Floods are usually known for their destructive forces in urban communities. However, floods in the Eastern Desert has recently filled valleys with water, painting desert mountains green and prompting the return of wildlife that had left the area years ago.
The event prompted hundreds of Bedouin tribes and environmental researchers in the region to demand that the ministries of agriculture and water resources establish dams in order to maintain the conditions provided by the flood.
Al-Beshareya tribe Chief Taher Seddo said increased rainfall contributed to an increase of water volume in local aquifers returning the green color of pastures and grass to the area for the first time in years.
It also contributed to the stability of a number of Bedouin tribes by providing a source of water as well as a suitable environment for grazing, he added.
Environmental and geological expert Haggag Nasr Eddin confirmed that this region, situated on the Red Sea, has not been exposed to heavy rain for years causing it to lose both wildlife and plantlife.
Frequent waves of rains and floods this year would return wildlife to these valleys and contribute to the reintroduction and stability of many wild species to the area such as the Egyptian deer, hares, and even the predatory Arabian Leopard as well as desert grasses, said Nasr Eddin.
Nasr Eddin expects this region to revive wildlife tourism in Egypt.
He called on safari organizers to organize tours in the area, impose tighter security preventing the hunting of animals, and ensure commitment to environmental preservation.
Saad al-Quraishy, director general of agriculture in the Red Sea governorate, said that the Agriculture Ministry is interested in taking advantage of rain and flood water and does not want to waste time in developing an agricultural environment that has the ability to adapt to rainwater. Training Bedouins in the best ways to store rainwater and coordinating efforts with the Irrigation Ministry to identify areas for the construction of dams is important, he added.
