Green Bridges Concludes Its Activities with the Formation of a Committee to Rehabilitate Nature Reserves in Al-Buraiqah District

Ruaa Centre for Strategic Studies, Consultancy and Training concluded today, Wednesday, the activities of the “Green Bridges” Initiative, which aimed to strengthen local partnerships in managing environmental conflicts and protecting nature reserves in Aden. The initiative was implemented as part of the “Peace Infrastructure” Project, carried out by the Political Development Forum in partnership with the German Berghof Foundation, with support and funding from the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The fourth and final day of the initiative included a field visit to Khor Bir Ahmed Nature Reserve in Al-Buraiqah District, with the participation of 30 representatives from the local authority, community committees, the General Authority for Environmental Protection, coastal women’s associations, environmental activists, and other local stakeholders. The visit aimed to provide participants with first-hand knowledge of the current situation of the reserve and the challenges facing the protection of its environment and natural resources.

During the field visit, participants explored the reserve’s main environmental features and the challenges affecting its protection. They also discussed the importance of strengthening local partnerships to protect and rehabilitate the reserve, as well as making use of local knowledge and expertise to develop sustainable mechanisms for managing natural resources.

Following the field visit, a dialogue session was held to discuss the key observations and challenges identified during the visit, as well as ways to strengthen coordination and cooperation among government authorities, local communities, and environmental stakeholders. The discussions focused on contributing to the protection of nature reserves and reducing conflicts related to environmental resources.

The dialogue sessions were facilitated by Dr Jamal Bawazir, Head of the Environment Unit at Ruaa Centre, who led discussions on mechanisms for managing environmental conflicts and the importance of establishing sustainable channels for dialogue and coordination among the various stakeholders involved in protecting nature reserves and managing their resources.

As one of the key outcomes of the initiative, a Committee for the Rehabilitation of Nature Reserves in Al-Buraiqah District was established. The committee will cover Khor Bir Ahmed Reserve, Al-Azizi Island, and Ras Amran, with the aim of strengthening coordination among relevant local stakeholders, supporting efforts to rehabilitate these sites, and preserving their environmental and natural value.

Participants also discussed a number of proposals aimed at strengthening participatory environmental governance, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and improving communication and information-sharing mechanisms. These measures are intended to support participatory approaches to addressing environmental issues and reinforce shared responsibility for protecting nature reserves.

At the conclusion of the initiative, participants reaffirmed the principles of partnership and environmental conflict management, as well as the importance of adopting a participatory approach to managing nature reserves. Such an approach should involve diverse stakeholders, draw upon local knowledge, and strengthen cooperation among government institutions, local communities, civil society organisations, and environmental activists.

Dr Jaklin Mansour Al-Batani, President of Ruaa Centre, stated that concluding the initiative with a field visit, participatory dialogue, and the establishment of a rehabilitation committee represents a transition from training and knowledge-building to practical action. She emphasised that protecting and rehabilitating nature reserves requires genuine and sustainable partnerships among all relevant local actors and stakeholders.

Al-Batani further explained that the “Green Bridges” Initiative sought to create a space that brings different stakeholders together around environmental issues and strengthens their capacity to manage conflicts through dialogue, mutual understanding, and partnership. She stressed the importance of continuing to work on the initiative’s outcomes and translating them into practical steps that contribute to protecting Aden’s coastal and marine environment.

The “Green Bridges” Initiative forms part of Ruaa Centre’s efforts to strengthen social cohesion by addressing environmental issues through participatory approaches, building the capacities of local actors, supporting environmental governance, and protecting nature reserves. These efforts aim to contribute to sustainable solutions to challenges associated with natural resources.

The initiative concluded with the distribution of certificates to participants in recognition of their active participation in the training programme and dialogue sessions, and in support of their role in advancing efforts to protect and rehabilitate nature reserves in Al-Buraiqah District.