PROTECTED AREAS National Parks With a view to preserving its ecological heritage, Tunisia has embarked on a voluntarist policy for the protection of its ecosystems and its biodiversity. Eight natural areas identified as priority zones have been established as national parks. Ichkeul (12,000 hectares): 600 plant species, 200,000 to 300,000 wintering water birds of 180 different species. Situated in the plain of Mateur, one-hour journey from Tunis, Lake Ichkeul is the only natural site in the world to be mentioned in the three international conventions on the protection of nature: • the Ramsar Convention on Humid Areas of International Importance; • the UNESCO Convention on "World Heritage"; and • the UNESCO Convention on "Man and the Biosphere". Chaambi (6,723 hectares): Aleppo pine forests, 100 species of plants; 24 species of mammals; 16 species of reptiles and batracians. Boukornine: a vegetation forest with rich and varied fauna; a great number of Persian cyclamens. Feija: a cork oak forest and a rich and varied vegetation; 500 species of orchids and ferns; 25 species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Bou-Hedma: 300 species of plants including relics of the savanna of acacia radina (the gumtree) and a fauna with various species such as the mouflon, the ostrich, the antelope, and the gazelle. Sidi Toui: situated on the edge of the Sahara, (Medenine), this park shelters a flora and fauna typical of arid regions. The Zembra island (389 ha) and 1.5 nautical miles around the island. Situated off the Gulf of Hammamet, on the edge of the Sicilian-Tunisian straits, the Zembra Park constitutes a unique island natural environment in the Mediterranean regions. The creation of protected area has enabled, among other things, the reintroduction of certain extinct species: addax, onyx, gazelle, ostrich, and mouflon, particularly in the national parks of the Center and South of Tunisia. Natural reserves There are 16 natural reserves in Tunisia, of which we may cite the following: the Mhibes reserve for the protection of the Berberian stag; the Kchem El Kelb reserve for gazelles; the integral reserve of Galiton for the protection of the monk seal. There are plans for the promotion of this natural area through creation of a land and sea natural park as part of the sustainable development of this Tunisian island area; the Chikly reserve for the protection of nesting sites for the Garzette egret; the Majen Chitan reserve and the reserve of the Bats Cave in El Haouaria. The above reserves have been established for the protection of unique natural sites (Majen Chitan) or as habitat of specific species (gazelle, monk seal, or garzette egret). Sensitive natural sites and areas The sensitive natural sites and areas have been determined by the Ministry of Environment and Land Use Planning with the aim of preserving them as habitat for specific species with ecological and economic value, and as vulnerable ecosystems. 14 areas have been identified as priority sites. They are : the Atatfas Valley (maquis of cork oak); the Djebel Abderrahmane Anticline (maquis of kermes oak); the Kesra Forest (Aleppo pine); • the Bouabdella Site (Maktar cypress); the Djebel Serj Site (Montpellier maple-tree); the Bouzaïène Area, El Gallel ; Maknassy (Atlas pistachio tree); the Jebel Sidi Aïch Area (upper steppes esparto grass) the Jebel El Talh, El Guettar (gumtree : acacia radiana); the Rejim Maatoug Area and the Ghouiba Essouda Site); the Toujane Site (red juniper of the Matmatas); the Eastern Erg Area, Jbil region; the Sebkha of Sidi Ali Mekki, and El Ouafi, Northern Sebkha; the Ghar El Melh Lagoon; and the Zirats, natural springs and micro oasis of the Nafzaoua.