Al-Ahrash Nature Protectorate borders the Gaza Strip at Egypt‘s northeastern-most border. With an area of just six square kilometres, it’s one of Egypt’s smaller protectorates and, as it was established in 1985, one of the first such areas to be given natural protectorate status.
In Arabic, Al-Ahrash means “the woodlands,” but this protectorate is characterized more by its dunes and shrubbery. The northern side of this simple yet scenic protectorate overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and plots of farmland. Its southern and eastern sides front Rafah City in the Gaza Strip.
Location of El Ahrash Protectorate
El Ahrash Protectorate is located on Sinai‘s Mediterranean coast on the border of the Gaza Strip. It is an area of coastal dunes, and its importance lies in the positive effects on soil protection and water resources.
Ecology
According to the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) database, the executive arm of the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs, Al-Ahrash, is classified as a desert protectorate. It contains giant dunes, some of which rise to 60 feet in height, which are held in place by scattered trees–including Acacias, Camphors, Tamarisks, and Cypresses–as well as grass and shrubs.
Al-Ahrash also houses some different wildlife species. Smaller birds are expected, including sparrows, warblers, crows, pigeons and doves. Quail migrate to this area during autumn, and birds of prey, including hawks, kites, and–to a lesser extent–eagles, can be spotted during spring. Various lizards and other reptile species are common, while small desert mammals exist in lesser numbers.
The dense plant and tree coverage (including Acasia and Tamarix) fixates the dunes that reach 60 metres above sea level. On the dunes grow trees, herbs and grass, which maintain the underground water and its salinity. This vegetation provides food and covers for wild animals and birds and allows for firewood and grazing grounds for local communities. Some of the vegetation in the area has been cultivated for sand stabilization and to provide fodder for livestock.
Threats
Overgrazing and the over-collection of firewood, as a result, are now threatening this already fragile coastal ecosystem.
