The entire Socotra Archipelago is considered by the Government of Yemen and Socotris as a special conservation area of high global importance. The people of Socotra have lived in a sound balance with their environment for centuries, and until recent days effectively conserved the biodiversity upon which they depend. The Zoning Plan focuses on the preservation of existing traditional uses and practices of the local Socotri communities to ensure future sustainable use of natural resources. In most cases, traditional practices are highly compatible with the objectives of biodiversity conservation. The close link between the need to preserve traditional practices of the local communities and the objectives of biodiversity conservation and sustainable use receive full support in the Zoning Plan and at the local level.

Key Zones

The Zoning Plan creates several key zones in Socotra:

1. Resource Use Zone
2. General use Zone
3. Nature Sanctuaries

Resource Use Zone
Areas managed to ensure long-term protection of the unique biological diversity of Socotra Archipelago, while providing at the same time, a sustainable flow of natural products and services to meet community needs. Within the Resource Use Reserve, traditional practices are in place, for the sustainable use of natural resources. Such practices are effectively enforced by the community itself, and will be supported by the establishment of the Reserves. These areas are large enough to absorb natural resource uses without detriment to its overall long-term natural values. For the marine component, all waters within the 12 nautical miles around the archipelago form the Resource Use Zone.

Summary
Approximate Total Area Covered (terrestrial):	890 km2
Percentage of Total Land Area:	23.5%
Approximate Total Area Covered (marine):	16.498 km2

Objectives

To protect and maintain the unique biological diversity of Socotra Archipelago, as well as other natural, cultural and landscape values of the area in the long term. To maintain and, if appropriate, contribute to the improvement and strengthening of existing traditional management practices for the sustainable use of natural resources. To protect the natural resource base from being alienated for other land and resource use purposes that would be detrimental to the unique biological diversity, and to the subsistence of the local community who relies on it.

General Use Zone
Set within the Resource Use Reserve Zone, the General Use Zones include sites where a significant level of habitat modification and/or resource exploitation has already occurred or is required to support essential economic interests of the community of the archipelago.

Summary
Approximate Total Area Covered (terrestrial):	55 km2
Percentage on Resource Use Reserve (terrestrial):	6.14%
Percentage on Total Land Area:	1.4%
Approximate Total Area Covered (marine):	1 km2

Objectives

To allow for the development of essential infrastructure required to improve the standard of living of the local community (i.e. roads, power lines, transportation & health facilities, etc.). To focus infrastructure & commercial development efforts in suitable areas, thus limiting damage to the environment to an acceptable level. To regulate and guide infrastructure and commercial development, so as to minimize environmental damage to neighboring protected areas and natural landscapes as well as to minimize negative impact on natural terrestrial and marine habitats (i.e. compulsory Environmental Impact Assessment, Coastal Zone development guidelines).

Marine Zoning Plan Map

Prepared by Rebecca Klaus on behalf of UNDP-GEF, 1999 ©

National Park Zones
Natural areas of land and sea, designated to: (a) protect the ecological integrity of the unique ecosystems of Socotra Archipelago for present and future generations; (b) exclude exploitation or occupation inimical to the objectives of conservation of biodiversity and of the preservation of natural landscapes and; (c) provide foundation for scientific, educational, recreational, and physical opportunities, all of which must be environmentally and culturally compatible.

Summary
Approximate Total Area Covered (terrestrial):	2748,3 km2
Percentage on Total Land Area:	72.6%
Approximate Total Area Covered (marine):	1514 km2

Objectives

To protect the unique natural habitats and landscapes of the Socotra Archipelago that are of high international and national significance for scientific, educational, recreational or ecotourism development purposes. To support the needs of the local community and subsistence resource users in particular, insofar as this will not adversely affect the objectives of biodiversity conservation. To perpetuate, in as natural a state as possible, representative examples of the unique biotic communities, genetic resources, and species found in the Socotra Archipelago and to provide ecological stability and maintain biodiversity. To manage visitor use for educational, cultural and recreational purposes at a level that will maintain the area in the current natural or near-natural state.

Terrestrial Zoning Plan Map

Prepared by Rebecca Klaus on behalf of UNDP-GEF, 1999 ©

Areas of Special Botanical Interest

These areas fall within the National Park and contain the highest concentration of rare and endemic plants of the archipelago. Special attention will be paid to the conservation of this unique heritage by assigning priority to the management and protection of these areas. Other areas of high conservation importance for key zoological groups fall within the boundary of the National Park, and will be mapped in detail later.

Nature Sanctuary

These are areas of unmodified or slightly modified land and sea that retain their natural character and influence without permanent or significant human habitation that will be protected and managed so as to preserve natural or near-natural natural conditions. These sites are strategically located for the recruitment of plants and animals into other areas through the dispersal of seeds, eggs, and larvae by wind and water. These areas also host important breeding areas. Nature Sanctuaries are susceptible to degradation by natural events or human activities, and the risk of irreversible environmental damage is high unless the site is strictly protected.

Next Steps

The Zoning Plan was officially endorsed by the Government of Yemen on April 18, 2000, and became law by Presidential Decree on September 28th, 2000. The Zoning Plan forms the basis of a Development Masterplan for the Socotra Archipelago, currently under development by the Yemeni Ministry of Panning, Environment Protection Council (EPC), with support from the European Union.

• Copies of the Zoning Plan are being distributed to all relevant ministries for information and support.
• An authority will be established with a clear responsibility for the implementation of the plan.
• The Socotra Conservation Fund has been created to support conservation activities proposed by the local people that also meet the objectives of the Zoning Plan. The assistance of individual and institutional donors will be sought to support the operation of the fund.
• The EPC has the mandate to process all relevant procedures for the declaration of the Archipelago as a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve. This process is at an advanced stage.