Beekeepers work in a mangrove forest in Safaga area, Red Sea Province, Egypt, Nov. 28, 2020. Egypt's national project to expand mangrove forests along the coast of the Red Sea is meant to improve the environmental conditions, address climate change risks and achieve economic gains, an Egyptian official told Xinhua in a recent interview. Funded by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and implemented by the Desert Research Center and Red Sea Province, the project was launched in April with the aim of turning the coastal area into an outstanding tourist attraction, said Sayed Khalifa, director of the Mangrove Planting Project in Red Sea Province. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
CAIRO, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's national project to expand mangrove forests along the coast of the Red Sea is meant to improve the environmental conditions, address climate change risks and achieve economic gains, an Egyptian official told Xinhua in a recent interview.
Funded by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and implemented by the Desert Research Center and Red Sea Province, the project was launched in April with the aim of turning the coastal area into an outstanding tourist attraction, said Sayed Khalifa, director of the Mangrove Planting Project in Red Sea Province.
Under the plan, Egypt will plant 210 hectares of mangrove trees along the Red Sea coast in Hamata, Safaga and Shalateen areas as well as Nabq Nature Reserve in South Sinai Province.
Four plant nurseries were established to cultivate 50,000 seedlings every year, Khalifa said, adding 300,000 mangrove trees will be finally grown.
"Mangroves currently cover an area of some 5,000 square meters across Egypt," Khalifa said, noting the North African country is home to two types of the world's 14 species of mangroves.
The national project has also boosted ecotourism in the provinces of Red Sea and South Sinai, as most of the ecotourist attractions in Egypt are located in the two provinces, according to Khalifa.
"When we expand mangrove trees there, these places will attract more tourists, which means more income," he explained.
Egypt is the only country along the Red Sea coast that has established nurseries to cultivate mangrove seedlings, the official told Xinhua.
As salt-tolerant trees, Mangroves are adaptable to the harsh coastal conditions and can grow in the low-oxygen waterlogged mud. Their complex salt filtration system and root system allow for salt water immersion and wave action.
"Mangrove trees are a safe and rich shelter for birds and many marine and terrestrial animals. They also protect beaches from erosion and the expected sea level rise caused by global warming," Khalifa said.
Compared with the annual budget of 1 million Egyptian pounds (64,000 U.S. dollars) for the project, "the return is expected to be much higher," he revealed, adding most of the project's engineers and experts are working voluntarily.
In addition, the mangrove forests provide perfect environment for beekeeping and the production of high-quality honey, bringing great economic value and many jobs, Khalifa told Xinhua.
"We have started beekeeping projects at the forests ... This provides sustainable job opportunities for the residents," he said, adding mangroves also help increase fishery resources.
