Kershif A Traditional Building Material on the Lakes

Kershif: A Traditional Building Material on the Lakes of Siwa Protected Area Arab Republic of Egypt Dr. Yousria Hamed Manager of Siwa Protected Area Nature Conservation Sector Ministry of State of Environmental Affairs February 2012

Indigenous Knowledge and Protected Areas in Egypt Local communities in Egypt have good knowledge about their local environment and methods to use it sustainably. St Katherine Protectorate

Siwa Protected Area • Siwa PA Locates on the North West of Egypt; • Declared on 2002 and covers 7800 kms; • Three separated sectors; • Diverse ecosystems; • Unique cultural heritage;

Siwa Protected Area

Traditional Use of Natural Resources Grazing on the natural plants Abundance of water and agriculture Related traditional crafts Tourism Therapy (Sand Treatment) Extracting salt from lakes for various purposes

Lakes of Siwa 12 lakes spread around the Protected Area Salt marshes (Sabkha) around the lakes

Kershif What is Kershif

Kershif

Shali fortress built on the 12 th century

Current use of Kershif

Current use of Kershif

Kershif and ecotourism Kershif is used in various forms in eco-lodges within Siwa, It supports the provision of authentic cultural experience Local Community Ecotourism Conservation Partnership

Eco-lodges Taziry Eco-lodge Cleopatra Hotel

Adrare Amellal a model for ecotourism follows an approach that preserves the cultural values of Siwa Employment opportunities for 600 Siwans high quality national and international tourists

Photos of Adrare Amellal

Photos of Adrare Amellal Lake and Palm Trees Side

Photos of Adrare Amellal Inside the Rooms

Photos of Adrare Amellal Utilisation of Salt

Thank You hamedyousria@yahoo. co. uk