The Yemeni Cabinet has approved a resolution to establish and manage the "Khor Ambikha" wetland in the Mukalla district of Hadhramaut governorate (southeastern Yemen) as a natural reserve.

The decision was made during a cabinet meeting held today in Aden, the temporary capital of Yemen, chaired by Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, according to the official Yemeni News Agency (Saba).

The agency reported that the cabinet tasked the Ministers of Legal Affairs and Water and Environment with completing the necessary legal procedures and submitting them to the Prime Minister for signature.

The cabinet's decision aims to protect the biodiversity of the Khor Ambikha area, ensure sustainable management of natural resources, safeguard endangered and rare species, and fulfill international obligations under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

Khor Ambikha in Mukalla is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, making it a prime candidate for eco-tourism and educational purposes. It is considered a living museum of ecosystems, particularly wetland ecosystems.

In April 2024, during a visit to Khor Ambikha in Mukalla, Prime Minister bin Mubarak instructed the completion of necessary procedures to declare the area a natural reserve.

During the visit, bin Mubarak tasked the Ministry of Water and Environment with coordinating with local authorities to finalize the declaration. He also directed the provision of protection and necessary attention to the area, its utilization for tourism purposes, and the safeguarding of surrounding lands from encroachment.