Tartous, Coastal Region (SANA)-Nature reserves play an important role in achieving sustainable development and preserving the stability and balance of the environment in the coastal Syrian Province of Tartous.
They also provide a suitable environment for conducting scientific research and protecting the biological diversity in addition to investing the marginal lands in addition to developing tourism industry in Tartous.
Tartous Province is famous for its natural and artificial forests which extend over the western cliff of the coastal mountains as the Province embraces four nature reserves; East al-Shaara, al-Nabi (Prophet) Matta, Qarkafti and al-Kahf (Cave) Forest.
Director of the Biological Diversity and Nature Reserve Department in Tartous Hiba Salhab said the reserves were established because they enjoy a biological diversity as they embrace various rare plants in addition to the fact that they are surrounded by several archeological monuments.
Salhab pointed out to the role of the reserves in activating ecotourism movement in a way that would preserve these natural areas.
She underlined the importance of these reserves in linking forests with each other and enhancing the environmental and preventive role of the forests in cleaning the air of pollutants and industrial gases.
"The reserves promote the public health of the locals and improve the vegetation cover through protecting the soil from water and air erosion and preventing torrents," she added.
Director of Tartous Forest Department Hassan Salih said that his department works on protecting nature reserves through providing all the required infrastructures and the qualified technical staff for achieving the hoped-for goals behind establishing these reserves.
Salih added "the reserve of 'East al-Sharaa' in al-Kadmous is 70 Kms away from the city center. It consists of mountainous hills. It was established for preserving oak and terebinth trees in addition to protecting rare plant species such as maple, Syrian pear, Fir trees and some species of oak trees."
The reserve also aims at increasing animal diversity in the area and protecting the perennial medical and seasonal plants in addition to qualifying the area for ecotourism and spreading awareness over the importance of forests.
Several plant species grow in al-Shaara Reserve such as terebinth, oak, wild pear, olive, basil, maple and other tree species. A lot of plant species have been introduced to the nature reserve such as wormwood, robinia, cedar, laurel and pine trees.
Medical plants also grow in the reserve such as thyme, wild garlic, hyssop, dandelion, narcissus, Artemisia and lilies.
Al-Nabi Matta Nature Reserve is located in Dreikish area. It expands over an area of 650 hectares, 450 hectares of which are artificial forests and 200 hectares are planted with chestnut.
The reserve was established with the aim of preserving the mountainous ecosystem and the artificial forests in the area and protecting the endangered animals.
It enjoys a moderate temperature as the rate of rainfalls reaches 1800 millimeters annually. It includes several springs of pure water free of calcium. It is also surrounded by some important archeological sites such as 'Shiekh Deeb Castle', 'Bait al-Wadi Cave' and the archeological ' waterwheel'.
Qarkafti Nature Reserve was established in 1998 over an area of 41,0 hectares. The reserve aims at preventing soil erosion and torrents and preserving springs and water resources.
It also enhances sanitation and preserves the natural scene and the agricultural crops in the area.
Al-Kahf Forest reserve is a mountainous reserve surrounded by green valleys. At the center of the reserve there is an important archeological monument. The reserve was established for keeping the biological diversity and the wildlife in the area.
Ruaa al-Jazaeri/Zahra
