Qeshm Free Zone Organization and Hengam Special Economic Zone Organization have joined forces to assess the environmental impacts of development projects on Hengam Island.
"The program is aimed at promoting balanced and sustainable development in the area," Farzin Haqdel, QFZO's deputy for cultural, social and tourism affairs, was quoted as saying in an article on the organization's website. He said his office is cooperating with the QFZO's Environment Department and HSEZO to minimize the impact of projects on the island's fragile ecosystem.
Haqdel said assessments began in February and will be completed in July.
"Our studies aim to outline the consequences of development schemes on terrestrial and marine environments," he said. The conclusions will be sent to project managers to make arrangements.
Hengam Island is spread over 33.6 square kilometers and looks like an incomplete cone facing the southern coasts of Qeshm Island, a popular holiday 2 km from Hengam. Administratively, it is among the rural districts of Qeshm County in Hormozgan Province.
The primary economic activity is fishing, tourism and sightseeing. The main sights of Hengam are the English harbor buildings, coal warehouse, Portuguese shipwrecks, Noopak Crocodile Park and aquatic animals such as turtles, dolphins, corals and sharks.
The island is home to three endemic species of coral: silver, staghorn and boulder star, all of which are threatened by the Persian Gulf's rising temperature and salinity.
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