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             Member of                

                  THE LOCATION

    .SINAI-EGYPT              .RAS MATARMA  

    It is a desert development project that aims to sustain the desert biodiversity, by enhancing the growth of desert trees like palm and olive trees that have a high economic value with the establishment of a sustainable eco-village development thus encouraging eco-tourism .Thus adding both industrial and eco-tourism job possibilities to combat poverty.

PURPOSES OF TAMR HENNA

Tamr Henna faces the problem of desertification and its impact on land ,animal and human. Desertification leads to drought of land which is the main source of food for both animal and human thus extinguishing life in an area . 

Tamr Henna research group has been able to plant olive and palm trees by special techniques that sustain the desert biodiversity over an area of 300 acres to be increased to 1000 acres .

Also with eco village development we are developing better ways of sustainable living thus encouraging eco-tourism  Tamr Henna project is considered one of the pioneer desert plantation projects in Sinai desert in Egypt. The main goals are:

1. Sustainable Use Of Biodiversity

Biological diversity of dry land is of particular significance because it includes many unique biomes .Wet land areas in dry land are of crucial importance in supporting migrating birds as well as local species.

The world most important food crops and live stocks originated in dry land ,so its conservation and sustainable use is central to livelihood development and poverty alleviation.

Tamr Henna encourages the growth of palm and olive trees thus providing food and shelter to humans ,birds and animals .

The ecosystem approach is a strategy for management of land ,water, and living resources that promote conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way .

It recognizes that humans with their cultural diversity are an integral component of the ecosystem .

Particular significant methods of conservation of nature are used to conserve the biodiversity .

Our research group study the best ways of management of soil and water salinity.

Sustainable agriculture is encouraged by planting olive and palm trees. A palm tree  incubatory is started to grow the best adapted types .

Immigrating birds started building there nests in some trees this encourages bird watchers and nature lovers to visit our eco-village  establishment.

Thus building new communities   , creating more jobs to combat poverty .

2. Conservation

Tamr Henna chooses to ground its scientific expertise theological principle in sites. For each site a study from our research and conservation team to reverse habitat decline and biodiversity loss .

Protection and restoration of habitats and species are of wider relevance .

A biological study is done for both soil and water quality .Special effects and progress of conservation are being assessed .

3. Research

Tamr Henna research group encourages team members, students, volunteers in our study area.

Through research projects more detailed information on land and water are assessed, better agricultural procedures are studied .

More detailed ecological understanding of migrating birds .

Our solar research group provides   Excellency in the field of renewable energy including solar and wind energy.

4. Maintaining The Environment And Ecosystem

Maintaining the ecosystem and environment is always the main goal of Tamr Henna.

5. Environmental Education

It is the key aspect  of conservation .Our visitors are a high priority   on the following points: 

A. Ecological building always encouraged to have more environmental education.

B. Children are encouraged to attend our camps this provides a change in attitudes towards environment.

 The next generation can be encouraged to value nature.

6. Ecovillage Establishment

It is a response to complex problem of how to transform our human settlement into sustainable community integrated into the natural environment.

A. Ecological Building 

It is a unique environmentally sound , energy efficient construction system using all natural material, we are still experimenting the different types of straw housing…..etc

B. Renewable Energy

It is encouraged to use sustainable energy , solar and wind energy are used in the site as the sun is always shining we use solar heating systems .

Our workshop trains locals to manufacture solar water heaters.

C. Local Organic Food Production

As we plant olive and palm trees soon we are getting more crops of olives and dates. We have started a pickling project for the olives .

An olive refinery is under establishment to produce olive oil Also packing of palms is considered future plans.

All products are bio dynamically planted so more  healthy.

Thus it is providing plenty of jobs to the locals with poverty reduction.

Also new communities are encouraged to settle in the desert   adding more life.

D.Sustainable Economics

Sustainable development by planting palm and olive trees provide trees that live for hundreds of years thus growing flourishing each year more crops are  available   with an added value. A second added value is added when crops are manufactured ex : pickled, packed ,exported.

The more the manufacture the more workers are involved so it’s a   progressing sustainable economic and poverty elimination .

  The Role Of Tamr Henna In Poverty Reduction

 * It has provided a lot of jobs to the natives primarily in the planting of 300 acres of the desert. 

 * Also our research group has provided jobs .

 * Building of the ecological buildings needed builders  .

 * The pickling project started a new female job .

 * The refinery   and   industry development needs a lot of working power that will be needed as the crops increase .

 * Eco village establishment provides a great place for eco tourism that would encourage tourists enjoy the serenity of the desert ,  thus more jobs provided.

 * This improves the socioeconomic state of habitants of the desert.
 * It has provided jobs to over 100 people.

 * Training courses to provide better skills at jobs.

    Tamr Henna Partnership

Tammr Henna appreciates the great value of partnership as in unity there is always strength. we receive consultancy in the field of eco tourism from ECO GROUP FOR TOURISTIC PROJECTS .
Also in the field of solar energy we receive consultancy by MISR AMERICA GROUP. They have both contributed to our success in training and advice.

  Sustainability Of TAMR HENNA Project

   It has started 6 years ago.
Now we are receiving olive crops ,the pickling manufacture has started ,the project is self sustainable as the life expectancy of the trees is over 1000 years ,There is a yearly multiplication in the crop quantity ,there is a yearly need of extra workers, thus more solution to unemployment.
Eco-village development moves towards sustainability by the use of renewable energy ,local organic food production and sustainable economics Eco tourism also enhances more sustainability by bringing new experiences and different cultures to the place.

  Tamr Henna And Gender Equity

 It encourages female empowerment through training ,education ,and jobs,as we trust the role of women in the development of societies and community building.

    THE GOALS OF TAMR HENNA  PROJECT
    National And Economic Goals

• The production of high quality olives together with its various manufactured products as olive oil and pickles, etc. These products would compete for export to various places around the world. 

• The proper use of Sinai desert by planting it with long lasting trees and enhancing the development of new communities in it.

• Encouraging various people who are nature lovers to co-operate together in national agricultural project.

  Cultural And Strategic Goals

• Encourage people to emigrate from the narrow Nile valley to the land of Sinai, thus solving part of the overpopulation problem.

• Providing jobs to the native Bedouins of Sinai.

• Providing jobs to the rural women by helping in the various steps of manufacture.

• The enhancement of the use of renewable energy (solar power, wind power and biogas) to keep the environment free from pollution. 

    PHASES OF TAMR HENNA PROJECT
    Phase 1

• Includes re-informing and planting 250 acres of olive and palm trees by biological ways.
• It also includes the digging of nine wells to irrigate the project , four of them are superficial while five are deep.
• All the wells are connected by piping systems to give better irrigation stability.
NOTE : This phase is already  completed .

    Phase 2

Includes re-informing and planting another 250 acres of olive and palm trees and digging another four wells.

 It also includes the following:

• Olive refinery for olive oil production.
• Olive pickling lab.
• Start of animal rearing.
• Start the formation of a desert park for desert     plants and animals.
• Development of cultural product school for rural women and children.
• Applying permaculture techniques using EM and compost . 
• Compost  and EM factories .

    Phase 3

• Planting another 250 acres of olive trees thus reaching 750 acres planted.
• Enlarging the pickling project.
• Enlarging the refinery scale.
• Making a factory for soap and cosmetic products of olive oil.

• Developing a fish incubatory pond.                  

    Phase 4

• Includes planting the rest of the land, thus reaching 1000 Acres.
• Market for the different products.
• Zoo formation.
• Development of a theater for folkloric dances.

• Making a desert plant incubatory and research center.

                  
                   ecomag@menanet.net