Containing pollution
Mahmoud Bakr talks with Minister of Environmental Affairs Mamdouh Riyad about the government's plans to protect the environment
Mamdouh Riyad
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This year's theme of World Environment Day is water. What are the measures being taken by the ministry to prevent the pollution of water resources in Egypt?
An over-all strategy has been drafted in conjunction with the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources to protect the Nile River. All sources of industrial pollution have been contained; none are currently being discharged into the river. We have started implementing the second phase of the monitoring process -- which basically comprises the establishment of over 200 monitoring stations between Aswan and Alexandria to prevent illegal industrial waste disposal. This phase will also focus on cleaning drainage canals.
Our aim is to provide the public with clean and unpolluted water and to preserve the health of our citizens.
There is also an Egyptian-Italian environmental conservation project underway at the moment, which involves the analysis of ground water in the Western Desert. This project will help us to fully utilise of alternative water resources.
You seem very keen on implementing the latest car exhaust monitoring regulations issued by the Ministry of the Interior. What are the ministry's plans to limit the emission of air pollutants, particularly in the nation's capital?
We have a huge air pollution problem, which is why the State Ministry for Environmental Affairs has implemented a number of short and long-term plans -- in conjunction with donor agencies -- to limit air pollutants.
Part of this includes encouraging medium and large industries to comply with environmental regulations and reduce the emission of pollutants. We have also set up 48 air pollution monitoring stations, as well as an early warning alarm network to detect any acute increase of air pollutants. Another network has been established to monitor cement pollutants, and both networks are linked directly to the central operations room and my office.
There are also incentives for vehicles and factories to switch to natural gas fuel.
In addition, we have also completed a study on the feasibility of relocating heavy industries beyond the boundaries of Greater Cairo. The relocation will be funded by the government, international donor agencies and the private sector. The government's share will be LE200 million, and implementation is expected to begin within the current five-year plan (2002-2007).
Article 37 of the regulations made under environment law No 4 of 1994 stipulates the level of pollutants permissible in car exhaust. Order 22526 was issued by the interior minister in 2002, which brought Article 37 into effect in the governorates of Cairo and Al-Qalyubiya, on the understanding that the rest of the governorates should follow suit. This order requires mandatory testing of exhaust pollutants during the annual vehicle inspection. No road worthiness certificates will be issued for vehicles exceeding the stipulated pollutant limits. We have imported equipment for conducting these tests at a cost of LE5 million. The exhaust test will not cost the vehicle owners more than LE3.
It will take a while before there is a tangible effect on air quality. In the meantime, how can we prevent foodstuffs from becoming contaminated with pollutants?
Serious programmes have been implemented to protect our food from contamination. We have started organic farming programmes with the intention of moving away from the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. This will also help us increase our exports of agricultural products.
We are also involved in recycling agricultural refuse. We hope to soon inaugurate the first factory to manufacture bricks from rice straw, as well as the first unit to generate gas fuel from this straw. This programme is being organised in conjunction with the Chinese government and the first stage will begin later this year.
You said that 2003 would be the year of women and the environment. Can you expand on this?
We must coordinate efforts, utilise all forms of voluntary work and develop special means of cooperation. We believe in the vital role of civic organisations, which is why we declared 2002 the year of non-governmental organisation (NGO) activity in environmental affairs. We provided moral and material backing to various NGOs working in this field. Now, we have lines of communication in over 20 governorates, and in each governorate we have contacts with about 10 NGOs ... and there are openings for even more NGOs.
This year has been declared the year of women and the environment, which means that we will rely to a great extent on women -- housewives as well as professionals -- to consolidate society's commitment to environmental issues. We have put together 14 programmes for the preservation of air, water, and soil. Environmental issues are no longer a luxury.
October, and the threat of the annual "black cloud", will be upon us before we know it. What is being done this year to combat this notorious problem?
The black cloud, which has been appearing since 1999 during the months of October and November, is a result of high pressure. This is an atmospheric phenomenon which is a combination of air stagnation and the green-house effect. Hot air rises and traps colder air below it, which in turn increases humidity; pollutants and fog remain trapped underneath the cold layer. This smog has a suffocating effect since it is made up of oxides of phosphorus and sulphur, which are byproducts of garbage and agricultural refuse combustion. These oxides are also present in vehicle exhaust.
We are trying to reduce the causes of this problem. In a few days we will be holding a seminar in conjunction with the Al-Ahram Regional Institute for Journalism, experts from the Weather Monitoring Agency, research centres, and universities to discuss ways of dealing with this problem.
But we also have to keep in mind that this is an atmospheric phenomenon, as are the Khamaseen storms or the gales that hit our northern shores.
How would you assess the level of cooperation between the Ministry of Environmental Affairs and local and international bodies to boost environmental projects and ensure their continuation?
We are eager to maintain cooperation with various ministries -- particularly the Ministries of Agriculture, Housing, Irrigation, and Local Development -- to achieve an adequate level of environmental protection.
We are also cooperating with international agencies; we have signed an agreement promoting environmental protection with Romania. The agreement, signed by Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Ebeid, promotes cooperation by supporting environmentally friendly technology. It calls for monitoring and reducing air pollutants, preserving biological diversity, developing natural protectorates, improving the management of solid refuse, enhancing the quality of water, protecting rivers and sea life, exchanging expertise with the aim of reducing waste of fresh water, treating sewage and using it for agricultural use, and improving the educational system to promote environmental protection.
At the beginning of this year we also signed a cooperation agreement with the Italian government regarding environmental protection. Under this agreement we will be allocated 4.1 million euros to be used for the implementation of a number of joint ventures. These will involve the exchange of expertise and the transfer of environmentally friendly technology, the enhancement of skills and the exchange of information, particularly in relation to sustainable development and the development of environmental resources. The agreement also aims to boost renewable energy sources and coastal development management.
The Italians promised to help Egypt secure 21 million euros from various donors to promote sustainable development and comprehensive environmental management of the Red Sea. The agreement is one of the results of the International Conference on Natural Protectorates, which was held in Sharm El-Sheikh last October.
What is the situation with the natural protectorates in Egypt?
At the end of this year the Wadi Al-Gemal area on the Red Sea will be declared a natural protectorate. This will increase to 24 the number of protected zones in the country, which now cover almost eight per cent of the country's total area.
What environmental conditions are required to set up new industrial towns and zones, and how will existing facilities be dealt with?
The Ministry of Environmental Affairs has formulated conditions and standards which must be observed when creating new industrial areas. These conditions are very detailed, and start with the site selection.
The regulations require investors to secure the approval of the Environment Affairs Agency with regard to the environmental impact of the project. This is undertaken before land is allocated or any infrastructure is extended by the governorate in question. Proposed projects should also be in line with the Ministry of Housing's land use plan for the area. Industrial facilities should be built at least five kilometres downwind from residential areas. The structure should not be located on or near agricultural land, or on archaeological or historically significant sites. The site should also meet the conditions stipulated in the prime minister's decree with regard to the ban on establishing heavy or polluting industry on certain sites.
And with regard to existing facilities, the ministry is planning to relocate all polluting industries from the Greater Cairo area to sites far removed from residential zones. This project will cost LE1.28 billion and will be subsidised by the government to the tune of LE146 million. The proposed areas for relocation include 10,000 feddans (10,000 acres) close to Madinet Al-Amal on the Ain Sokhna road, a site near the Al- Qattamiya cement factory and an area near Tahma Al-Ayyat.
