Conservation in Egypt

The Nature Conservation Sector (NCS), established in 1994, is responsible for the management of Parks Egypt, as well as for the conservation of nature throughout the country. The NCS is entrusted with implementing policies, programs, studies and other actions that ensure compliance with the nation's habitat and species protection legislation as well as Egypt’s commitment to the relevant international conventions.

Egypt's natural heritage is rich with a wide diversity of ecosystems that render it unique worldwide. For this reason, in 1983, the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs began declaring protected areas, now known collectively as Parks Egypt. By 2007, 27 protected areas covered more than 14% of Egypt. Parks Egypt is planned to further expand to comprehensively represent all of Egypt's natural habitats and ecosystems. By 2017 this will include a total of 40 protected areas covering approximately 17% of the country.

Egypt lies at the northeast corner of Africa at the junction of four biogeographical regions; Irano-Turanian, Mediterranean, Saharo-Sindian and Afrotropical. At the same time it is at the center of the great Saharo-Sindian desert belt that runs from Morocco on the northwest corner of Africa to the high, cold deserts of central Asia. Egypt is bounded on the north and east by two largely enclosed seas, the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. This unique position is enhanced by the circumstance that it is divided by the Nile, the longest river in the world. Most of Egypt is either arid or hyper arid. However, due to its very varied eco-zones, the country is home to a wide diversity of terrestrial habitats, flora and fauna.

Since time immemorial, Egypt was traversed by migratory peoples; some of them have settled in this ancient land and each group has influenced the country in its own way. Their indigenous knowledge and traditions constitute an important part of Egypt's cultural heritage, which has been largely eclipsed by the wonders of Ancient Egypt, its grand tombs, pyramids and temples. The indigenous cultures are also threatened by the intrusion of modern civilization. Promoting the welfare of these people not only conserves their unique knowledge and culture but also leads to the conservation of nature through traditional means and ethics.

Similarly, ecosystems and habitats must be maintained to safeguard species, without which we would not be able to protect ecosystems and habitats. In Egypt, the fairly low number of species and the relatively large number of eco-zones and habitats makes the preservation of both especially important.