The Ministry of Environment Launches an Initiative to Clean up National Protectorates of South Sinai

By Muhammed Aladdin

South Sinai is home to five National Protectorates; Ras Muhammed, Saint Katherine, Nabq, Abu Galum, and Taba. Recently, these Egyptian treasures were put under the threat of man-made pollution as a result of the growing number of tourists.

Various initiatives have taken responsibility to change the ongoing environmental deterioration; these include Dahab Defenders, Bedouin Clean-Up, and many more. However, the silence of officials sparked debate and criticism; people wanted the Ministry of Environment to take action.

Fortunately, officials in the ministry have been listening and change was on the way. The Ministry of Environment released a statement detailing the cleaning campaign which targeted the protectorate of Abu Galum Reservoir in South Sinai. The initiative is a continuation of the government’s community service program.

The statement explained that the cleaning up aimed to raise awareness of the significance of the natural protectorates and what they represent for future generations. The event was attended by a number of Egyptians, foreign volunteers, dive centers, and residents of the Dahabian community.

According to the director of the Abu Galum Protectorate, the campaigners removed waste from parts of the Sahel area in the protected area, in addition to the beach that connects Balohul to Dahila.

The Ministry of Environment has added that more clean-up initiatives are set to take place all over South Sinai to ensure that our protected areas will remain beautiful, sustainable, and awe-inspiring.

There are about 30 National Protectorates in Egypt, covering more than 15% of its geographical area, and if responsible individuals do not act up, we might end up losing them. Hopefully, with the Ministry of Environment’s initiative, more people would follow suit, sustaining Egypt’s national treasures.

WE SAID THIS: Hopefully, this is the start of a cleaner Egypt.