5 days ago
Egypt's Senate to address proposed amendments to Natural Reserves Law
CAIRO – 31 May 2025: Egypt's Senate, the upper house of Parliament, is set to review proposed amendments to the law governing natural reserves during its sessions scheduled for next Monday.
The discussion will focus on a comprehensive legislative update to Law No. 102 of 1983, prompted by a legislative impact study submitted by Representative Noha Ahmed Zaki, a member of the Coordination of Youth Parties and Politicians and Deputy Chair of the Senate's Energy and Environment Committee.
According to Representative Zaki's study, the existing law—enacted over four decades ago—no longer meets the needs of the current environmental, economic, and social context. The law, she noted, primarily emphasized absolute environmental protection while failing to regulate the interaction with local communities or promote opportunities for sustainable development.
The study highlighted several critical gaps in the current legislation, including the absence of legal frameworks for the safe and sustainable use of natural resources within reserves, inadequate penalties for environmental violations, and limited powers granted to the Environmental Affairs Agency, restricting its ability to effectively plan and manage protected areas.
The report emphasized that protecting natural reserves must not come at the expense of local economic development. It recommended amending the law to allow for sustainable tourism and eco-friendly economic activities, ensure local community participation in reserve management, and introduce stricter penalties for environmental crimes. It also proposed the scientific classification of reserves, the definition of permitted uses for different species and ecosystems, and the development of flexible financing mechanisms to support long-term conservation goals.
A central critique in the study was the lack of legal provisions enabling communities living within or near reserves to participate in or benefit from reserve resources. This exclusion, the study argued, has fueled tensions, led to environmentally harmful practices, and hindered prospects for local economic development. It called for a comprehensive shift in legal philosophy, moving from a model of strict environmental protection to a more integrated framework that balances environmental conservation with social and economic needs.
On the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity, observed on May 22, Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad stated that Egypt is home to 30 natural reserves, covering approximately 15 percent of the country's land area.
Thirteen of these reserves, she noted, have been developed for ecotourism, offering a variety of nature-based activities, including diving and mountaineering.
In comments to Extra News, Minister Fouad highlighted Egypt's efforts to preserve biodiversity and maintain the delicate balance between land, sea, flora, and fauna. She also noted that several Egyptian reserves, including Wadi El-Hitan and Ras Mohammed, have been recognized on the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas—an international benchmark for effective, equitable, and enduring conservation.
