Ababda eco-village in Egypt draws tourists while safeguarding mangroves
Al-Qula’an, an Ababda-run eco-village in Egypt’s Wadi El Gemal protected area on the Red Sea, has shifted from subsistence fishing to community-led eco-tourism while protecting its sensitive mangrove coastline. Conservationists point to the site as evidence that tourism and environmental stewardship can align – a timely example as development pressures rise across protected areas.
The village manages daily visits with strict rules that deter littering, coral damage and overfishing, underpinned by traditional practices and local oversight. Its mangroves provide nursery habitat for marine life and nesting sites for endangered sea turtles, while small-scale facilities were bolstered by solar power and desalination in 2018. Wider support comes via the $14.25 million UNDP–Egyptian Red Sea Initiative launched in 2024, which backs community businesses through 2030 to reduce pressure for high-impact developments, contrasting with contested proposals at nearby sites such as Ras Hankorab.
Source: News Mongabay
