Development of nature reserves in the governorates of South Sinai, Red Sea, and Aswan and waste management were the main topics of a report submitted to the prime minister Tuesday.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli met with Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad to review a report on the work of the ministry over recent months.
Fouad highlighted infrastructure upgrade of nature reserves, which entails setting up visitor centres, museum management, as in the case of Wadi el-Wattan Geological Museum, catering and recreational activities.
Development has also covered a environmental hotel at Taba Reserve, the open wildlife park and the marine life underwater viewing centre.
Regarding waste management, Fouad said a cooperation protocol is to be signed between her ministry, the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation, and New Valley Governorate for date-palm medium density fibreboard (MDF), using German technology.
As for construction and demolition waste, Fouad said the Waste Management Regulatory Authority is currently drawing up plans for short- and long-term projects and selecting sites to collect waste from building work in Greater Cairo.
A construction waste recycling complex will be built, offering the private sector investment opportunities in recycling of these categories of waste, the minister said.
Solid waste management in the New Administrative Capital is to be undertaken in coordination the Administrative Capital Company, the minister added.
Fouad also reviewed ministry efforts to stage public awareness campaigns to discourage single-use plastic bags, pointing out that the ministry has issued rules for tour operators prohibiting the use of plastic utensils, especially on cruises.
