Egypt has removed over 4,000 'encroachments' from Nile

Egypt’s irrigation ministry has “removed 4,727 encroachments” from Nile waters in Cairo and Upper Egypt’s Aswan and Assiut, as part of its campaign to protect the river, it said in a statement on Tuesday.

The campaign, launched in January, aims to protect the ancient river from pollution and “other illegal practices”, including “encroachments” on its waters.

Many social clubs, hotels, private houseboats and fish farms are located on the banks of the Nile, with property extending along its waters.

In its statement, the ministry said the campaign targets a total of 50,399 instances of such "encroachments" on Nile waters, as well as related canals and drainage ditches.

The ministry asserted in its statement that its inspection teams continues to record violations on the Nile.

It has also launched the hotline number 15116 to receive related complaints, it said.

President Abd El-Fattah El-Sisi, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab and several other ministers and public figures have signed a pledge to protect the river Nile, as part of the ongoing campaign.
[ahram.org.eg]
23/6/15
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