White Desert Cleanup: Protecting Egypt’s Natural Wonders

CONSERVING EGYPT’S ECOSYSTEMS – TOGETHER!

In early September 2024, GEBAL, in partnership with the White Desert National Park, the Desert Lovers NGO of Bahariya, and the El Heiz Water Education Center, organized a major training and cleanup event of the White Desert National Park. This impactful initiative was funded by the US Forest Service International Programs.

TRAINING TOURISM OPERATORS ON GREEN TOURISM

A total of 130 tourism operators and safari tour drivers participated in the program. The event featured several days of training covering vital topics like:

• Environmental and ecosystem conservation
• First aid certification
• GPS navigation skills
• The natural and cultural history of the Western Desert

This comprehensive training aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to protect the fragile desert ecosystem while enhancing the safety and experience of desert tourism.

3-DAY CLEAN-UP SAFARI

Nearly 100 participants embarked on a 3-day desert safari to the White Desert National Park, resulting in the collection and removal of significant amounts of trash. This hands-on effort showcased the power of community-led conservation and eco-conscious tourism.

SPREADING AWARENESS THROUGH COMIC GUIDES

Each program participant received a GEBAL-developed manual on green practices in the White Desert National Park. Designed as a comic-style guide to “do’s and don’ts in the park,” these manuals were placed in safari vehicles, ensuring tourists can read them during their journey to the park. GEBAL also distributed the manuals to hotels and camps in Farafra and Bahariya oases and made them available at the El Heiz Cafeteria and the El Heiz Water Education Center.

INTERNATIONAL FIRST AID CERTIFICATES FOR SAFE TRAVEL

Following the program’s success, each participant was awarded an internationally recognized First Aid Certificate from the Mayor of Bahariya Oasis. The mayor, a strong supporter of the initiative, personally visited the volunteers in the desert to commend their dedication to the White Desert’s preservation.