“Qarun” is decorated with green roads and a climate educational center…and “Al-Dabbabiya” is on the tourist map
_Pioneer projects to develop the Fayoum and Luxor reserves… protecting nature and encouraging eco-tourism.
Within the areas of work of the Small Grants Program of the Global Environment Facility (GEF/SGP), which include biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection, The seventh phase of the program, which extends from 2022 to 2026, includes the implementation of 3 pilot projects to develop the “Qaroun” reserve. In Fayoum Governorate, and “Al-Dabbabiya” Reserve. In Luxor Governorate.
One of these projects is the “Green Roads and Ecotourism in the Qarun Natural Reserve” project, which is being implemented by the Environmental Conservation Society in Fayoum, with funding from the Small Grants Program, with the aim of achieving sustainable development in means of transportation within the reserve. And contribute to reducing carbon emissions to limit climate change, by integrating local residents, workers and visitors into the project activities.
The “Green Roads in the Reserve” project includes Qarun» Purchasing and providing 60 mountain electric bicycles, powered by solar energy, and equipped to operate with mobile phone applications, with the construction of a special 15-kilometre bicycle path, in the “Jabal Qatrani” area. Within the reserve, in addition to establishing two stations for parking and charging bicycles at the beginning and end of the path, and establishing rest houses equipped with solar energy to serve visitors to the reserve.
Among the expected results of this project is the provision of a clean and sustainable energy source for charging electric bicycles and the stations and rest houses within the reserve. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gases, in addition to encouraging the use of bicycles as an environmentally friendly means of transportation within the reserve, to improve public health, stimulate the local economy, as well as encourage eco-tourism, provide an opportunity to visit the reserve’s landmarks using bicycles, and provide job opportunities. In the field of maintenance and management of bicycle stations.
In the same reserve, the Badir Association for Sustainable Development began implementing the project “Establishing an educational center for climate change and biodiversity” with the aim of contributing to raising the cultural level and awareness among those interested in the environment of the importance of heritage components. The cultural and natural nature of the Qarun Reserve and its connection to climate change and the contemporary history of the region. In its implementation, the project relies on a set of components that include strengthening heritage preservation efforts by promoting the natural and cultural resources of the reserve, establishing and equipping an educational center to display the reserve’s heritage using artificial intelligence applications, providing documented and scientifically referenced educational materials about the natural and cultural heritage of the Qarun Reserve, and linking heritage. cultural of the region and the ancient Egyptian civilization.
This project is expected to contribute to increasing the degree of awareness of the scientific, historical and archaeological importance of the Qarun Reserve among the local community. And visitors, and creating a source of income that can be used to maximize the resources necessary to protect and preserve the natural and cultural wealth of the reserve, in addition to increasing the participation of local communities in managing and preserving the Qarun Reserve, and increasing the degree of awareness and understanding of the links between the Qarun Reserve and climate change.
In Luxor Governorate, the “Eco-tourism and Sustainable Management of the Dabbabiya Reserve” project is being implemented through the Abu Bakr Association for Community Development in Al-Toud, with the aim of increasing the demand for eco-tourism in the reserve. And managing it in a sustainable manner, by developing the infrastructure of the site to maximize its environmental and geological value, developing the services provided, and providing various programs and activities to improve the experience of visitors within the reserve.
The expected results of the project include providing an enjoyable cultural and environmental experience for the visitors of the Dabbabiya Reserve, and increasing Site capacity The reserve is expected to receive groups of visitors, commensurate with its global geological value, and improve the mental image of the Dababiya Reserve site, in addition to enhancing the participation of the local community in supporting and protecting the reserve site, and providing documented information about the reserve on the international information network, as well as promoting the Dabbabiya Reserve site within the programs. Tourism in Luxor Governorate.
