Almasirah:Emirati Tampering With Socotra Island Can Result in Removing it from List of World Heritage

Emirati Tampering With Socotra Island Can Result in Removing it from List of World Heritage

News – Yemen: Experts specializing in the environmental field have warned of the UAE's tampering with the Yemeni island of Socotra.

The experts revealed the danger threatening the tourist reserves and natural heritage on the Yemeni island of Socotra, as a result of the Emirati tampering with the valleys and heights of the coastal strip of the Socotra archipelago.

The head of the Socotra Wildlife Society, Nasser Abdel Rahman, confirmed in a press statement, Monday, the existence of large-scale purchases of lands and mountainous heights in the tourist reserves, in the Socotra archipelago, led by officials of the local authority loyal to the Emirates.

Nasser considered, “The selling of lands and vast areas overlooking the coasts and beaches is an explicit violation of local and international laws that criminalize selling in such places as they are a world heritage and a natural reserve.”

In September 2020, press reports revealed that the UAE and its loyal factions on the island had carried out large-scale purchases of lands and important mountainous heights in the archipelago's tourist reserves, which were led by the Emirati representative, Khalfan Al Mazrouei, and a number of leaders affiliated with the coalition.

According to reports, among those lands are large areas in the coast (Delsha) located north of Socotra to the east of the capital, Hadiboh, which is one of the most beautiful and important tourist beaches that visitors and tourists from all over the world come to enjoy with its clean air and stunning views, and another in the national park in the reserve ( Dixum), in addition to buying a large area on the coast of the “Qa’ara” region, southwest of Socotra.

Reports confirmed that the Emirati delegate fenced off the land that was purchased and built inside, and placed strict security guards on it from outside Socotra and surveillance cameras to track citizens.

It is worth noting that Article (385) of the Yemeni Law of 2015 prohibits owning or owning sea beaches, coasts and natural reserves, and the law regulates their exploitation and use.

Environmental experts and organizations had previously warned of the possibility of excluding Socotra from the World Natural Heritage List due to the tampering with which the island was exposed at the hands of the coalition forces.

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