more than 10% of A UNESCO biosphere reserve destroyed With the fires that swept northeastern Algeria, killing At least 38 people, an expert told AFP. on Saturday.
The figure cited by Rafiq Baba Ahmed. former director of Alcala Biosphere Reserve, means that the burning area of The garden is almost alone double What the Civil Defense said destroyed across Africa’s largest country since June.
It was in northeastern Algeria in particular hard-hit Since Wednesday due to fires exacerbated by climate change, but fire Services on Saturday said most of The fires were extinguished there out.
“Wednesday’s fires destroyed about 10,000 hectares (24,700 acres)”. of Baba Ahmed said.
According to the United Nations UNESCO Cultural Agency, the Al Kala Biosphere Reserve more of 76000 hectares.
that it last Refuge of red barbary deer and”home For the wonderful life of birds, more More than 60,000 migratory birds every winter”, UNESCO website says.
“It’s a mosaic of marine ecosystems, dunes, lakes and forests, with Its rich maritime sector in Corals, Posidonia meadows and fish “UNESCO says.
According to Baba Ahmed, the forest covers 54,000 hectares of garden and more of Cork oak trees.
“It’s valid one of The main Biodiversity reserves in He said the Mediterranean basin is “praised for its “exceptional biological richness”.
But Baba Ahmed said he was “very pessimistic” about future of The area It is regularly damaged by forest fires.
“Over time, fires weaken the forest, making it vulnerable to other attacks: harmful insects but especially to human activities.”
As a result, the area He loses his plants and animals, forest expert added.
Civil Defense Colonel Boualem Boglev said: on Friday night TV that since June 1, 1242 fires destroyed 5345 hectares of Forests in Algeria.
Baba Ahmed said that number is unrealistic.
While the fires in northeastern Algeria have been largely extinguished, firefighters have fought two fires on other side of Country in Tlemcen in The Civil Defense announced Saturday on Her Facebook page.
The Algerian fires led both in home And the in Diaspora to collect clothes, medicine and food help affected.
EU foreign policy President Josep Borrell also Support provided, and French President Emmanuel Macron called his Algerian counterpart, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to express his condolences.for Victims of fires”, the state news According to the Algerian News Agency, on Saturday.
Spain and Portugal also fought massive forest fires over The past week, including in Another UNESCO listed park where more More than 25,000 hectares have been burned.
