Hoof natural protectorate in the governorate of Al Mahara, Lehaf protectorate in Shabwah governorate, Sherma.. Gethmon protectorate in Hudhramout governorate and Bura protectorate in the governorate of Hudiedhah.


Domestic Efforts& Required Alternatives.
The deputy governor of Hudeidah, Dr Al Husen Mohammed Taher said that the governorate leadership efforts focuses on conservation the Forest of Bura topography and drawing plans could help reducing cutting wood activities.

The chairman of the local council in the directorate of Bura, Mr Gameal Al Miqdad, pointed out to the local community efforts to protect the Bura Forest. He said that the local community leaders held a meeting in which they committed themselves to halt the activities of cutting wood and hunting animals and birds.

Mr Almeqdad added that the local community needs alternatives solutions. People need to be provided with gas at accessible prices to be used instead of wood. Hence, a government subsidy to this substantial commodity is necessary to prevent the citizens from cutting wood.

The road leveling project through Bura Forest which is now on going has caused a wide range of damage. The diverse flora of the Forest has been sustained huge havoc due to the leveling activities.

The wide of the road ranges from 12 to 17 meter in the forest. The mechanical machines and material which are being used devastated large number of the botanical spies and forced several birds and animal to flee the forest.
Saba