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Saudi Arabia Establishes Association to Preserve Industrial Heritage

Ministers Majid Al-Qasabi, Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Khaled Al-Falih during the ceremony to announce the establishment of the Association for the Preservation of the Industrial Heritage. (SPA)
Ministers Majid Al-Qasabi, Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Khaled Al-Falih during the ceremony to announce the establishment of the Association for the Preservation of the Industrial Heritage. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Establishes Association to Preserve Industrial Heritage

Ministers Majid Al-Qasabi, Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Khaled Al-Falih during the ceremony to announce the establishment of the Association for the Preservation of the Industrial Heritage. (SPA)
Ministers Majid Al-Qasabi, Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Khaled Al-Falih during the ceremony to announce the establishment of the Association for the Preservation of the Industrial Heritage. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia announced the establishment of the Saudi Society for the Preservation of Industrial Heritage, chaired by Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the Minister of Culture.

The association aims to raise awareness on the value of cultural landmarks, including old desalination plants, oil refining, mining and cement mines and the remnants of the Tapline pipeline.

Prince Badr bin Farhan underlined his ministry’s keenness to support the Saudi cultural sector, highlighting the importance of industrial heritage in expressing the level of industrial and civil development of countries.

In this regard, he noted that Saudi Arabia has a rich history in the field of industry that should be preserved and maintained.

The minister also announced the launch of a program on industrial heritage under the umbrella of the Ministry of Culture.

The new program will feature workshops and awareness campaigns, in cooperation with industrial bodies, in addition to projects aimed at maintaining and documenting industrial landmarks and the rehabilitation of national cadres interested in industrial cultural heritage in cooperation with international universities.

Industrial heritage is one of the patterns associated with industrial development in the world. It refers to the social and engineering achievements made by man after the Industrial Revolution. This includes the remnants of ancient industrial culture, whether technological, social, architectural or scientific, and consists of buildings, machinery, factories, mines, refining sites and warehouses.

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'Amphibious Mouse' among 27 New Species Discovered in Peru's Amazon

A clearwing butterfly (Oleria sp.) specimen, from one of the 218 species of butterflies observed during an expedition to the Peruvian region of Alto Mayo, is pictured, June 8, 2022. Conservation International/photo by Marlon Dag/Handout via REUTERS
A clearwing butterfly (Oleria sp.) specimen, from one of the 218 species of butterflies observed during an expedition to the Peruvian region of Alto Mayo, is pictured, June 8, 2022. Conservation International/photo by Marlon Dag/Handout via REUTERS
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'Amphibious Mouse' among 27 New Species Discovered in Peru's Amazon

A clearwing butterfly (Oleria sp.) specimen, from one of the 218 species of butterflies observed during an expedition to the Peruvian region of Alto Mayo, is pictured, June 8, 2022. Conservation International/photo by Marlon Dag/Handout via REUTERS
A clearwing butterfly (Oleria sp.) specimen, from one of the 218 species of butterflies observed during an expedition to the Peruvian region of Alto Mayo, is pictured, June 8, 2022. Conservation International/photo by Marlon Dag/Handout via REUTERS

An "amphibious mouse" with partially webbed feet that eats aquatic insects was among 27 new species discovered during a 2022 expedition to Peru's Amazon, according to Conservation International.

Scientists also discovered a spiny mouse, a squirrel, eight types of fish, three amphibians and 10 types of butterflies, Trond Larsen, head of Conservation International's Rapid Assessment Program, told Reuters this week.

He added that another 48 species found by investigators were potentially new, but needed further study.

The new species were found in Alto Mayo, a protected area with several ecosystems, Indigenous territories and villages.

"Discovering so many new species of mammals and vertebrates is really incredible, especially in such a human-influenced landscape as Alto Mayo," Larsen said.

The expedition between June and July 2022 was made up of 13 scientists plus local technicians and members of Indigenous groups.

"It was really fantastic to work so closely with the Awajun people. They have extensive traditional knowledge about the forests, animals and plants they live side-by-side with," Larsen said.

Among the new species, Larsen highlighted the spiny mouse that has stiff fur, the amphibious mouse, and a dwarf squirrel that measures 14 cm (5.5 in).

"(The squirrel) fits so easily in the palm of your hand. Adorable and beautiful chestnut-brown color, very fast," Larsen said. "It jumps quickly and hides in the trees."

Another favorite discovery was the blob-headed fish, a type of armored catfish, he said.

A total of 2,046 species were recorded during the 38-day expedition using camera traps, bioacoustic sensors and DNA sampling. Among them, 49 were classified as threatened, including the yellow-tailed woolly monkey and the tree monkey.

Larsen said the discoveries reinforced the need to protect the area.

"Unless steps are taken now to safeguard these sites and help restore parts of the landscape ... there's a strong chance they won't persist in the long term," Larsen said.