Wildlife and biodiversity conservation Malhan Rese

Monthly Performance Report - Local Partner Sanid Organization (Nature Conservation Sector)

Project: Conservation of Biodiversity in the Malhan Conservation Area

November 2022 / AD

General information about the reserve in Yemen:

• The Malhan Reserve is located in Al-Mahweet Governorate and is characterized by being one of the few sites that still maintains the density of its natural vegetation cover, which depends on wildlife and animal life (mammals - reptiles - and insects ), as well as due to the small number of local residents present in it and their practice of customs and traditions that call for the preservation of that heritage And in the interest of its deterioration, as it exchanges care for them, provides them with their living requirements , and enjoys the beauty of its picturesque nature.

Location:

• Malhan is a mountain of Manea Husayn, west of Al-Mahweet Governorate, overlooking the city of Al- Mahjim from Tihama, and perpendicular to Jabal Hafash from the west, which was known in the past as Rishan. In terms of coordinates, it lies between the following two lines:
• 00  17  43N     30  7  15E
• 3017  43N     0024  15E

Space:

• The area of the directorate is estimated at (320) square kilometers.

the border:

• The borders of the forest coincide with the administrative borders of the Malhan District of Al Mahwit Governorate and the Tihama Plains, which are from the north, Hafash District, from the south, Al Dhaha District, Al Hudaydah Governorate, and Bani Saad District, and from the west, Al Zaydiyah and Al Mikhlaf Districts.

Population:

• The population of the Malhan district is estimated at about (89,224) thousand people (according to the 2004 census).
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Executed activities:

• Coordinating with the Public Authority for the Protection of the Environment for the field trip by the organization’s team to the reserve to conduct a field survey.
• Discovering a number of rare bird species in the reserve , including migratory and endemic birds Due to what is available in it of dense vegetation cover and fertile environmental diversity filled with various types of birds , the reserve abounds with many migratory and endemic birds that breed and spread mainly in it, including (Arab partridge - Abu Hammer (Ghayl hen) - Abu Qerdan and Abyssinian crow - Yellow nightingale Disability - Abu Maal Al-Ramadi - Ringed Pigeon - Ablaq Al-Jazeera) Preparing integrated studies on natural areas - which are supposed to be approved as natural reserves for birds in the Directorate of Malhan - in coordination with the Environmental Protection Authority in Al-Mahweet, due to the availability of natural and vital diversity, distinctive and fertile, and the rare birds in it Multiple wild animals . It provides all the factors and elements that enable this directorate to be adopted as a natural reserve, especially after the results of environmental surveys revealed the existence of a large cultural and civilizational diversity and a huge and unique environmental, natural and vital diversity that must be urgently protected from the state of urban expansion and human encroachment, which cannot be achieved unless this directorate is approved New nature reserve .
• A statistic was prepared with the names and pictures of many birds present in those areas, among which were known as “the wanderer , partridge, eagle, sparrowhawk, Abu Qerdan, and the hoopoe; in addition to other types of birds, pigeons, vultures, and others.
• Endeavor with the competent and interested authorities to quickly adopt these areas and other natural areas of the governorate as natural reserves for birds.
• SANED (Nature Conservation Sector) through the official and competent authorities , seeks to activate the laws in force in Yemen that provide for the protection of this type of reserves and areas qualified to be bird sanctuaries . For five years, to serve as an example to all those who attack these reserves and their birds, by implementing the following:
• Coordination and educating the people of the areas where the reserve is located and inhabited by these rare birds 
• Training of volunteers from local activists in the targeted areas on the process of monitoring and reporting violations against rare birds, whether migratory or endemic. 
• Two meetings were held with the Environmental Protection Authority and proposals were submitted on work and coordination between the organization and the authority in contracting with legal offices and consultants to review the laws in force in Yemen concerned with protecting rare birds as well as protected ones in general and preserving their beauty as an authentic Yemeni cultural and cultural heritage.
• Submitting a letter to the Environmental Protection Authority to address the Yemeni government to stop all permits for the release of rare birds in the Malhan Reserve and other reserves.
• Intensifying awareness-raising efforts in areas where rare birds of all kinds are found by criminalizing smuggling and killing, and reporting any dangers to which these birds are exposed.
• Intensifying visits to educational institutions (schools, universities and institutes) to inform students of the importance of preserving and protecting reserves, the most important of which is the Malhan Reserve, in coordination with educational institutions.
• drawing up plans for reserves,
• Continuous meetings with the competent authorities in the government to activate the role of protection and legal prosecution of the perpetrators of crimes against bulldozing reserves.
• Providing medical care to some birds by giving them vaccinations and special food supplies to keep them alive.
• Providing food under the supervision of a veterinary specialist for the Arabian tigers in the Malhan Reserve.

Indicators:

1.  High level of awareness of the importance of preserving the reserve, not bulldozing it, not using its trees for firewood, and the need to protect it and preserve the beauty and splendor of its nature.

1. The relative response from the official authorities regarding the activation of the laws for the protection of the reserve and its rare birds and wild animals) and the reduction of smuggling and killing of it and the reduction of its bulldozing.

Challenges and obstacles:

1.  The deterioration of the economic situation in Yemen and its reflection on the deterioration of the environmental situation.

2.  The government's inability to provide the necessary needs for reserves, including the density of trees, birds and animals.

3.  The lack of strict application of the laws in force by the government against those who neglect the importance of natural environmental wealth and authentic animals.

4.  Lack of standard reserves.  

5.  Poor capabilities for monitoring and tracking migratory birds.

6.  Lack of support and donations.

7.  Prior coordination with the competent authorities (the Supreme Council for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - the Ministry of Agriculture - the local community - the Environmental Protection Authority.

1. Get acquainted with many Yemeni regions, in which there are beautiful areas that can be declared as natural reserves.

Lessons learned:

• Continuous communication with donors through globalgiving and clarifying the status of the reserve in Yemen, which is considered one of the most important natural and indigenous national animal resources in Yemen and the extent of its exposure to danger.

 Upcoming activities:

• Follow up the agreements and minutes of previous meetings held between the organization and the competent governmental and popular authorities with regard to protecting and preserving the reserve.
• Follow up the government in finding legal and logistical government support
• Communicate with the reliable and competent partners on the ground.
• Community awareness (awareness sessions by a team of volunteers and stakeholders.
• Conducting an evaluation questionnaire on the community's acceptance of the need to protect and preserve reserves in times of wars and conflicts.
• Searching for financial funding for the purpose of establishing centers for monitoring migratory birds, their movements and the risks they are exposed to,
• Field visits to the reserve accompanied by a veterinary team to see the health of animals and birds. Ensure that trees are not cut back by citizens and used as firewood.

• Monthly Performance Report - Local Partner Sanid O (PDF)
  

The protected area has recently became  exposed to deliberate erosion as a result of the urgent needs of the people living near it who commenced using  the wood of the protected trees for cooking purposes instead of domestic gas, which has become almost non-existent or at high prices that cannot be afforded in addition of using the leaves of the  trees for feeding their animals and livestock  that are raised in homes due to the harsh and an unaffordable economic and financial situation under which the country is going through  as a result of prolonged ongoing armed conflict since March 2015.

The Malhan Reserve, known for its long-term vegetation cover and attractive picturesque nature, has been negatively affected due to the above-mentioned mankind activities and the negligence and irresponsibility of the official and popular stakeholders that will unequivocally lead to the annihilation and disappearance of this natural wealth and attractive beauty.

In view of this situation in the reserve, Sanid organization, through the sector of environmental and nature conservation, bears the responsibility to confront these absurd acts against the reserve and work to limit the collapse of its beauty and its continuity through the following activities carried out by its sector at the local level in Al Mahwit Governorate or at the central level.

Community Awareness Raising: SONCS carried out 3 field visits to the Malhan Reserve to figure out the latest developments in the reserve and submit a report on the outcomes of the reserve, along with appropriate protective recommendations to the concerned authorities represented by the Environmental Protection Authority, local authorities and the Ministry of Water and Agriculture, where discussions were held on the conditions of the reserve and available means for protection purposes.

• SONCS has established an awareness bulletin designed to raise community awareness on the importance of preserving the reserve from gradual destruction and disappearance, which will commence the publication on quarterly basis with effect from the third quarter of 2022.
• SONIC will disseminate direct electronic and hard copy messages to the competent authorities urging them to carry out their duties and responsibilities towards the protection of Milhan and other reserves.
• SONIC has formed A field team of experienced and qualified professionals to hold a discussion seminar for experts, specialized university doctors, and official and social leaders to come up with appropriate protective solutions and measures for the preservation of the natural beauty of the preserve as well as educating women and youth on the importance of protection of the reserves.
• SONIC will prepare a school program in coordination with the Education Office in Al Mahwit Governorate, which is broadcast on school radios as an awareness aspect of the importance of nature reserves and the need to preserve them. This program will begin with the beginning of the new school year, which will start next September 2022.
  
  

  SONCS participated in 4 consultative meetings in the field of environmental protection, including official and popular bodies, and distributed many targeted brochures and pamphlets that would contribute to raising society's awareness of the importance of preserving the environment in all its components.

  In view of the humble capabilities of SONCS, which do not meet the expectation and ambition of providing the required services to the Malhan Reserve, it is making every effort to move towards achieving its goals, calling the GlobalGiving platform to great and wide interaction in support and implementation of its activities for the great success achieved in achieving its goals set within its project plan. .

  Through its continuous activity and diligent follow-up, SONCS was able to raise the local community awareness on the importance of preserving the reserve and to minimize the trees cutting to an unimaginable level.