Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

Yemen has sector strategies and action plans for the agricultural, fisheries, environmental and other development sectors, enhancing education and awareness to adopt better resource management strategies [ ] 237 Raising awareness for better practices Because of its altitudinal variation and its location at the crossroads of the African, Asian and Palearctic ecological zones, Yemen has a wide range of terrestrial, coastal and marine natural habitats, species and genetic diversity, including many endemic species. These resources are of major economic importance because of their potential for tourism and the wildlife and fisheries they support. Also, numerous plants are used in traditional medicine, in local industries, and for grazing and fuel wood. Yemen formulated its National Bi- odiversity Strategies and Action Plan with the inclusion of stakeholders, local communities and NGOs in the coordination and consultation phas- es. Although the responsibility for environmental education and aware- ness lies on all institutions dealing with biodiversity, the education and awareness unit of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has been the most active in this regard. The unit issues an Environment Magazine on a quarterly basis and actively par- ticipates in the environmental page in Al-Thawra daily newspaper, publish- ing environmental news, information and newspaper articles. The EPA provides the national TV and radio stations with environ- mental information and audiovisual materials to produce TV spots and documentary programmes. It coop- erates with many national partners in producing bulletins, posters and bro- chures to enhance public awareness in general workshops, environment clubs, school campaigns and summer camps. It also organizes and actively participates in environmental events such as world international environ- mental day, water environmental day and desertification day. Yemen has sector strategies and action plans for the agricultural, fisheries, environmental and other development sectors, enhancing edu- cation and awareness to adopt better resource management strategies. Regulation of marine resources such as fish takes place through laws and by-laws which strictly inhibit fishing in the spawning seasons. Livelihood alternatives for the local communi- ties reduce pressure and excessive demands on the natural resources. Community cooperation is a key element, with awareness programmes on sustainable natural resources exploitation for local communities and stakeholders. This enables the adoption of environment-friendly methods and techniques as alterna- tives to the bad practices that have destroyed habitats in the past. Hornhill plateau, Socotra Yemen Y emen has a rich variety of both biodiversity and landscapes, reflecting the variety in geology and altitudes found within the country. Located at the junction of several major biogeographic zones, Yemen provides important passage and resting sites for migratory birds and marine resources, and is a significant centre for wild relatives of domestic crops. The country has a variety of habitats which range from coastal mangroves, shrublands and dunes along the coastal plains to the eastern deserts and an array of mountain habitats. It has also long been a centre for breeding and selection of cultivated plants and livestock. Valerian Guillot on flickr

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