Arson attack on Hasswa Nature Reserve in Aden sparks outrage

ADEN, Dec. 28 (YPA) – Media outlets have revealed that Al Haswa Nature Reserve in Aden was recently subjected to an arson attack by unknown individuals, resulting in significant damage to parts of the reserve and its trees.

This incident has sparked widespread anger and condemnation among the people of Aden.

According to sources from agricultural workers within the reserve, the unknown perpetrators set fire to several trees in the area, with reports suggesting that a powerful individual may be attempting to turn the burned area into a commercial development.

The individual is allegedly seeking to obtain documents to claim the targeted land.

The sources confirmed that the fire was set intentionally, indicating that it was a premeditated act aimed at taking control of this important and vital location, which lies along the Bureika-Kaltax road.

Environmental activists and concerned citizens have warned about the dangers of such actions, which threaten the destruction of the reserve.

They have called on the relevant authorities to investigate the incident, hold those responsible accountable for this environmental crime, and intensify efforts to protect the reserve from further attacks and rehabilitate it, as it has become a dumping ground for waste and debris.

The Hasswa Nature Reserve in Aden is one of the most important natural reserves in the region, covering a vast area of approximately 200 hectares.

It is characterized by diverse terrain and a variety of wildlife. The reserve contains 23 plant species from 9 families, and 39 species of birds have been documented, four of which are endangered: the white-eyed gull, the sacred ibis, the black-headed heron, and the lesser flamingo, according to publications by the Ministry of Water and Environment and the General Authority for Environmental Protection in Aden.

@E.Y.M