Eritrea's Coastal Marine and Island Biodiversity Conservation Project
Eritrea's Coastal Marine and Island Biodiversity Conservation Project
Eritrea's Coastal Marine and Island Biodiversity Conservation Project
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To rehabilitate the severely affected rangel<strong>and</strong>s, the MoA under the National Livestock Development <strong>Project</strong>, is piloting a rangel<strong>and</strong> development at<br />
Gahro, at the tip periphery of the Southern Red Sea region. By ameliorating the range condition the project will serve the communities of the Rahayta<br />
administrative region with a better rangel<strong>and</strong> for animal grazing.<br />
2.5. Traditional <strong>Conservation</strong> Practices<br />
The Afar people have traditional beliefs against cutting trees <strong>and</strong> the killing of wild animals. According to their belief, cutting the entire canopy of a<br />
tree would entail anger <strong>and</strong> wrath from the heavens, <strong>and</strong> the killing of wild animals in particular the grazers <strong>and</strong> browsers, is the direct cause for<br />
drought; they believe in ‘God gives rain for the sake of wild animals, <strong>and</strong> if all wild animals are decimated, there will be no rain.’<br />
The inhabitants of Dahlak Kebir Isl<strong>and</strong> also have a cultural approach to conserve the wild Soemmerring’s gazelles. Young goats <strong>and</strong> sheep that are<br />
born in the absence of an owner are not marked for ownership. These unmarked goats <strong>and</strong> sheep remain the property of the community, <strong>and</strong> are used<br />
during public celebrations or in welcoming guests. The inhabitants of this isl<strong>and</strong> use this practice as a trade-off to save the Soemmerring’s gazelles.<br />
State of the Coast Eritrea, 2006-2007 12
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