Natural treasures: Socotra Islands, Yemen

The approach to Ditwa lagoon and beach near the port of Qalensiya, the second biggest town on Yemen's Socotra island in the Arabian Sea February 1, 2008. Now that Socotra's long isolation has been eroded, Socotra faces the challenge of how to conserve its natural treasures while opening up to tourism and improving life for its 50,000 inhabitants. REUTERS/ Alistair Lyon (YEMEN)

An Egyptian Vulture flies on Socotra island March 27, 2008. The population of the Egyptian Vultures is over 1,000 in Socotra, making it the most concentrated population of the endangered bird in the world. Socotra islands are located in the Arabian Sea, 380 km (238 miles) south of mainland Yemen and 80 km west of the Horn of Africa. Socotra, which harbour many unique species of birds and plants, may gain UNESCO recognition in July as a world natural heritage site. Picture taken on March 27, 2008. To match feature YEMEN-SOCOTRA REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah/Files (YEMEN)

A local guide stands at the mouth of Di Gob cave on Socotra island February 1, 2008. Socotra is located in the Arabian Sea, 380 km (238 miles) south of mainland Yemen and 80 km west of the Horn of Africa. The Socotra islands, which harbour many unique species of birds and plants, may gain UNESCO recognition in July as a world natural heritage site. Picture taken on February 1, 2008. To match feature YEMEN-SOCOTRA REUTERS/Alistair Lyon/Files (YEMEN)

A tourist swims in a natural rock pool in a river on the island of Socotra February 1, 2008. Socotra is located in the Arabian Sea, 380 km (238 miles) south of mainland Yemen and 80 km west of the Horn of Africa. The Socotra islands, which harbour many unique species of birds and plants, may gain UNESCO recognition in July as a world natural heritage site. Picture taken on February 1, 2008. To match feature YEMEN-SOCOTRA REUTERS/Alistair Lyon/Files (YEMEN)

Fishing on the Socotra coast, 11/19/2007. ILLUSTRATION. The Socotra Island off the coast of Yemen,in Socotra, Yemen, GERAULT GREGORY/GAMMA (Credit Image: © Gamma/Eyedea/ZUMA Press)

Fishing on the Socotra coast., 11/19/2007. ILLUSTRATION. The Socotra Island off the coast of Yemen,in Socotra, Yemen, GERAULT GREGORY/GAMMA (Credit Image: © Gamma/Eyedea/ZUMA Press)

Paragliders fly over a hill near the Qalensia beach of Socotra island March 27, 2008. Socotra is located in the Arabian Sea, 380 km (238 miles) south of mainland Yemen and 80 km west of the Horn of Africa. The Socotra islands, which harbour many unique species of birds and plants, may gain UNESCO recognition in July as a world natural heritage site. Picture taken on March 27, 2008. To match feature YEMEN-SOCOTRA REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah/Files (YEMEN)

Dragon's Blood trees, known locally as Dam al-Akhawain, or blood of the two brothers, are seen on Socotra island March 27, 2008. Prized for its red medicinal sap, the Dragon's Blood is the most striking of 900 plant species on the Socotra islands in the Arabian Sea, 380 km (238 miles) south of mainland Yemen and 80 km west of the Horn of Africa. Socotra islands, which harbour many unique species of birds and plants, may gain UNESCO recognition in July as a world natural heritage site. Picture taken on March 27, 2008. To match feature YEMEN-SOCOTRA REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah/Files (YEMEN)

A Saudi businessman (L) checks the sap of a Dragon's Blood tree, known locally as Dam al-Akhawain, or blood of the two brothers, in the Socotra island March 27, 2008. Prized for its red medicinal sap, the Dragon's Blood is the most striking of 900 plant species on the Socotra islands in the Arabian Sea, 380 km (238 miles) south of mainland Yemen and 80 km west of the Horn of Africa. Socotra islands, which harbour many unique species of birds and plants, may gain UNESCO recognition in July as a world natural heritage site. To match feature YEMEN-SOCOTRA REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah (YEMEN)

A girl swings on a rope in the fishing port of Qalensiya, the second biggest town on Socotra island February 1, 2008. Socotra is located in the Arabian Sea, 380 km (238 miles) south of mainland Yemen and 80 km west of the Horn of Africa. The Socotra islands, which harbour many unique species of birds and plants, may gain UNESCO recognition in July as a world natural heritage site. Picture taken on February 1, 2008. To match feature YEMEN-SOCOTRA REUTERS/Alistair Lyon/Files (YEMEN)

Socotran \"desert roses\", whose obese trunks are adapted to store water, stand on a hillside in Wadi Diksam on Socotra island February 1, 2008. Socotra is located in the Arabian Sea, 380 km (238 miles) south of mainland Yemen and 80 km west of the Horn of Africa. The Socotra islands, which harbour many unique species of birds and plants, may gain UNESCO recognition in July as a world natural heritage site. Picture taken on February 1, 2008. To match feature YEMEN-SOCOTRA REUTERS/Alistair Lyon/Files (YEMEN)