Socotra is an archipelago about 200 miles off the coast of Yemen. It is described as the original Garden of Eden and the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean. It is a precious wildlife jewel that has been undisturbed for eons. It is the home of the dragon blood tree and the Egyptian vulture.
Yemen’s relentless war looks like it is going to destroy it. Another example of humankind’s inability to leave wildlife alone. I am afraid no corner of the planet is unaffected negatively it seems by voracious human activity.
The Times has visited the island and reported that there are hundreds of United Arab Emirates (UAE) flags in Hadiboh, on the main island. Children chant their thanks to the founder of the UAE.
The UAE are accused of indoctrinating the kids to conquer the island. The inhabitants of Socotra say that the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been vying for control of their home for influence for ages. They build mosques, hospitals and houses to occupy and influence it.
Their land is being bought by Emirati businessmen. They are changing the place and the economy.
Many islanders who were fishermen have now enlisted into the Abu Dhabi armed forces. Coral gemstones are looted together with the seeds of the rare dragon blood tree that was once protected and conserved.
Sachel, who works to protect the trees said:
The Emiratis have changed our culture. We used to care for our trees and now we sell their seeds for money. We used to [defend] our land and now we give it up. We never had wars or fighting and now every Socotri has been given a UAE gun.
The travel sector on the island has lost much of its workforce to Abu Dhabi or Dubai after almost a decade of war.
The new military based has encroach onto the protected beaches and push out wildlife.
Sachel said that the Emiratis “can do what they want” in reference to a concrete wall construction that blocks the sea across Hawari beach, the location of the main port.
Sachel adds that the Emirati are the “real rulers of this land. Their actions go unpunished.”
There has been a marked decline in sightings of loggerhead turtles on Qadamah beach in the northeast because the Emirati have built holiday homes on it.
There is a new UAE naval base on Abdul Kuri island the most westerly of the archipelago’s four islands.
The Saudi military operate from an airbase on Socotra.
Criticism by the locals is stiffled by threats of deportation of relatives from the UAE to where they emigrated.
The UAE deny the accusations and claim that they are benefiting the island by providing jobs, a hospital and schools. Life expectancy of the locals has risen it is claimed.
The locals accept the UAE’s influence as overall they feel the benefits it is said.
The problem for me is that wildlife is being destroyed. Just another day on planet Earth.
