The Saluga and Ghazal protected area is one of the most notable nature reserves situated in southern Egypt. It is widely considered the smallest reserve in the nation. This is given that its total area does not exceed half a kilometre. This unique sanctuary is comprised of a cluster of scenic granite islands. These are nestled directly within the famous Nile River.
The unique ecosystem of the Saluga and Ghazal islands prompted the government to declare them a protectorate in 1986. The two granitic islands, covering less than half a square kilometre, contain relics of the acacia gallery forest that once covered all the islands near the Nile’s First Cataract. In addition, their natural biodiversity includes over 100 species of plants. There are also 15 species of mammals and 135 recorded species of birds.
Location of Saluga and Ghazal Protected Area
The Reserve is located in Aswan Governorate, specifically at the first waterfall, about 3 km north of Aswan Reservoir. In the south is the island of Suhail. To the north are the islands of Esposarte, Amun, and the Botanical Garden (El Nabatat Island).
Etymology
The name is taken from the two most important islands in the Reserve. Saluja Island means (waterfall) in the Nubian language. Meanwhile, the title Ghazal Island refers to one of the ancient plants growing on these islands.
The decision of the Prime Minister of Egypt declared the region a nature reserve in 1986. To preserve the biological diversity of endangered animals, plants and mammals.
The Environment
The Salouga and Ghazal Nature Reserve contains a variety of living creatures from the animal and plant kingdoms. This is despite the small size of the protected area and its presence in the middle of the Nile. Among the most famous animals in the protectorate are camels, goats, wild donkeys, hyenas, and the red fox (the Egyptian fox). Notably, it does not live mainly on the islands. Instead, the fox lives on the West Bank of the Nile. It crosses the river by swimming to build a hole on the islands of the protectorate.
Sixty species of resident and migratory birds live in the Saluga and Ghazal Protectorate. The plant life in the national park is more varied and specific. There are more than 90 different types of plants, some of which are threatened with extinction. The most famous of these rare birds is the black ibis, which became the symbol of the Reserve. The Reserve is characterized by stunning landscapes that combine the often quiet vegetation with the water surface of the Nile. Therefore, it makes it an important tourist attraction.
Acacias are especially important to the ecosystem. There are five species of acacia on the islands, including some scarce species. It is unique to have this number of acacia species in one place.
The midstream islands–which juxtapose dry scrubland and lush wetland–are also rich in birdlife. These islands attract more than 60 rare species of migratory and resident birds. This avian diversity has made Saluga and Ghazal Protectorate one of the preeminent birding sites in Egypt. As a result, it draws researchers and watchers from around the globe.
A ringing station for migratory birds was established in the protectorate in 2003 under Poland’s South-East European Bird Migration Network (SEEN). In July, a new visitor’s centre opened in memory of Japan’s late Prince Takamado Norihito. He was an avid bird lover especially fond of the islands.
While the protectorate is uninhabited, its topography bears scars of human activity. The eastern half of Saluga was quarried in antiquity. Besides this, 12 feddans near the island’s southwest corner are currently under cultivation. The EEAA initially hoped to purchase the farmland, but budgetary constraints forced a compromise. Under the agreement, the farmers could continue to tend their crops provided they abided by the protectorate’s regulations.
Accessibility to the Nile islands
The Saluga and Ghazal protected area can be reached by a short felucca or motorboat ride from Aswan–a double-edged sword. Tourist visits to the protected islands can help educate the public on the importance of preserving biodiversity. On the other hand, the hordes of children who descend on the islands for school field trips can trample plants, litter and disturb the wildlife.