The Socotra Archipelago is in many ways yet a step back in time. The mountainous landscape encircled with passing clouds seems to resist development as it does the prevailing monsoon winds. Nonetheless, development pressures exist on Socotra and have begun to threaten the fragile balance between the Socotris and their environment. Most Socotris live without running water, electricity, or health care. There are few passable roads in Socotra, and only about 20 Kilometres of paved roadway. Meanwhile, the Government of Yemen is attempting to address primary development needs of the archipelago by following an integrated and evolving development plan.

Impact of the Airport

In July of 1999, a new airport opened on Socotra. This new facility has made the archipelago easily accessible after centuries of virtual isolation. Other recent developments include the first paved road, a port jetty, fuel storage facilities, new schools, improved telecommunication facilities, limited power supply in the central village of Hadibu, and the opening of small rest-houses. These developments and others have already brought positive changes to the lives of local people. However, these developments also threaten the survival of the islands' unique biodiversity, culture, traditions, and striking landscapes.

The two weekly flights connecting the island to the rest of Yemen are bringing in developers, tour operators, investors, traders and tourists from mainland and abroad. The island is therefore at a crossroads between becoming a popular class ecotourism destination, largely managed and protected by the local people themselves, or becoming a prey for short-sighted developers looking for short-term profit out of the natural resources of the archipelago.

Socotra Zoning Plan

Other development issues that may threaten the biodiversity and sustainable development of Socotra include off-shore oil development, illegal industrial fishery practices by foreign fleets, waste management, and unsustainable management of rangeland. In response to these and other threats, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Socotra Project team developed the Socotra Zoning Plan. The Project developed the Plan on the basis of extensive consultations with the local people and relevant authorities. The Plan's scientific basis includes the largest terrestrial and marine biodiversity survey efforts ever performed on the Archipelago, involving over 100 national and international scientists from numerous institutions.