Socotra, the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean

A view of the Socotra Archipelago with the Gulf of Aden in the background. RIGHT: A panoramic view of the Socotra Archipelago.PICTURES: Haifaa Abdulhalim

By Haifaa Abdulhalim/IUCN ROWA - World Heritage Co-ordinator for Arab States and ARC-WH Programme specialist- Natural Heritage

 In the northwest Indian Ocean, near the Gulf of Aden is the Socotra Archipelago, stretching across four islands and two rocky islets. Socotra is one of the most biodiversity rich and distinct islands in the world. Due to its universal importance, the World Heritage Committee inscribed it in 2008 to the World Heritage List becoming one of only 4 natural world heritage sites in the region. Socotra is also called the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean”. extending over 250km and appears as a prolongation of the Horn of Africa.

Socotra is globally important for biodiversity conservation for its exceptionally rich and distinct flora and fauna. 37% of Socotra’s plant species, 90% of its reptile species and 95% of its land snail species do not occur anywhere else in the world. Socotra is of particular importance to the Horn of Africa’s biodiversity hotspot and, as one of the most biodiversity rich and distinct islands in the world, has been termed the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean”.

Local communities of Socotra are very dependent on its natural resources. The major benefits of Socotra to the local and wider communities are:

l The property provides around 25 jobs for its management in addition to other jobs

l The coastal waters around Socotra contribute greatly to the diet and livelihood of the local population and have the potential to support a considerable sustainable fishing industry.

l Strong traditional livestock economy based on goats, as well as cattle and sheep, with a strong contribution to local livelihoods.  

l Contributing to traditional knowledge, the scientific understanding of island biogeography, conservation biology, climate change and other subject areas.

On another note, Socotra’s natural resources also have significant uses at national, regional and sometime global levels mainly from medicinal plants and honey.

Socotra’s values are exceptional on a global scale and have been comparatively well-preserved by its people until the late 20th Century. Therefore, much is at stake, as the island is undergoing rapid development that brings about unprecedented pressures and threats. Since the inscription of the site in the World Heritage list investments in tourism and visiting pressures are increasing promptly. Current and potential threats to Socotra’s values include development of infrastructure and unsustainable tourism, increasing pressure on natural resource, illegal hunting, overfishing and overgrazing, invasive species, and climate change.

Consequently, in order to ensure sustainable development, and control pressures and threats, the management regime of Socotra needs to be strengthened. A management framework for Socotra’s values is under development, taking in consideration institutional arrangements to facilitate the process of the implementation of management and conservation measures effectively. Priority areas include:

l The creation of an Island Wide Authority,

l Visitor management

l Participation of local people in management

l Proposed actions include:

l Enforcing legislations

l Cross-sector mainstreaming

l Strengthening capacity

l Science-based decision making

•          The effective use of traditional knowledge

IUCN in collaboration with Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage is working in partnership under  the TABE’A programme (Nature World Heritage Programme for Arab States) to support the World Heritage Convention implementation in Arab Region. Part of this programme is implemented in Socotra through providing technical and financial support for the government of Yemen represented by the Environment Protection Authority. Therefore, EPA in Socotra with support from TABE’A programme have developed a strategy for EPA aiming at co-ordinating all undergoing or future activities in Socotra, taking into consideration the new legal status of Socotra as an independent governorate. On another note, this programme supports some of the local initiatives that generate income as well as participate in nature conservation. IUCN ROWA and ARC-WH are looking forward to expand its role in other inscribed World Heritage sites and provide all possible technical and financial support in Arab States.