SDG 14 in Lebanon: Life Below Water

Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) focuses on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources. Lebanon’s coastal and marine ecosystems are vital to its biodiversity, economy, and livelihoods, with much of the population residing along the Mediterranean coastline. However, Lebanon faces numerous environmental challenges, including marine pollution, overfishing, habitat destruction, and the impact of climate change on marine life.

The Lebanese government, through the Ministry of Environment and in collaboration with international organizations, has been making efforts to address the issues related to marine ecosystems and protect the country’s coastal and marine resources.

Lebanon’s Approach to SDG 14: Protecting Marine Ecosystems and Coastal Resources

Marine Pollution Control:

One of the major threats to Lebanon’s marine environment is pollution, especially from untreated wastewater, industrial discharge, and plastic waste. The Ministry of Environment has been working on improving wastewater treatment facilities along the coast to reduce the direct discharge of untreated sewage into the Mediterranean Sea. Programs have been introduced to raise public awareness of the importance of waste reduction and proper waste disposal, particularly regarding plastic pollution, which has a severe impact on marine life.

Several projects, supported by international bodies such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), focus on reducing pollution and rehabilitating damaged coastal ecosystems. Marine litter management and beach cleanup campaigns have been launched in partnership with local communities, NGOs, and private companies to mitigate the effects of pollution on Lebanon’s coastal waters.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs):

Lebanon has established Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to safeguard marine biodiversity and promote the sustainable use of marine resources. The Palm Islands Nature Reserve and the Tyre Coast Nature Reserve are among the key MPAs that help conserve marine species, including endangered sea turtles, birds, and marine flora.

The government has been working to expand the coverage of MPAs along the Lebanese coastline, with support from international partners. The creation and management of MPAs contribute to biodiversity conservation, sustainable tourism, and scientific research on marine ecosystems. The MPAs also play a vital role in helping ecosystems recover from pollution, overfishing, and habitat degradation.

Sustainable Fisheries:

Overfishing and unsustainable fishing practices have depleted marine resources in Lebanese waters. To address this, the Ministry of Agriculture has introduced regulations aimed at promoting sustainable fishing practices. These regulations include restrictions on fishing seasons, gear types, and the protection of specific marine species.

Efforts have been made to support local fishing communities by providing training on sustainable fishing techniques and improving the monitoring and enforcement of fishing laws. By ensuring that marine resources are used sustainably, the government aims to preserve fish stocks and protect the livelihoods of coastal communities dependent on fishing.

Climate Change and Coastal Erosion:

Rising sea levels and increasing temperatures due to climate change pose a threat to Lebanon’s coastal zones. Coastal erosion is a growing concern, as it impacts infrastructure, ecosystems, and local communities. The Ministry of Environment has been working on coastal management plans to mitigate the effects of climate change on Lebanon’s shores.

These efforts include the restoration of degraded coastal habitats, such as sand dunes and wetlands, which act as natural buffers against erosion and storm surges. Additionally, the government is working to enhance climate resilience by protecting vulnerable coastal areas and adopting sustainable coastal development practices.

Public Awareness and Education:

Raising public awareness about the importance of marine conservation is a crucial part of Lebanon’s strategy to achieve SDG 14. The Ministry of Environment, along with NGOs, universities, and international partners, organizes public awareness campaigns, workshops, and school programs to educate the public about marine pollution, overfishing, and the need to protect marine ecosystems.

Through these efforts, the government aims to foster a culture of environmental responsibility and encourage citizens to take an active role in conserving Lebanon’s coastal and marine resources.

Beirut Arab University and SDG 14: Promoting Marine Conservation and Sustainability

Beirut Arab University (BAU) is committed to advancing SDG 14 through education, research, and community engagement. The university recognizes the importance of conserving marine life and protecting coastal ecosystems, especially given Lebanon’s rich marine biodiversity and dependence on the Mediterranean Sea.

Marine Research and Innovation:

BAU actively conducts research on marine ecosystems and the challenges facing Lebanon’s coastal and marine environments. The university’s Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering are involved in studies on marine biodiversity, pollution, and sustainable coastal management.

Research at BAU focuses on understanding the effects of pollution, particularly plastic and chemical waste, on marine life. It also explores the impacts of climate change on Lebanon’s coastal ecosystems, providing data and recommendations to support the government’s marine conservation efforts. Through partnerships with local and international organizations, BAU contributes to national and global knowledge on marine conservation and climate adaptation.

The university is also involved in research related to sustainable fisheries and the promotion of sustainable aquaculture practices, which help preserve fish stocks while supporting food security and economic development.

Sustainable Campus Initiatives:

BAU promotes environmental sustainability within its campus, aligning with the goals of SDG 14. The university has implemented waste reduction programs, including initiatives aimed at reducing single-use plastics and encouraging recycling. These efforts help minimize the university’s contribution to marine pollution, particularly in the form of plastic waste.

Additionally, BAU’s green campus initiatives promote energy efficiency, water conservation, and the use of sustainable materials, contributing to a more environmentally responsible campus community.

Education and Student Engagement:

BAU integrates marine conservation and environmental sustainability into its academic programs. Students in the Environmental Science, Marine Biology, and Civil Engineering programs engage with topics related to marine ecosystems, coastal management, and sustainable resource use.

The university encourages student-led projects and initiatives focused on marine conservation. Environmental clubs and student organizations at BAU often participate in beach cleanup campaigns, plastic reduction drives, and awareness programs that aim to protect Lebanon’s coastline and marine life. Through these activities, BAU fosters a sense of environmental stewardship among its students and prepares them to contribute to marine conservation efforts in their future careers.

Community Outreach and Partnerships:

BAU plays a key role in promoting marine conservation beyond the university through community outreach programs and collaborations with local and international organizations. The university works with NGOs and local authorities to raise awareness about the importance of protecting marine ecosystems, organizing workshops and seminars on topics such as marine pollution, sustainable fisheries, and climate change impacts on coastal areas.

The university also partners with local schools and community groups to engage younger generations in marine conservation efforts. Through educational campaigns, BAU helps foster a culture of environmental responsibility and inspires community members to take action to protect Lebanon’s marine resources.

Collaboration with Government and International Organizations:

BAU collaborates with government agencies, including the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, on projects related to marine conservation and sustainable fisheries. These partnerships allow the university to contribute its research and expertise to national efforts to protect Lebanon’s marine ecosystems.

Additionally, BAU works with international organizations such as the UNDP and the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) to promote regional cooperation on marine conservation. Through these collaborations, the university helps align Lebanon’s efforts with broader international initiatives to protect the Mediterranean Sea.

Conclusion

Lebanon’s coastal and marine ecosystems are critical to its biodiversity and economy, but they are under threat from pollution, overfishing, and climate change. The Lebanese government, through the Ministry of Environment and in collaboration with international partners, has been working to address these challenges by reducing marine pollution, protecting marine biodiversity, and promoting sustainable resource use.

Beirut Arab University plays a vital role in advancing SDG 14 through marine research, sustainable campus initiatives, and community engagement. The university’s commitment to protecting Lebanon’s marine resources and raising awareness about marine conservation makes it a key contributor to the country’s efforts to achieve SDG 14. Through its research, education programs, and partnerships, BAU helps foster a culture of environmental responsibility and supports national and regional efforts to protect the Mediterranean and its biodiversity.

Water in Lebanon: Turning Current Challenges into Future Opportunities

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Research-Center-for-Environment-and-Development/Community-Engagement/Water-in-Lebanon-Turning-Current-Challenges-into-Future-Opportunities

Conference panels at AUB-IFI, Beirut hosted participants from AUB, BAU, PU and Balamand Universities, and industry experts who encouraged the next generation to focus their studies and careers on the water and environmental sector in order to turn Lebanon’s water challenges into opportunities. The panels also featured various private and public actors who are involved in water management as well as Mr. Michele Pierpaoli – Attache’ for Water and Waste Water Affairs from the European Union Delegation to Lebanon. Interactive discussions with students and participants was held. The live streaming and BAU- ACF live discussion panel at BAU-RCED, Bekaa, conducted a discussion and knowledge-sharing platform led by Dr. Safaa Baydoun & Dr. Kamal El Kalaani with around 150 participants from universities, freshman and school students. Major water challenges in Lebanon, especially on Litani River, Bekaa region and management means of the impact of Syrian crisis and climate change on water resources issues were highlighted. Students were encouraged to purse higher studies on water resources related majors and contribute to local and national activities towards turning challenges into opportunities.

Restoration of Qaraoun Lake aquatic life based on wetland treatment concept

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372433348_Restoration_of_Qaraoun_Lake_aquatic_life_based_on_wetland_treatment_concept

Qaraoun Lake, the largest artificial lake in Lebanon, suffered severe environmental issues due to discharging untreated domestic and industrial wastewater into it, throwing garbage, which transformed this lake into waste storage instead of using the water for agricultural purposes and making the surrounding places attractive for tourists as was before. Moreover, the violations on Litany River, Lebanon's main artery, also affected Qaraoun Lake. Therefore, this main reservoir suffers from annual blooms of potentially toxic cyanobacteria. Recently, tons of fish are washed up at the surface of the water, agricultural areas are irrigated with polluted water and the Qaraoun Lake is no longer an attractive touristic place. Besides, the climate change represented in lower precipitation and higher evaporation rates in the past few years in addition to the increase in the water demand due to the growth in the local population and the refugees from nearby countries have affected the vulnerability of the water sector in Lebanon. All these issues have resulted in the deterioration of the water quality, generating environmental issues, and seriously affecting the ecosystem. The purpose of this research is to investigate possible remediation strategies, which could help in the restoration of the Qaraoun reservoir. For this purpose, the Litani River water quality and hydrological data are collected from the Litani River Authority (LRA). Moreover, a hydrodynamic water quality model has been developed using Mike21 in order to restore the lake's aquatic life by eliminating the Litani River nutrients through constructed wetland concept, which reasonably simulated the water quality parameters of Qaraoun Lake. Consequently, the wetland could remarkably reduce the Litani River pollutants by 85%, 43.7%, 57%, and 56% for BOD, Phosphorous, Nitrate, and Ammonia, respectively. The resulted treated water, after passing the wetland, successfully improved the lake water quality and may lead to re-originate its ecosystem.

National workshops on “Groundwater Governance in the Arab World: Taking Stock and Addressing the Challenges”

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Research-Center-for-Environment-and-Development/Outreach-Activities-2017-Groundwater-Governance-in-the-Arab-World

As the National Facilitator of the USAID funded project “Groundwater Governance in the Arab World: Taking Stock and Addressing the Challenges”, RCED organized two workshops during February 21-22, 2017 in Beirut and Bekaa to present and discuss with stockholders and decision makers the findings and the proposed policy white paper generated by the project for groundwater governance in Lebanon. Workshop I, Beirut, Feb. 21st 2017, targeted officials and decision makers from the Ministry of Energy and Water, Bekaa Water Establishment and the Litani River Authority. Whereas workshop II, Bekaa, Feb. 22nd 2017, was oriented towards local stakeholders including municipality members, Water User Associations and farming communities.

Objectives

• Addressing challenges facing groundwater resources in Lebanon
• Contributing to finding solutions and mitigation measures to groundwater crisis and abuse in Lebanon
• Bringing decision-makers, practitioners and users together to set up aquifer dialogues and discuss groundwater governance
• Drawing connections between science, knowledge and policy making

During both interactive workshops I and II, the research team of the project led by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) presented and discussed the “Case of Central Bekaa, A Policy White Paper”. On the behalf of the BAU President, Prof. Amer Galal Adawi, and BAU family, Prof. Adel El Kordi, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, addressed the participants and research team with a warm welcome and acknowledgment for the efforts and importance of project’s findings for the management of one of the most national pressing challenges of Lebanon. He emphasized that BAU has followed a dedicated path to provide quality educational outcomes that contribute to water management and governance in Lebanon through qualified civil and environmental engineers. Dr. Safaa, Director of RCED, added that this project which is part of the regional project that includes Tunisia, Lebanon, Jordan, UAE and Oman aims to identify the required actions to achieve good ground governance in Bekaa which is suffering from excessive pumping illegal pumping and that the workshop maybe viewed as a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange in the field of groundwater governance at the national level. The valuable participation of managers and donors of international water projects in Bekaa including USAID Lebanon Water Project, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Solidarite – Eau, France, International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), German Organization for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) allowed and facilitated knowledge sharing and building links for potential future collaboration. Through his intervention Prof. Jamal Al Khatib, Faculty of Engineering, BAU, stressed on the urgency of developing and implementing integrated water management plans to combat the severe challenges water sector is facing due to climate change and pressures of Syrian refugees.

Litany River from its Source to its Estuary: “Vision and Solutions”

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Research-Center-for-Environment-and-Development/Outreach-Activities-2017-Litany-River-from-its-Source-to-its-Estuary

Under the patronage and in the presence of the former Minister of the Environment His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Mashnouk, Beirut Arab University organized a workshop entitled “Litany River from its Source to its Estuary: Vision and Solutions” on 24 September 2016.

Objectives

• Highlighting and sharing concerns regarding the severe degradation of the ecological status of Litany River and its adverse effects on development and economic growth not only of Bekaa region but also across all Lebanon
• Stressing on the urgent need to implement the governmental action plan to combat the environmental degradation of the river
• Cooperating with stakeholders, public farmers and industrials
• Enhancing collaboration and fostering BAU engagement in pressing national concerns

Participants included parliament members of Bekaa, universities, governmental and research institutions, NGOs, municipalities and a breadth of community members. Prof. Amr Galal El Adawi, BAU President, addressed participants with a welcoming presentation highlighting the major challenges facing the water sector in Lebanon and stressing the need for urgent implementation of actions to combat these challenges. In her presentation, Prof. Hania Nakkash, Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, emphasized the role of higher education and scientific research in developing plans and implement actions to efficiently contribute to the integrated management and conservation of the integrity of the precious of water resources in the country. Projects covering various aspects of the challenges facing Litany River and government plans and projects to tackle them were presented by Ministry of the Environment (MoE) and Litany River Authority (Eng. Mohamad Younis). Parliament members Dr. Assem Araji and Mr. Jamal Jarah, Litany River Authority, members of municipality expressed their high concerns for the degraded environmental status of the river and its impact on economy, public health and society and sluggish performance of government. Prof. Hussein Amiri, University of Colorado, presented an overview of some global best practices in the integrated management of river basins in USA and emphasized the need for coordination between ministries, governmental institutions and public for the successful management of the Litany River Basin. In the closing session a briefing on BAU contribution to the assessment of the ecological status of the river and management of its environmental degradation was presented by Dr. Safa Baydoun, Director of BAU, followed by an open discussion and development of a set recommendation.

Call for Volunteers

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Engineering/Event/Call-for-Volunteers

The oil spill that happened mid-February has impacted Lebanon shore severely especially Tyre Beach. Unfortunately, no serious action was taken to remove the tars that are expected to cause a huge damage to turtles, swimming season and fishing!

SPE Beirut Section in collaboration with its three affiliated students’ chapters (SPE BAU, SPE LAU, and SPE LU Roumieh Chapters) are organising a cleaning day of Tyre Beach this April 3rd at 10 am.

That's why volunteers from all over Lebanon are needed to help during this day. All cleaning equipment will be provided.

To register sign up using the following link:

https://lnkd.in/emY6Ejm

For more information, contact us at

hsg_99@hotmail.com

s.mostafa@bau.edu.lb

kassem.alokla@hotmail.com

Be many!

Our environment is waiting for us!

#wearespe

Society of Petroleum Engineers International

Environmental Studies

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Science-and-Technology/environmental-studies

Environmental science research contributes significantly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by providing essential knowledge and solutions to address environmental challenges. It helps in understanding ecosystems, biodiversity, climate change, pollution, and resource management, thus guiding policies and actions towards sustainability. Through interdisciplinary approaches, environmental science research informs sustainable development strategies, enhances conservation efforts, enhances resilience to environmental risks, and promotes equitable access to resources, thus promoting multiple sustainable development goals related to environmental protection, poverty eradication, health, and well-being, among others.

Description of Subtheme:

Environmental Protection Act (1986) defined “Environment as the sum total of water, air and land, their interrelationships between themselves and with human beings, other living beings, and property”. One of the most important disciplines included in environmental studies is the environmental science which is the scientific study of environmental system (air, water, soil, and Land) including any changes and damages that result from human interaction with the environment. Human activities are polluting natural resources worldwide. Lebanon, like other countries in the region, is suffering from a major pollution crisis that affects both its aquatic and land resources. Understanding the scientific basis of our environmental science is vital to find solutions to these problems to protect the environment and then preserve our nature.

Research topics are centered around the following topics:

• Environmental and anthropogenic effects on radiocarbon distribution in Lebanon.
• Occurrence and levels of pesticides in Lebanon's water.
• Decolorization of synthetic dyes by bacteria.
• Biocontrol of plant pathogens.
• Environmental factors that affect the microbial degradation of phenol.
• Design of new azo compounds to detect and capture carbon dioxide from air.
• Treatment of pharmaceuticals from water using macrocycles
• Environmental protection exploring natural resources
• Environmental Microbiology and Bioremediation
• Design, synthesis, and physic-chemical characterization of macrocyclic ligands that have biological and environmental applications.
• Encapsulation of azophenolic compounds in a drug carrier macrocycle to be used as a food preservative.

Prominent Research:

• Detection of ciprofloxacin residues in milk by sensitive and rapid methods is of great interest due to its use in the treatment of dairy livestock health. Current analytical approaches to antibiotic detection are laboratory-based methods, and they are time-consuming and require trained personnel. We were able to detect the presence of ciprofloxacin in a diluted milk sample without any pretreatment using an assay based on the fluorescence polarization principle. The developed assay allows for the detection of ciprofloxacin at a concentration of 1ppb, which represents an amount lower than the maximum residual limit (MRL) of ciprofloxacin in milk, as defined by the European Union regulation (100 ppb).
• Among the seven bacterial strains isolated from marine samples, Staphylococcus epidermidis represented a promising isolate for biocement production. It was identified biochemically and genotypically. Technically, the biocement produced successfully packed the clay particles tightly and decreased their porosity considerably, leading to increased clay water retention capacity (WRC) compared to the control. Moreover, the compressive pressure resistance of the prepared biocement blocks containing Staphylococcus epidermidis suspension increased regularly along 28 days of solidification.
• Water Hyacinth Biochar (WHB) was produced by pyrolysis at 900°C. The results indicate that WHB has oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic activity. The ORR catalytic activity of WHB is attributed to its physical and chemical surface properties. The maximum power density produced from an air cathode single chamber microbial fuel cell (ACSC-MFC) with WHB as the ORR catalyst versus the Pt/C catalyst were 24.7 and 12.3 mWm−2, respectively. This study demonstrated that water hyacinth biochar can be used as an inexpensive catalyst for ORR in microbial fuel cells.
• Safe, accessible and good quality water are essential characteristics to reduce various waterborne diseases. Since domestic water is the most consumed water by Lebanese people, cleaning domestic water tanks is important to prevent their exposure to pathogenic microorganisms. Generally, all stages of the value chain of the Lebanese water sector are still imperfect. Thus, the domestic water should be regularly tested, especially in the impoverished landmarks where water quality is the worst. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical parameters and microbiological quality of the water in the storage tanks of homes in Sidon, Lebanon. The total coliform, fecal coliform, and Escherichia coli contaminate was 54%, 20%, and 16% in each of the samples, respectively. Other bacteria isolated from household water included intestinal Enterococcus faecalis (68%), Staphylococcus aureus (68%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22%). The bacterial isolates showed a prevalence of resistance and intermediate resistance against the tested antibiotic agents. Multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected in 21% of the collected S. aureus, using cefoxitin agent and mecA gene detection. The prevalence of virulence genes was also observed in both P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. Our data show that Sidon domestic water is not suitable for drinking or home applications.
• A newly synthesized upper rim azocalix[4]arene, namely 5,11,17,23-tetra[(4-ethylacetoxyphenyl) (azo)]calix[4]arene, CA-AZ has been fully characterized and its chromogenic and selective properties for anions are reported. Among the univalent anions, the receptor is selective for the fluoride anion, and its mode of interaction in solution is discussed. The kinetics of the complexation process were found to be very fast as reflected in the immediate colour change observed with a naked eye resulting from the receptor–anion interaction. An emphasis is made about the relevance in selecting a solvent in which the formulation of the process is representative of the events taking place in the solution. The composition of the fluoride complex investigated using UV/vis spectrophotometry, conductance measurements, and titration calorimetry was 1:1, and the thermodynamics of the complexation of anions and CA-AZ in DMSO were determined. The fluoride complex salt was isolated, and a detailed investigation was carried out to assess its ability to remove CO2 from the air. Recycling of the complex was easily achieved.
• The optimal conditions for the extraction of aspirin from water by the modified silicate material were determined as a function of the mass of the extracting agent and the pH of the aqueous solution. The optimum mass was found to be 0.08–0.10 g with 99.9% removal of aspirin. The maximum extraction of aspirin by the material was observed at pH 4. The kinetics, removal capacity, and recycling capacity of the material were investigated. The results indicate that (i) the process is fast, (ii) the removal capacity for the drug is greater than that of previously reported materials, and (iii)the modified silicate can be easily recycled. These data, along with the low cost involved in the production of the material, led to the conclusion that the modified silicate has the required potential for industrial use. Molecular simulation calculations suggest that one unit of aspirin interacts with one unit of the modified silicate L1 through hydrogen bond formation between the amine functional group of the silicate and the oxygen donor atoms of aspirin.

Specialized Water and Soil Analysis Laboratory

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Science/Specialized-Water-and-Soil-Analysis-Laboratory

The Specialized Water and Soil Analysis unit utilizes cutting edge instrumentation to perform full service analytical environmental testing in emerging organic and inorganic contaminants. A variety of techniques to determine the elemental composition of variable materials including petroleum products, environmental samples, biological tissues or artificial polymers are widely used.

Infrastructure of the Laboratory

Atomic Absorption Spectrometers (AAS), Calorimeter Visible Merck Spectroquant, Ultraviolet-Visible spectrophotometer, Aqua Quest Spectrophotometer for Water Analysis, Diet Quest Spectrophotometer for Water Analysis Spectra Analyzer, Shaker Incubator, Bacterial Incubator, Kjeldahl Nitrogen, Dissolved oxygen meter, Flame Photometer, Prime lab 1.0 Multitest Photometer, Near IR Spectra Analyzer, Conductivity meter, pH-meter.

Applications

This organic area is focused on the basic techniques of:

• Water and soil analysis
• Modified supra-molecular and nano-materials for water treatment
• Modified biomass and activated carbon for the removal of dyes and heavy metals from waste water
• Determination of trace metals, pesticides in tissues, sediments and water
• Quantitative determination of organic nitrogen in chemical substances
• Analysis of dairy product, meat and other food products, snacks, grains, animal feed, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
• All methods follow international quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) standards.

Workshop on the Environmental Status of the Litani River at Beirut Arab University

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/A-Workshop-on-the-Environmental-Status-of-the-Litani-River-at-Beirut-Arab-University

The Research Center for Environment and Development at Beirut Arab University, Bekaa Site, organized a workshop under the title of The Environmental Status of the Litani River: Problems and Solutions” which aimed to raise the aquatic awareness among people and motivate them to act quickly and take practical measures in order to face the problems from which the Litani suffers.

The workshop that was held on the 28th of March 2012, was attended by MP Dr. Assem Araji, ex-MP Mr. Nazem Nasrallah, ex-Minister of Agriculture Dr. Adel Kortas, Heads of the West, North and Central Bekaa Municipalities in addition to representatives of non-governmental organizations, significant figures and interested audience.

In the workshop, the status of the Litani River Basin was portrayed in terms of its quality, the amount of water available and the key aspects of proper management through worksheets presented by Professor Hamdi Seif, Faculty of Engineering/BAU, Dr. Nabil Amasha, Head of the Environment Unit in the Litani River Authority and Engineer Bassem Sabbagh, Head of the Pollution Control Department in the Ministry of the Environment.

The workshop resulted in calling for the establishment of an agency or a national council that coordinates among the concerned ministries, municipalities, the local community and the Litani Authority to manage the water of the basin, to put an end to the arbitrary environmental violations and to follow up, with the help of the Council for Development and Construction, on the status of the drainage system stations in the basin.

World Water Day 2018 at RCED

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Research-Center-for-Environment-and-Development/Community-Engagement/World-Water-Day-2018

On World Water Day 2018, under the theme, “Nature for Water”, Research Center for Environment and Development (RCED), Beirut Arab University, Bekaa jointly with Gruppo di Volontariato Civile (GVC)-Italia organized a celebration event on March 30, 2018. This event was funded by UNHCR being the donor of several development projects that support the water networks and services in Bekaa region. The event targeted a group of students from the faculty of Civil Engineering, Beirut Arab University.

GVC team of both Italian and Lebanese members shared with participants the organization’s vision and information about its projects in several countries including those implemented in Lebanon. In addition, the use of nature-based approaches for water pumping and improving water quality were presented while examples of best practices were high lightened. This was followed by a site visit to the water system projects implemented by GVC in Qoub Elias, Central Bekaa and open round table discussion was held.