EL AHRASH

"There is no shortage of water in the desert but exactly the right amount , a perfect ratio of water to rock, water to sand, insuring that wide free open, generous spacing among plants and animals.

Edward Abbey

This protected area was established in 1985.

It is located on Sinai's Mediterranean coast on the border of the Gaza Strip.

It is an area of coastal sand dunes and its importance lies in the positive effects on soil protection and water resources.

The dense plant and trees coverage (including Acasia and Tamarix) fixate the sand dunes, that reach 60 metres above sea level.

On the sand dunes grow trees, herbs and grass which maintain the subterranean water and its salinity.

This vegetation provides food and cover for wild animals and birds as well as it provides firewood and grazing grounds for local communities.

Some of the vegetation in the area has been cultivated for sand stabilization and to provide fodder for livestock.

Overgrazing and over-collection of firewood, as a result, are now threatening this already fragile coastal ecosystem.

(At present there is no tourism allowed in this area.)