Table of Contents Tables and Maps Abbreviations Summary
3 4 5
1 Introduction
6
2 History and Importance of Lake Burullus
7
2.1 Development History of Lake Burullus
7
2.2 Location and size of Lake Burullus
11
3 Environmental Setting
13
3.1 Climate
12
3.1.1 Temperature 3.1.2 Precipitation 3.1.3 Wind Movement
14 14 15
3.2 Water Resources
16
3.3 Physical Environment and Natural Land Cover (Soils and Geology)
17
3.4 The importance of Wetlands
19
4. Demographic Development
21
4.1. Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate
21
4.1.1 Lake Burullus surrounding districts
23
4.1.2 Baltim district
24
5. Economic activities
25
5.1 Tourist Activity
25
5.2 Agricultural Activity
25
5.3.Fisheries in Burullus
30
5.3.1.Fish productivity 5.3.2.The relative importance of Fish production 5.3.3. Fishing income
32 33 34
5.4. Livestock economics 5.5. Economics of reeds 5.6 Bird catching economics
36 37 38
6. The Survey
40
6.1. Methodology
40
6.2. Survey results
41
6.2.1. Educational Status 6.2.2. Fishing activities
41 42
6.2.2.1. Number of sons practicing fishing 6.2.2.2. Ownership of fishing boats 6.2.2.3. Number of employees on fishing boats 6.2.2.4. Average wage of the employees 6.2.2.5. Number of fishing days in a week 6.2.2.6. Presence of fish farms 6.2.2.7. Membership in fishing cooperatives 6.2.2.8. Problems facing Fishing 6.2.2.9 The proposed solutions of fishing problems
42 42 43 43 43 44 45 47 48
7 Land Use
50
8 Land Use Planning
51
8.1 The planning System and the planning process in Egypt
52
8.2 Zoning and Buffer Zones – Recommend Land Use Structure for the Protectorate
55
9. Recommendations and Perspectives
57
10. References
60
11. Appendix
66
2
Tables and Maps Table 1: Changes in the Size at Lake Burullus
8
Table 2: Population numbers and their distribution in Rural and Urban areas
21
Table 3 Population distribution, sex, urban and rural
22
Table 4: Total area of the Governorate, Density and percentage
22
Table 5: Employment conditions in the Governorate
23
Table 6: Population distribution in the five districts
24
Table 7: The agricultural area in the five districts surrounding the lake
26
Table 8: Net return of the main crops at the sample level in 1999.
27
Table 9: Fish production and productivity of Lake Burullus during the period (1988-1999)
33
Table 10: Evolution of Lake Burullus production in thousand tons and its relative Importance of the northern lakes and gross national fish productivity during the Period (1988-1998).
34
Table 11: Rate of Return on Investment in fishing Gears in Lake Burullus
36
Table 12: Net return of livestock at the sample level in 1999.
37
Table 13: Net return of cutting reeds in lake Burullus in 1999.
39
Table 14: Net return on bird catching in lake Burullus 1999.
39
Map 1: The shrinking area of Lake Burullus between 1798 and 1934
8
Map 2: location of lake Burullus (present status)
11
Map 3: Precipitation in northern Egypt
15
Map 4: Wind movement on the northern coast of Egypt
16
3
Abbreviations
CAPMAS
Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics
EEAA
Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency
GAFRD
General Authority for Fish Resource Development
GOPP
General Organization for Physical Planning
GPPC
Governorate Physical Planning Committee
IWRB
International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research
MALR
Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation
MNPY
Mubarak National Project for Youth
MPWWR
Ministry of Public Works and Water Resources Bureau
ORDV
Organization for Reconstruction and Development of Egyptian Villages
WLUC
World Land Use Commission
4
Summary Principal Features Lake Burullus is a shallow, saline lagoon, about 65km in length, varying in width from 6km to 16km, and containing about 50 islands and islets. Water depth ranges between 0.5m and 1.6m, the eastern part being the shallowest (average depth = 0.8m). The lagoon is separated from the Mediterranean along most of its length by a long sand dune bar, but is connected with the open sea by a narrow channel (about 50m wide) near the village of El Burge, in the east. As a result, there is a strong salinity gradient from east to west, with the western part of the lagoon containing relatively fresh water. Conservation Issues Fishing is regulated, but there is no closed season. There are proposals for protecting a number of the islands for nature conservation. In an attempt to control the spread of the Phragmites beds, the local fishermen graze domestic buffalo on the more accessible areas, although this has been largely unsuccessful as a management measure. The active coastal sand dunes frequently block the channel connecting the lagoon with the sea, but the channel is kept open artificially through dredging. Substantial volumes of water laden with fertilizer and pesticide runoff enter the lagoon's southern side through a number of drainage channels. This has led to rapid eutrophication and pollution. Water quality problems have combined with increasing levels of commercial fishing activity, resulting in major declines in fish production. 5km of coastal protection barriers have been erected between Baltim and El Burge. The surface area of the Lake Burullus has decreased by about 20% this century as a result of infill and conversion activities, with new reclamation projects currently being developed along the southern shore. There are also plans for the construction of a major road over the northern coastal bar; this would include a 3km long bridge and excavation of a second channel linking the lagoon with the sea. There is also a proposal for diverting floodwater from the River Nile into Lake Burullus, which would be developed as a water storage reservoir. In view of information contained within the 1990 Egyptian National Report, Lake Burullus was added to the "Montreux Record" of sites likely to undergo change in ecological character. A preliminary application of the Ramsar Monitoring Procedure was carried out in 1991. The report of this preliminary mission recommended that the Government of Egypt should submit an application to the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Fund to facilitate the initiation of a number of urgently required surveys and management actions.
5
Introduction Burullus is one of Egypt‘s most important wetland for wintering Birds. Lake Burullus also encompasses a wide diversity of various wetlands habitat, ranging from fresh water swamps and Reed beds in the south, to salt marshes and mudflats in the north. Sand dunes dominate the sand bar separating the lake from the sea. The marine environment is presented along the sandy beach habitat, and the exchange between the brackish lake and marine waters provides a unique ecotonal zone. Lake Burullus is located on a coastal bulge of the north central Nile delta region and was declared and established as a Protected Area. In the pursuit of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency to protect endangered species and subspecies to uphold biodiversity, and to maintain environmental equilibrium, the Lake was declared by Prime ministerial decree 1444 in the year 1998, a protected area. The reserve is a significant site for migrating birds featuring one of the forthcoming bird areas. That is the reason why the protected area is one of the important bird observatory sites in Egypt next to the Zaranik Protected Area in north Sinai. The main aim of this study is to collect the data that is related to the socio-economic and land use structure of Lake BURULLUS PROTECTED AREA. The main emphasis of the study lies in the demonstration of human activities and its environmental impact, on the loss of natural habitat. This study yields to support the establishment of protection measures through policies to help the appliance of sustainability and biodiversity. In this response the analysis is concentrated directly on providing the basic data and point out positive as well as negative side effects of the demographic and socioeconomic development. The composed data should provide a first view of the local situation to help develop strategies for the new Socio-economic and Land Use Planning. The main accent of the study lies in the display of major differences between the land use and the environmental impact, to mitigate the loss of natural ambiance. This study yields to support the establishment of protection measures.
6
In this response the analysis has been concentrated directly on positive as well as negative side effects. About the protected area and the socio-economic development there is very little literature available.
2 History and Importance of the Burullus Lake
2.1 Development History of Lake Burullus The history of the Nile delta and the development of the lakes is a complex one and this development process is different from the one of other delta rivers. The Nile delta expanded towards the Mediterranean Sea by the accumulation of small sediments along the two branches, called Rosetta and Damietta, which have been formed over ages. Till 1964 (the beginning of the construction of the Aswan Dam) the Nile delta has been eroding along the Mediterranean Sea. Since then the sediments have been exposed in the Nile delta it, which related to a potentially serious impact for the ecology system of the shoreline of Lake Burullus, which was, formed between the mouths of the two branches Rosetta and Damietta. This development process started in the pre-Nile time (400,000 years ago) but especially during the 16th and 19th Century the shore of the delta expanded into the sea as a result of the decrease of the Mediterranean Sea level, so that the lakes in the delta expanded. (AlSodany:10:1998). Until the middle of the 20th century Lake Burullus was one of the periphery habitats in Egypt. That changed after the government under Nasser has passed a new governmental reclamation program that begun to affect the ecological environment in and around the lake. Since 1953 one sixth of the area close to the Lake Burullus has been given to the land reclamation scheme.
7
Table 1: Changes in the Size at Lake Burullus Year
Feddan
1953
136,190
1973
124,830
1981
114,520
1995
103,430
2000
101,350
Source: Reid/Rowntree, 1982, 42 (Data for 1995 and 2000 estimation)
The size of the lake in 1953 has been estimated around 136,190 feddan. The decrease of the lake size between 1973 and 2000 was due to the reclamation from the eastern shore growth of reeds near the moth of drains. Map 1: The shrinking area of Lake Burullus between 1798 and 19341
Today the decreasing process is especially related to the formations of ponds for fish farms and small private land reclamation’s on the southern shores of the lake. Already the first government reclamation project El-Hamoul scheme, which begun in 1956 in the 1
After El-Sodany 1998.
8
southern and eastern regions of Lake Burullus showed that these areas are neither conductive to productive agriculture, nor are they easy to improve. This project revealed some important indicatives of the problems faced by development and reclamation projects in this area. By 1960, the El-Hamoul scheme had reclaimed about 2,500 feddan in the Helmea zone which is situated next to the Bahr El-Tira and Gharbia drains. By mid 1972, a total of 70,000 feddan had been reclaimed, of which around 37,000 where farmed as a state farm and 33,000 were distributed to approximately 7,500 families, giving an average holding size of 4,2 feddan. By 1980, 24 years after the project started, some 70,000 feddan have been distributed to more or less 13,000 settlers, some 9,000 feddan have been sold in auctions, and around 50,000 feddan have been leased to the Delta Sugar Company, an Egyptian-French joint venture. According to the development of the El-Hamoul scheme only 50% of the distributed land has achieved marginality in 1980. The fishing today is regulated by GAFRD but there is no closed season so that a regeneration process is not guaranteed. Some proposals for protecting a number of the islands for nature conservation exist but none of them have been implemented so far. In an attempt to control the spread of the Phragmites beds, the local fishermen graze domestic buffalo on the more accessible areas, although this has been largely unsuccessful as a management measure. The active coastal sand dunes frequently block the channel connecting the lagoon with the sea, but the channel is kept open artificially through dredging. Substantial volumes of water laden with fertilizer and pesticide run off and enter the lagoon's southern side through a number of drainage channels. This has led to rapid eutrophication and pollution. Water quality problems combined with an increasing of commercial fishing activity are the result of the major declines in the fish production. Around 5km of the coastal protection barriers have been erected between Baltim and ElBurge. The surface of Lake Burullus has decreased by about 20% in this century as a
9
result of infiltrating and conversion activities, since new reclamation projects currently being implemented along the southern shore. The construction of a major road over the northern coastal bar with a 3km long bridge and the excavation of a second channel linking the lagoon with the sea. There is a proposal for diverting floodwater from the river Nile into Lake Burullus, which would be developed as a water storage reservoir. In view of information contained within the 1990 Egyptian National Report, Lake Burullus was added to the "MONTREUX RECORD" of sites likely to undergo change in ecological character. A preliminary application of the Ramsar Monitoring Procedure (important International Bird Area) was carried out in 1991. The report of this preliminary mission recommended that the Government of Egypt should submit an application to the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Fund to facilitate the initiation of a number of urgently required surveys and management actions. The entire area of Lake Burullus and the majority of the surrounding marshland have been in recent times declared a the Prime Minister’s degree number 1444 and were actually established in the year 1998. The protectorate covers all habitat types within the official co-ordinates, between 30º 33’ 00’’ east and 31º 09’ 40” east and 31º 21’08’’ north and 31º 35’ 27” north. The degree especially disallow the subsequent proceedings and practices: a) Hunting of local and migrating birds. b) Endangering or destroying the natural environment and wildlife. c) Devastating, disturbing and removing of terrestrial and wetland plants and organisms as well as causing change in their genetic structure. (e.g. Plantations on the Islands) d) The introduction of exotic species of plants and animals. e) Pollution of air, water and soils within the boarders of the protectorate.
10
Map 2: location of lake Burullus (present status)
2.2 Location and Size of Lake Burullus The Lake Burullus is a large, shallow, fresh to brackish salt-water lagoon, located on the coastal bulge of the north central delta region between the Rosetta and Damietta branches of the Nile with a size of about 595 hectares. The lake lies between longitudes 30º 35’ 00” east / 31º 8’ 00’’ east and latitudes 31º 22‘ 00” north / 31º 37’ 00” north. It is about 65 km long and has a width between 6 and 21km. The depth ranges from 50-200cm with an estimated average depth of 0.75-1m (average depth = 0.8m). (Reid/Rowntree, 1982, 35). The depth increases from the east to the west and from the south to the north. The eastern area near the town of Baltim has a depth from only 15-20 cm. The maximum water depth
11
is during November and the minimum is during February. The coasts of Lake Burullus, particularly the southern shores are irregular. The eastern area (close to Baltim) is commonly free of water when the northwest winds blow; there is a concomitant increase in the lake water level in the west at this time. Therefore the level of the lake is affected by both the amount of drainage water and the water exchange with the Mediterranean Sea which depends of the wind direction. As the second largest of the Nile delta coastal lagoons, Lake Burullus is connected to the Mediterranean Sea through one outlet known as Boughaz Burullus. This outlet suffers from the situation, especially the shoaling of its channel has created difficulties for navigation of the inhabitants, mainly fishermen. All of the drains and canals that flow into Lake Burullus enter the lake on the southern shore. They flow out into the open Mediterranean Sea at the Boughaz Burullus. The outlet lies on the northeast corner of the lake, close to the fisher port of Burge ElBurullus. The opening is 400-500 m wide, and during storms seawater rapidly invades this part of the lake. The coast has always been unstable and at the present time it is in a critical situation. The narrow coastal strips, separating the sea from the lake on each side of the Boughaz, are a risk to the formation of branches, and the protective dunes on the eastern side have been rapidly eroding. (Reid/Rowntree, 1982, 37). In comparison with the other lakes in the delta, the Lake Burullus with the wide opening to the sea remains the one with the most marine environment. Despite this, however, since the completion of the Aswan Dam in 1965, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of freshwater fish, caught in the lake. As already mentioned the lagoon is separated from the Mediterranean Sea along most of its length by a long sand dune bar, but it is connected with the open sea by a narrow channel near the village of El-Burge, in the east. As a result, there is a strong salinity gradient from east to west, with the western part of the lagoon containing relatively fresh water.
12
The site is an important wintering and staging area for birds, including2 Ardea cinerea, Egretta alba (58), E. garzetta (276), Ardeola ralloides (145), Ixobrychus minutus (14), Anas penelope (24,997), A. crecca (2,094), A. clypeata (13,928), Aythya ferina (7,358), A. nyroca (281), Circus aeruginosus (115), Porphyrio porphyrio (8), Fulica atra (15,790), Recurvirostra avosetta (2,818), Vanellus spinosus (48), C. alexandrinus (617), Tringa totanus (3,378), T. stagnatilis (66), Calidris minuta (784), Larus cachinnans (128), L. minutus (3,906), and Chlidonias hybridus (3,530). The extensive Phragmites beds in the southern and eastern parts of the lake, currently covering about 20,000 ha, provide an important breeding habitat for Ixobrychus minutus and Porphyrio porphyrio. (Jones: 1998: 7)
3 Environmental Setting There is little information available about the physical and ecological aspects (climate, geology, geomorphology, hydrology soils, fauna and flora etc.) within the BURULLUS PROTECTED AREA. Most of the data that has been collected is in general about the Nile delta and around the northern region.
3.1 Climate The climate is commonly known as the Mediterranean type, which is distinguished by decreased rainy and cool winters as well as dries and hot summers. The Lake Burullus is therefore situated according to the climate within the Mediterranean coastal region.3
2
Figures refer to winter 1989/90; data provided by the Egyptian authorities (Jones: 1998: 7). 3
According to the map of the world distribution of climate Regions from UNESCO, the northern part of the Delta region belongs to the arid region.
13
3.1.1 Temperature Lake Burullus is located within the warm temperate zone. During winters the region usually has the minimum temperatures with the annual average of 13.3º C (January). In the springtime (March-June) the temperature increases steadily. In summer the temperature reaches a maximum of 26.6º C (July). Until autumn the temperature follows a gradual decrease. The annual average temperature is therefore around 16.6º C. The water temperature of such a shallow lake usually follows similar procedures of change due to the annually circle, being at minimum in the month of January and at a maximum in July. (El-Gazzar, 1998, 71).
3.1.2 Precipitation The Mediterranean coast of Egypt is considered as the rainiest region of the country (only Rafah in the north Sinai close to the eastern boarder has higher precipitation, around 300 mm per year). The rainfalls at Lake Burullus start usually in the late autumn and during the winter period (December to February) while the other periods of the year (February to November) are mainly dry. he average annual precipitation is around 200 mm per year, but varies from year to year, with an oscillation between 150 – 300 mm. (El-Gazzar, 1998, 72).
14
Map 3: Precipitation in northern Egypt
3.1.3 Wind Movement The reason for the main wind direction in January and August (summer), where the wind blows predominantly from the north to the northwest, are the “Etesians”, a wind system formed in the western part of Turkey. These air masses adsorb humidity from the Mediterranean Sea and carry it towards northeast Africa. The air stream heats up when it reaches the coastline, so the wind is able to increase the water holding capacity (the air is able to hold a certain amount of humidity depending on its temperature). As an effect the Delta region has a hot and dry summer period with the dominant wind that is blowing most of the time from western direction.
15
Map 4: Wind movement on the northern coast of Egypt
3.2 Water Resources The lake receives water from two origins. The seawater enters the lake through the inlet at Burge El-Burullus and The Nile water enters through six drains and one fresh water channel. Listed from the west to the east, the drains and canals that enter Lake Burullus on the southern shore are the Brimbal canal (Nashart outfall), Tira pump station (from Nasser drains), Ghabai drain and Burullus drain. All are discharged water pours in the southern part of the lake. The lake-sea connection (inlet) is sometimes closed in year - in springtime due to the movement and accumulation of sand along the coast (compared with the wind direction during this period). Since the completion of the Aswan dam in 1967 the inflowing fresh water in the lake has increased. In 1967, the flow of four drains was 1,736 Million cubic meters. This inflow resulted in an average lake water level of 0.25m above the sea level. In 1970 the two new canals (Burullus and Nasser canal) have been opened, so that the water inflow increased up to 3.207 Million cubic meters. (Reid/Rowntree, 1982, 37). This additional water was sufficient to raise the average level of the lake to 0.33m. As a reason the drainage water, which entered the lake, must have been partly lifted several
16
meters by pumps. Today the water level has decreased again and there is no new information available about the amount. The increased flow of fresh water in the lake since the construction of the Aswan dam has developed a reed bed around the shore of the lake with the greatest concentration in the southwest and southeast corner. The higher amount also increased the extension of reeds around the islands of the lake and in the area near the Hamoul4 reclamation in the east. (Reid/Rowntree, 1982, 40). The climatological conditions in the Delta region play an important part in shaping the landscape and in controlling its ecology. They include extreme aridity, long hot rainless summer periods and mild winters in which storms rarely occur.
3.3 Physical Environment and Natural Land Cover (Soils and Geology) The delta region covers 3 30’ longitudinal degrees: 30 00’east / 33 30’east. This area consists of about 75% of the whole continental shelf of the Egyptian coast, which has an extension to a depth of about 350-400m. The main features of the delta area are the following: a) A wide shelf area with a shallow coastal depth. That was mainly due to the river Nile deposition, when the Nile formatted the delta since immemorial time. b) A great amount of freshwater discharge through the main land-runoff along the identified area. These freshwater quantities are discharging annually not only due to the river Nile water, but also to the discharging quantities through the coastal lakes like Lake Burullus connected either directly or indirectly to the Mediterranean coastal area off Egypt.
4
New reclamation land in the east of the lake Burullus, developed since 1956. Compare page …???
17
The lake is separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a strip of terrain covered with coastal sandbars and sand dunes. The sandbar varies with a width from about 4.5km in the eastern boarder of the BURULLUS PROTECTED AREA to around 0.5km close to the boughaz Burullus. The are to the east of the Boughaz and going towards the town of Baltim is also covered with Mediterranean coastal sand. The soils of the Nile delta are mainly alluvial. The soils in the eastern end of the lake are clays or clay looms of about 1m depth, overlying marine shells, sands, and silts. The soils along the southern boarder of the lake are very saline, silts and clays. (Reid/Rowntree, 1982, 38). Four geomorphic divisions can be classified: a) Young deltaic plains b) Old deltaic plains c) Coastal plains d) Aeolian sands In conclusion it can be said that all of the soils in the delta are influenced by inhabitants and can be called man-made, except the soils in the northern part. “The low layer of Delta flat is separated from open sea by narrow belt of SILIC SEMISTASTIC ERGO SOLS. This sand dune bar grows in the littoral of the shallow sea and gradually separates closed lagoons, which consequently turn into salty lakes and then with gradual silting into MARSHY SOLONCHAKS. Again we have the process of the gradual uplifting and consequent desalinization. All stages of this process may be observed in the northern part of the Delta.”5 Inside the lake there are about 50 uninhabited islands. Some of them are covered with water during high water periods and others are permanent homes for local and migrating birds. Due to the new decrease of the water level the number and size of islands have 5
Quotation from Al-Sodany:21:1998.
18
increased. The islands of Lake Burullus, primarily in the middle section where the lake is the widest, are not sufficiently large enough to compartmentalize the lake, but expanding beds around their margin increasingly restrict the free flow of water. The islands near the lake-sea connection are of sandy nature while those far from the ElBoughaz inlet have a clayey bottom. Some of the island is covered with water during high water periods. The protected area includes a wide diversity of wetland environments. The habitat range from fresh water swamps the already mentioned reed beds on the southern boarder to the salt marches and mudflats in the northern part of the lake.
3.4 The importance of Wetlands Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on earth. Why are they so fruitful Because they offer something for everyone: As hybrid environments—neither land nor water—wetlands provide living space and food to aquatic, amphibious, and terrestrial species alike. And because water levels in wetlands fluctuate over time, a great many different species will find conditions to their liking, each at a different time of the day or year. Despite their richness, marshes, swamps, bogs, and other wetlands have historically received bad press, often condemned as worthless and pestilential wastes. Many wetlands the world over have consequently been destroyed in the name of development. Only recently have scientists, land-use planners, policy makers, and the public at large begun to appreciate the inestimable value of wetlands and the critical role they play in ecological processes, the effects of which may be felt far beyond the borders of the wetlands themselves.
19
Wetlands serve as indispensable habitat for a wealth of creatures of every sort. Many of these—including species of shellfish, fish, waterfowl, and furbearers—support significant economic and recreational activities. Regrettably, recognition of the benefits that wetlands confer has come too late, if at all, to many places. Wetlands today probably occupy only half the area they did in historical times. The rest was appropriated for use as farmland and construction sites or otherwise destroyed. Wetlands that have escaped being filled, diced, ditched, drained, dredged, drowned, or degraded now account for only about 6 percent of the land and shallow water on earth. A major factor in the decline of wetlands is the concentration of human populations near water. About three-quarters of the world’s people live by the coasts, shores, and banks of oceans, inland seas, lakes, and rivers. The relentless quest for additional land to farm and build upon has doomed many wetlands. Many others have served as dumping grounds for solid waste, or have been contaminated by sewage, runoff from farmlands and highways, and other by-products of civilization. The desire to protect the housing, farms, and factories that have been built in floodplains has caused many rivers to be dammed, canalized, and hemmed in by levees. Dams are erected not just for flood control but also to impound water for agricultural and municipal use and to generate electricity. Unfortunately these works of engineering usually alter the ecology of the rivers and their basins and exacerbate flooding problems upstream and down. Wetlands behind the dams drown. Wetlands below the dams dry out when their supply of water is bottled up in reservoirs or diverted to fields and towns, and actually this is happening with Lake Burullus.
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4 Demographic development
4.1 Kafr El Sheikh Governorate demographic data Kafr El Sheikh governorate is one of the biggest governorates in the Nile Delta. It covers the total Area of 3748 km² (892204 Feddan). The governorate is located on the Mediterranean coast at the north of Egypt, with 100 km along the Mediterranean Coast. It borders to the west with 85 km’s on the Rashid western Nile delta arm, to the south with Gharbia governorate and to the east with Dakahlia governorate. Kafr El Sheikh governorate is mainly an agricultural Governorate with a total Population of 2.319.063 persons 1053173 Females and 1265890 Males. The majority of the population (77.1 %) lives in the rural areas, which reflects the agricultural nature of the Governorate. The agricultural cultivated Area forms 62.1% (554237 Feddan) of the total area of the Governorate. The governorate is also leading in average production yields in comparison with the average total of Egypt. The Governorate produces Rice, Wheat, Cotton, Maize, Sugar beat and Potatoes. The Delta Sugar beat Plant; the biggest sugar extracting Plant from sugar beat is located in the governorate. Table 2: Population numbers and their distribution in Rural and Urban areas Population
Person
Percentage
Growth rate
Urban
530265
22.9 %
1,82 %
Rural
1787798
77.1 %
3.06 %
Governorate total
2.319.063
100 %
2.11 %
Source: “Description of Egypt by Information”, Year Book, November 1999.
The man/land ratio (agricultural land) in the governorate is 0.24 Feddan, which is higher than Egypt’s average with only 0.11, this means that there are average four
21
persons per Feddan in comparison with the Egyptian average of ten persons per Feddan, Kafr El Sheikh governorate is also known for its Animal husbandry projects and its Fish production especially from the Lake Burullus. The Governorate has ten Districts with ten Cities, 205 villages and 1695 single Farmsteads, which reflects the rural nature of the Governorate. (Description of Egypt by Information”, Year Book, November 1999)
Table 3: Population distribution, sex, urban and rural Population
Persons
%
Male
%
Female
%
Urban
531265
22.9
366271
50,12
164994
49,88
Rural
178779
77.1
899619
50.32
888179
49,68
100
1265890
50,22
1053173
8 Total
2.319.0 63
49,78
Source: “Description of Kafr El-Sheikh governorate by Information”, July 1999.
Table 4: Total area of the Governorate, Density and percentage Km²
Feddan
Density
Percentage
3748
892203,9
618,74
100 %
Rural
2328.3
554237
227.8
62.1 %
Urban
1419.7
337966,9
1259.3
37.9 %
Total area
Source: “Description of Egypt by Information”, Year Book, November 1999.
The total unemployment figures in the Governorate with 67200 persons unemployed are 10.6% of the total workforce. The unemployment rate, with 13.6% of the workforce in the rural areas is higher than the urban areas with only 5.52% of the total workforce. There is a good opportunity to absorb these unemployed in the rural areas, because of the agricultural nature of the Governorate. The cultivated Area now
22
forms only 62.1 % of the total Area. There is still 49200 Feddans of reclaimable land in the Governorate that can absorb the unemployed in the rural sector. Table 5: Employment conditions in the Governorate Employed (persons)
Unemployed (persons)
Urban Areas
249000
14600
Rural Areas
386000
52600
Total
635000
67200
Source: “Description of Egypt by Information”, Year Book, November 1999.
A ministerial Decree Nr. 1770 in the year 1997 planned the creation of two industrial areas, the first covers114 Feddans in Baltim, and the second industrial area covers 1160 Feddans on the international costal road in Metobes.
4.1.1 Lake Burullus surrounding districts The Lake is located within five districts of Kafr El Sheikh governorate. These Districts are from the East to the West: Baltim, El-Hamoul, El-Riad, Sidi Salem and Metobes. The main activities of the Population in and around the lake are fishing, Reed cutting, grazing and agriculture. The total population number in the five districts is 965220 persons are around 41.6 % of the total population of the Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate with an average low density on the cultivated area compared to the Governorate’s average with 618,74. Only Baltim district has the highest density figures in the Governorate’s average.
23
Table 6: Population distribution in the five districts District
Pop. Count
%
Density
Growth rate
Metobes
195040
20.2
597
2.4
El-Hamoul
206580
21.4
254
2.1
Baltim
145270
15.1
707
2.4
El-Riad
126820
13.1
334
2.5
Sidi Salem
291510
30.2
427
2.3
Total
965220
100
--
--
Source: “Description of Egypt by Information”, Year Book, November 1999. The biggest population concentration is in Baltim district around 50.8% of them are in Baltim and Burg El-Burullus
4.1.2 Baltim district The district has the biggest population concentration especially in Baltim district where you find the highest population density of 707 persons / Km² in the five districts around the lake, it is even higher than the Governorate average with 618 persons / Km². Although the cultivated area in the five selected districts forms 52.8% (554,237 Feddans) of the total cultivated area of the Governorate, and has 42.6% of the all the tenants, still the majority were Fishermen in all the villages and population concentrations in the five districts surrounding the lake. Average land tenure in the five districts is about three Feddans per tenant, which could mean that agricultural activities are the principal economic activity, but in fact fishing activity was dominant.
24
5. Economic Activities
5.1 Tourist Activity The Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate has six historical sites such as the pre historic City of Butu, known now as Tal Elpharaeen, and also some Islamic sites still to be exposed from beneath the Sand dunes, beside the recreation sea resorts. There were plans to set up two recreation areas .Project MNPY and the 25.000 Feddan on the northern Sandbar that are proposed for Tourism development Nevertheless the Governorate has no tourist potential. There are almost no tourist facilities in the Governorate. Although the statistics about Hotels, tourist resorts and rooms are contradictory Even with some recreation areas as in Baltim and lake Burullus, there are a total of 164 rooms (not rated how many stars?) in the Governorate. Even the number of rooms is not very accurate and they differ from one source to another and do not reflect the real tourist potential of the Governorate. There are also no details about the active personnel in the tourist sector.
5.2 Agricultural Activity There are apparently no agricultural activities in a zone of 1-2 km south of the southern shore of the lake and in the southwest. The demarcation between farming and bare land seems to be clear. and bare land seems to be clear. In the southeast is the distance between the lakeshore and agricultural activities even longer, although some scattered farms exist in this area. In the last decade there have been a development of fish farms especially on this shore of the lake and today the main activities consists of the construction of many ponds for various fish types.
25
The area near Baltim is intensively cultivated, mainly with date palms. There is a tendency to create further fish farms because their economic output per feddan is much higher than any agricultural productivity. It should be noted that a combination of the two products could rise the total economic output. The absence of agricultural activity close to the lakeshore is due to several factors: poor soil types, high soil salinity, inadequate irrigation water and saline water in the water table. These circumstances are a reason for the tremendous development of fish farms close to the southern and especially south Eastern Shore of the Lake Burullus. Because of new reclamation efforts on the wasteland area of the scheme the government decided to establish the model El-Zawia Fish Farm in the beginning of the 1980’s. Since then the fish farm is quite successful except for the fact that it has been operating at ½ of its capacity. Due to the shortage of clean water in the mid delta it does not only affects the El-Zawia Fish Farm but also affects many of the private fish farmers in the area as well as the agricultural farmers. Land sat satellite passes over Lake Burullus in 1973 and 1979 have provided images, which show the extent of vegetative, cover in the lake region. No agricultural activity is apparent for some 4-5 km south of the southern shores of the lake, and in the Southwest the demarcation between farming and bare land is very clear. In the southeast there tends to be an even greater distance between the lakeshore and agricultural activity although some scattered farms exist even in this area. The area near Baltim is intensively, cultivated mainly in date palms. The absence of agricultural activity near the lake is due to several factors, including poor soil types, high soil salinity, inadequate irrigation water and saline water in the water.
26
Table 7: The agricultural area in the five districts surrounding the lake District
Number of
Total cultivated area
Agricultural Tenants
in (Feddan)
Metobes
14927
40759
El-Hamoul
18570
91129
Baltim
6727
29061
El-Riad
17750
46276
Sidi-Salem
35720
85194
Total
93694
292419
Source: Agricultural administration of Kafr Elsheikh Govrnorate, July 2000.
The area near Lake Burullus is not conducive to productive agriculture, nor easy to improve. The experience of the El Hamoul Scheme, a large government reclamation project In the southern and eastern regions of Burullus begun in 1956, are indicative of some of the problems faced by development and reclamation projects in this area. By 1960, the El Hamoul Scheme had had reclaimed about 2,500 Feddans in the Helmea zone, Situated between the Bahr El Tira and Gharbia Drains. By mid 1972, a total of 70,100 Feddans had been reclaimed, of which 30.800 were farmed as a state farm and 31,700 were distributed to 7,518 families, giving an average holding size of 4.2 Feddans. By 1979, 23 years after the project was begun, some 70,000 Feddans had been distributed to 13,412 settlers, some 8,900 Feddan, had been sold at auction, and 48,500 Feddans had been leased to the Delta Sugar Company, an EgyptianFrench joint venture (Hunting, 80). According to the El Hamoul Scheme management, only about 50% of the distributed land had achieved marginality in 1979. One survey in the summer of 1977 in Hafr Shehab, part of the reclaimed area east of Burullus, found that settlers farmed a total of 41,000 Feddans, of which only 68% was under crops. Furthermore, they achieved
27
about 60% of the national average yield of rice and less than 40% of the national average yield of cotton. These are poor yields for lands, which have been in the process of reclamation for l520 years. The reclamation efforts on one wasteland area of the Scheme about 30 Km. from Burullus were so unsuccessful that the government decided to establish the model El Zawia Fish Farm on the land. This fish farm is quite successful except for the fact that it has been operating at ⅓ to ½ of its capacity due to the shortage of water supplies in the area. This shortage of water in the mid-delta not only affects El Zawia Fish Farm but also affects many of the private fish farmers in the area as well as the agricultural farmers. There were numerous reports of limited crop yields, particularly in rice, due to irrigation water shortages during 1980-81. While there are some Feddans within the El Hamoul scheme, which have proven to be very productive, the general experience in the region of Lake Burullus indicates that there are a number of limitations to using this area for agricultural development. Highly variable soil conditions, many sandy soils, high salinity conditions and inadequate irrigation water, are all conditions, which limit the profitability of reclamation efforts. Water availability limitations; also constrain the further developments of fish farming in the area. The Economics of agricultural crops are not very profitable the only profitable crops are Guava, Berseem and dates. Net return per Feddan and net return per pound of costs have been estimated for the main crops as shown in table 8.
28
Winter tomatoes:
the estimated net return on coast unit amounts to L.E. 1.48, the matter which means that each pound spent in crop production yields L.E. 1.48.
Table 8: Net return of the main crops at the sample level in 1999.
Crop
Area
Gross return
Total costs
Net return
Net return
L.E.
L.E.
L.E.
L.E./ Fedan
3,700
2,467
Net return Per pound of cost 1.48
8,000
1,053
2.19
6,650
1,547
1.96
4,000
1,600
1.60
950 2,770 2,175 8,900 3,400
633 923 1,088 1,113 486
0.90 4.26 1.58 2.02 1.36
32,400
3,146
7,005 50,000
1,387 3,436
Feddan 6,200 2,500 Winter 1.5 Tomatoe s 11,650 3,650 Winter 4.75 cabbage 10,050 3,400 Winter 4.30 cauliflow er 6,500 2,500 Winter, 2.50 waterme lon 1.50 2,000 1,050 Beans 3.00 3,420 650 Berseem 2.00 3,550 1,375 Wheat 8.00 13,300 4,400 Rice 7.00 5,900 2,500 Summer corn, Maize 10.3 45,400 13,000 Summer tomatoes 5.05 8,900 1,895 Dates 14.55 59,750 9,750 Guava Source: Compiled and computed from the survey data.
Winter cabbage:
2.49 3.70 5.13
It has been found that each pound spent in cabbage production Yields L.E. 2.19.
Cauliflower:
Net return per coat unit spent in crop production amounts L.E.
Water melon:
The profitability of cost unit of crop production amounts L.E. 1.60.
29
Broad beans:
It has been revealed that the profitability per cost unit invested in production amounts to L.E. 0.90
Berseem:
the estimated profitability per cost unit amounts to L.E. 4.26.
Wheat:
The estimated profitability of cost unit invested in crop production amounts to L.E. 1.58.
Summer rice:
it has been found that each Egyptian pound invested in rice production yield a profitability of about L.E. 2.02.
Summer corn (maize):The estimated profitability of cost unit invested in its production amounts up to L.E. 1.36 Summer tomatoes:
It has been observed that each unit of production cost yield a profitability of about L.E. 2.49.
Dates:
the estimated profitability per cost unit of production amounts about L.E. 3.50.
Guava:
It has been revealed that each unit of production cost yield a profitability of about L.E. 5.13.
Based on the criterion of profitability per cost unit, it can be summarized that Guava, Berseem (Alpha Alpha) and dates are considered the most valuable and profitable crops in comparison to the other agricultural crop types.
5.3 Fishery in Lake Burullus With about 31% of the delta lakes area, Burullus produced only about 21% of the landed fish tonnage in all the delta lakes in the 1970-77 period. In 1977 Burullus produced almost 6,600 tons of fish valued at about LE 3.4 million. Approximately 8,500 licensed fishermen in 1977 produced an average of 772 kg each, for an average value per fisherman of about LE 398. For the period 1970-77, the average net income
30
per fisherman was LE 368, almost twice that of Edku, but only 31% of that in Maryut and 29% of that in Manzala. Lake Burullus has the most productive Mullet fishery of the delta lakes due to the wide lake-sea connection, which allows high recruitment of Mullet fry from the sea each year. The Mullet grow to be many times the size of Tilapia and are valued per kilo at several times the price of the more common species. The warm, shallow waters and large amounts of organic materials available for food form ideal grounds for Mullet fry to develop, particularly in the calm area, near the shores and around the islands. In fact the fishing is the leading activity in the area around the lake. In 1977 there were approximately 8,500 licensed fishermen working on the lake. Now 4400 fishermen are registered in El Burge Fishermen cooperative alone. The fishermen stated there is also maybe double this number illegal fishermen fishing in the lake and they use the reed as cover from the water area Police. The warm, shallow waters with large amounts of organic materials offer ideal food possibilities for the growing Mullet fry, particularly the calm areas near the shore and around the islands. But due to the fact that the water of the lake is becoming increasingly fresh water, the amount of the Mullet has decreased in the last decades. Throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s the production of Mullets of Lake Burullus was higher than the other lakes. Today there are around 3,500 licensed boats on Burullus, entirely classed as third class boats. The boats on Burullus are larger than those of the other lakes. There are considerably numbers of large markebs and may intermediate sizes of faloukas as well as large size canoe-like boats. The often-turbulent water in this large and windy lake requires larger boats. Strings of smaller boats can often be seen for the use at the fishing site, being towed behind larger boats. In the shallow areas the fishermen do wire trap fishing especially in the shallow areas near some islands and along the shoreline, for this method they use various types of fishing nets.
31
But the fishery performance of the Lake Burullus is weak and the reasons are several factors. The main one is the new hydrological regime caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam, which has significantly affected the fertility of the lake. On the one hand, the lake receives no longer the fertilizing Nile sediments, which were brought by the yearly seasonal floods. On the other hand, there has been an increase in the nutrient-poor drain water flowing to Burullus. An investigation of the impact of the new water regime on Lake Burullus concludes that a gradual decrease of fish products is expected. Furthermore the lake receives one of the highest nutrient-rich sewage, which changes the water quality and leads to eutrophication. (Reid/Rowntree, 1982, 41).
5.3.1 Fish Productivity Table (9) presents the gross fish production and productivity during the period 198881999. From this table it is clear that the gross fish production fluctuated between a minimum limit of about 26,6 thousand-kilogram in 1988 and a maximum limit of about 59,4 thousand kilograms in 1996. It decreased since then to 55,3 thousand kilograms in 1999, with a decreasing rate of about 6.9 % higher than that in the year in 1996. In estimating productivity per Feddan, it has been revealed that it amounts to 231 kg in 1988 and reached its maximum limit (573 kg) in 1998, then the productivity dropped to 537 kg in 1999. Also, productivity of fishing boats has been estimated. It fluctuated between a minimum (4,023 tons) in 1988 and a maximum limit (8,112 tons) in 1990, and then dropped to 7,987 tons in 1999.
32
Table 9: Fish production and productivity of Lake Burullus during the period (19881999 Year
Gross
Area
Number
Production
1000 Feddan
of
1000 Tons
Productivity
Boats
Kg/Feddan Kg/Boat
1988
26.6
115.0
6612
231
4023
1989
41.9
114.3
6065
367
6908
1990
57.8
114.3
7125
506
8112
1991
51.8
114.3
7178
453
7216
1992
52.3
114.3
7323
458
7142
1993
48.0
110.0
6452
436
7440
1994
55.1
113.0
7407
488
7439
1995
59.2
116.0
7958
510
7439
1996
59.4
110.0
7971
540
7452
1997
58.7
104.0
7891
564
7439
1998
59.0
103.0
7931
573
7439
1999
55.3
103.0
6924
537
7987
-Source: Compiled and computed from the Public Agency for Fishing Development, Fish production statistics.
It should be mentioned that the fluctuation in fish productivity ca be attributed to fluctuations in gross production, water area and number of fishing boats operating in Lake Burullus.
5.3.2 The relative importance of fish production Table (10) indicated that fish production of Lake Burullus accounted for about 22.32%. The lake production is 8.67% of the northern lakes and national fish production respectively in 1988. Then it accounted for 47.18 % of northern lakes in 1996, but dropped to 33-79% in 1999. Concerning of relative importance it maximum
33
limit (17%) in 1990, afterwards dropped again to bout 10.81 % in 1999 of the national fish productivity. As a average of the studied period, Lake Burullus production accounted for 40.6 %, 13.5 % of the northern Lakes and national fish production respectively. Generally it can be concluded that the gross production of Lake Burullus dropped in 1999, the matter which can be attributed to the ineffective of inlets, shortage of fertile deposits and to the intensive grown reeds. Table 10: Evolution of Lake Burullus production in thousand tons and its relative importance of the northern lakes and gross national fish productivity during the period (1988-1998). Year
Production
Gross national
Lake Burullus
% of
% of gross
of the
Production
Production
northern
national fish
Lakes
production
northern Lakes
1988
119.2
306.9
26.6
22.32
8.67
1989
109.8
325.1
41.9
38.16
12.89
1990
131.5
339.4
57.8
43.95
17.03
1991
123.1
345.1
51.8
42.08
15.01
1992
122.8
347.5
52.3
42.59
15.05
1993
124.2
358.2
48.0
38.65
13.40
1994
127.6
368.4
55.1
43.18
14.96
1995
130.5
407.1
59.2
45.36
14.45
1996
125.9
431.5
59.4
47.18
13.77
1997
137.1
456.9
58.7
42.82
12.85
1998
152.1
545.6
59.0
38.79
10.81
It includes the production of fish cultivation. Source: Compiled and computed from the public Agency for Fisheries Development, fish production statistics. One the one hand the comparison of these rates with the opportunity cost of capital makes clear that all these fishing techniques are economically feasible. But on the other hand fishing activities proved to be profitable for fishermen in Lake Burullus. Also,
34
average monthly income of the owner can be estimated according to the fishing gear between L.E. 342, 400 and 1107 (sailboats). From the preceding results, it is clear that sailboats have the highest productive output and afterwards comes Samboak and Feluccas respectively.
5.3.3 Fishing income By interviewing the fishermen at the sample level, it has been observed that the common fishing gears are Samboak, Feluccas, and sailboats. The rate return on investment and net return been estimated for the stated three fishing gears (methods) as shown in Table 11. It is apparent from the table that the estimated rate of return on capital amounts to 21.8%, 26.2% and 30.4 % for Samboak, Feluccas, and sailboats, and sailboat respectively.
35
Table 11: Rate of Return on Investment in fishing Gears in Lake Burullus
Capital coast (L.E.) Fishing Boat Fishing Nets Total capital costs Fishing Period (Days) Operating Costs Depreciation and Maintenance: Fishing boats Fishing nets - Wages - Miscellaneous Total operating costs Total return Net return of owner Opportunity cost for owner and manager Net return on capital Rate return on Capital Average monthly income for owner
Samboak
Feluccas
Sailboa t
350 325 675 150
1,200 900 2,100 150
16,000 2.100 18,100 300
100 150 1,500 100
300 350 4,000 250
3,000 1,500 36,750 1,000
1,850 4,247 2,397 2,250
4,900 7,700 2,800 2,250
42,250 50,000 7,750 2,250
147 21.8% 342
550 26.2% 400
5,500 30.4% 1107
Source: compiled and computed from the survey data.
5.4 Economic of livestock It has been observed from the field study that the inhabitants breed buffaloes, cows, sheep and goats. Net return per animal unit and per capital has been estimated as shown in the Table 12. With regard to the net return per animal unit, buffaloes came at first and followed by cows, goats and Sheep in a net return of about L.E. 2,250 for buffaloes, 1,690.09 for
36
cows 988.8 for Goats and 864.7 for sheep. The average net return per unit of Livestock amounts to L.E. 1,715. Therefore the per capital annual net return is estimated by L.E. 421. Based on these results, it should be mentioned the per-capital net income of livestock in this area seems to be relatively low. That can be attributed to the limited numbers of heads breaded by each family one the one hand and on the other hand a low productivity of these varieties. Table 12: Net return of livestock at the sample level in 1999. Item Buffaloes Cows Sheep Goats 8 11 17 13 Herd size Gross 23,900 24,600 35,580 2,695 return (L.E./year) 4,100 6,000 640 680 Total costs Net return 19,800 18,600 2,940 2,015 (L.E./year) Net return 2,475 1,690.9 172.9 155 per head (L.E./year) Net return 2250 1,690.9 864.7 968.8 per Animal Unit (L.E./year) Net return per family (L.E./year) Per capital net return * It represents the total animal units based on the head of buffaloes, cows, sheep and
Livestock 25.28* 54.775 11,420 43,255
1,715
2,890
goats equals 1.1, 1.0,0.20 and 0.16 animal unit respectively. Source: Compiled and computed from the survey data.
5.5 Economics of cutting and marketing reeds From the field study it has been observed that reed plants are grown in lake Burullus in an intensive way, the matter that adversely affects fish productivity. Therefore, the
37
421
inhabitants of this area practice pasturing their animals on reed in the first stages of it growth. When the reeds reached full maturity, it will be cut and sold at a market price of about L.E. 0.20 – 0.60 per package. Reed plants are used for crop protection against wind and for fishing nets for bird catching. Net return of cutting reeds activities has been estimated as shown in Table (6). It indicates that per capital net return amounted L.E. 127 in one season. So in an average about one Egyptian pound a day. It is apparent that this activities economically infeasible. But if we take into consideration its importance as animal fodder, over the years, reed could be refined as a product if used as animal fodder on one hand and on the other hand reed cutting has very positive effects for the fish productivity, net returns will be higher more than cutting reed activity which is relatively higher than its financial output.
Table 13: Net return of cutting reeds in lake Burullus in 1999.
Item
L.E.
Gross return (L.E. / Season)
101,190
Total return (L.E. / Season)
18,000
Net return (L.E. / Season)
83,190
Net return per family
831.90
Per capita Net return
127*
*It has been estimated on the following bases: Number of observations = 100, Period of time cutting reeds =120 days/year and Average family size = 7 persons. (Source: data compiled and computed from the survey).
5.6 Economics of bird catching Although bird catching is prohibited within the boarders of the BURULLUS PROTECTED AREA, this activity is considered one of the most important sources and
38
this especially in autumn. Net return on bird catching has been estimated as shown in Table (15). From this table it can be concludes that net return per bird pf Quails is relatively low in comparison with El-Ghor and El-Hamrawy, L.E. 1.91 versus L.E. 9.4. The matter, which can be attributed to the relatively greatest number of Quails daily, catches during the season and to the least price per bird. It is estimating per capita net return per day; it has been revealed that quail catching proved to be more profitable than gained from other birds. Per capita net return gained from bird catching amounted L.E. 17-31 per day. Table 14: Net return on bird catching in lake Burullus 1999.
Item Number of birds caught Gross return (L.E. / Season)* Total coasts (L.E. / Season) Net return (L.E. / Season) Net return per Bird (L.E.) Net return per family (L.E./day) Per capita net return (L.E./day)
Quail
El-Ghor
El-Hamrawy
132,110
23,045
21,175
272,195
230,450
211,750
714,395
20,055
13,910
12,788
46,753
252,140
216,540
198,962
667,642
1.91
9.4
9.4
45.8
39.4
36.2
121.4
6.5
5.6
5.2
17.3
Source:compiled and computed from the survey *It is amounted to about 55 days in autumn.
39
Total
6. Survey
6.1 Methodology Two approaches were undertaken the first was the group discussion and the second was data collection by means of questionnaire. The population around and in Burullus lagoon are numerous with conflicting interests and more than one occupation. The population concentrations in and around the lake were in 41 villages and single farmsteads. To achieve the research objectives, two approaches have been applied. The first approach was the group discussion with the key persons or local leaders, and with participation of various persons representing the different economic activities and interest groups in the village. The first approach was undertaken at the beginning of October 2000 in fourteen villages. Basic and essential social economic and demographic data were collected from the attendants. Although many subjects were discussed and registered, and various different problems were mentioned, some times far from the survey goals, but it was very characteristic for most of the group discussions. The majority of the attendants were Fishermen, Farmers, Fish Merchants and Fish Brokers. Theses Interviews were undertaken in fourteen villages. These villages are El bourg, Souk Eltalat, El Kom Lahmar, El Shorafa, Matrowa, Elmaksabah, Hanafi Elkobra, Shihab Eldin, Elbanaien Elsharkia, Elaaqula, Abousalah and Imad. The results of these discussions served as a pre test and formed the basis for setting up the questionnaire. The second approach was collecting data by means of 100 questionnaires. This was carried out for two weeks, beginning October the 14th. in the same fourteen villages selected before, in and around the lake. This approach depends on personal interviews where a questionnaire has been designed to cover all the socioeconomic characteristics of the inhabitants. So a stratified random sample of individuals has
40
been selected from the communities around the lake, to represent the diverse geographical location and economic activities in and around the lake area. From the data collected, the following results have been concluded.
6.2 Results of the Survey
6.2.1 Educational status One of the important indications was that 47 % of the samples selected were illiterate, around 42% could read and write and 8% had almost a high school level (vocational school). None of the respondents had higher education. But the educational status of the family members of the respondents, the rate of illiteracy was less than their Parents. 31% of them had four years of school education, 28% had up to six years of school education and 20% had twelve years of school education. Only 5% had no school education at all and the rest of 16% could read and write. If we consider the relative old age of the respondents (52% over 55 years old) and only (5% were from 25 - 35 years old) and (43% were from 36 – 55 years old). The average family size is six to eight members (51%). And (17%) had a family of nine persons. The interaction of the family size and the affinity of family members towards education are significant for improving human awareness in these societies, which could promote the environmental consciousness. From the field study, it has been noticed that fishing, livestock, bird catching, cultivation in addition to cutting and marketing reeds are considered the main common activities in the BURULLUS PROTECTED AREA. In applying some economic indicators, the following results can be concluded:
41
6.2.2 Fishing Activities Fishing is considered the main activity in the Burullus Protected Area. The economic evaluation of fishing depends on two data resources. The secondary and primary data selected and collected about the fishermen population. Results of economic evaluation will be discussed in following parts.
6.2.2.1 Number of sons practicing fishing In asking the fishermen who have sons working (practicing) fishing, is has been revealed that about 54.2 % of them have one son, 37.3 % have two sons and 8 % have three and more sons working in fishing. These results indicated that sons of some fishermen gave up fishing, the matter that may be attributed to their tendency to education and working in governmental occupations because of the low fish production of Lake Burullus.
6.2.2.2 Ownership of fishing boats From the field study it has been revealed that 90 % of the respondents posses a fishing boat, but only 10 % are not the owner. Concerning the types of owned fishing boats; it has been observed that 50 % of them posses Floaka, 26,7 % posses Sanbouk and 23.3 % poses sail boats. It is apparent that one half of respondents use Floaka for fishing. In asking them about for the reason for Floaka use, they stated that it can be easily used in the lake, it is cheap and the boat need less labor force. The same reasons have been mentioned to the use of Sanbouk, but this boat is relatively smaller than a Floaka. In regard to the sailboat use, they stated that this type observes a lot of family labors (7-8 persons) and its fish productivity is therefore higher than that
42
from the other types. Also, they stated that mechanical fishing boat is not available in the lake. 6.2.2.3 Number of employees on fishing boats It has been revealed that 43.3 % of respondents stated that only one employee is working on Sanbouk, 34.5 % of them stated that 2-3 employee on Floaka, and 22.2 % stated that 7-8 employees are working on a sailboat.
6.2.2.4 Average wage of the employees It has been observed from the filed study that the average wage varies according to the fishing area and type of fishing boat. Average wages for employees on sailboats equals three times as much that for labor on Floaka and Sanbouk, indicates that 62.2% of the employees on fishing boast earn daily salaries between L.E. 5-15, 17.8 % earn less than L.E. 5, 11.1 earn about L.E. 25 or more, 3.8% of them earn L.E. 15 –25. Based on the preceding results, it can be concluded that the average wage of fishing laborer is sufficient to satisfy the need moreover the quantity of fish given by the owner of the boat.
6.2.2.5 Number of fishing days in a week The results indicates that about 61% of the respondents practice fishing 5-6 days per week, 28.9 % (3-4 days) and about 10% of them practice fishing along the days of the week. In asking the fishermen about the period of preventing fishing, they stated that rainy, windy, hot and cloudy days are considered the most important obstacles for fishing. Concerning the bodies in charge of organizing fishing in the lake, the vast majority of
43
respondents stated that these bodies are water area police and GAFRD in addition to the role of fishermen Cooperatives.
6.2.2.6 Presence of fish farms Kafr El-Sheick Governorate is famous for fish farms, which contribute a considerable share of the fish production of Governorates in the whole country. From the field study, it has been found that only 17 % of the fishermen stated that there are fish farms in the BURULLUS PROTECTED AREA. The matter, which confirms that most of these farms are outside the boarders of the Protectorate. The fishermen sated that these farms adversely affect the fish production of the lake, because their owners depend on fishing young fish from the inlets. In asking the respondents about the advantages of fish farms, the following answers in their relative frequency have been given: -
The greater net return of these farms and low price of young fish fires stolen from the inlets (100%)
-
The higher economic value of fish produced in these farms beside their higher productivity (94 %)
-
Diversity of the fish varieties cultivated in these farms (Spares duranta and Mullet etc.) in a relative of about (88 %)
-
Low cost of feeding fish in these farms where manure are used for feeding (82.3%)
-
Fish cultivation is convenient (76.5%)
-
It is not a risky activity in comparison with fishing activities in the lake (52.9 %)
-
Stability of income earned from fish farms due top the limited degree of risk (41.2%)
Therefore fish cultivation should be motivated on construction that these farms must be established outside the boarders of the BURULLUS PROTECTED AREA and must be depend on artificial hatcheries as a source for young fish spawn.
44
In relation to the disadvantages of fish farms the following responses have been stated: -
Fish farms cause pollution to the lake water through draining their polluted water into the lake (100%)
-
Fish farms need a great amount of employees especially for guarding ( 76.5%)
-
The expensive feeding in case of applying dry fodder (52.9%)
-
These farms motivate the fishermen to practice illegal fishing of fish spawn from the inlets, where fishing net of these spawn is sold at a price of about L.E. 75-100. Consequently, this activity is profitable but it causes harmful effects on the lake fish population (47.1%)
-
The absence of effective implementation of currently existing legislation to stop the illegal practices of fish farms owners (33.3%). Moreover the fishermen claim that most of the fish farms owners are policemen and judges who are, from their point of view, over the law.
6.2.2.7 Membership in fishing cooperatives In asking the respondents about their membership in fishermen cooperatives, indicated that 79% of them are a member and 21% are not-members. The cooperative members stated that fishermen cooperative renders some services to them, these services are: -
Rendering fishing requirements on credit.
-
Issuing licenses for fishermen and boats
-
Solving problems of fishermen with the local authorities.
-
Collecting fees from their fishermen
The members state that these services are insufficient. In asking them about their problems in dealing with their cooperative, they stated the following: -
Limited capital of cooperative, the matter that adversely affects its performance of socioeconomic services (82%)
-
No loans have been rendered to members in disablement and illness conditions (77%)
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-
Neglecting health services (64%)
-
Inability of the cooperative to protect them (56%)
-
Random estimations of taxes without any cooperative role in that concern (32%)
-
Complicated managerial producers (27%)
-
The cooperative services are in favor of board of directors at the expense of member affairs (25%)
-
Collection of fees from fishermen to renew fishing licenses each year without any added benefit.
-
Fishing requirements are sold to members in a relatively higher prices (18%)
-
The fishermen breasts lost his supremacy and role in organizing fishing and protecting fishermen (16%)
-
Absence of permanent sites of cooperatives in which members can discuss their problems with board of directories (13%)
-
Negative attitudes of board of director towards members (11%)
In asking the members about their proposed solutions to the proceeding problems that stated the following: -
Increasing the capital of cooperatives trough raising value of membership shares and specifying a share of the governmental investments to cooperatives in order to develop their performance (78% of the respondents).
-
Emphasizing the health insurance for fishermen families (75%)
-
Expanding the base of cooperatives services to include medical (health), social, cultural and marketing services to increase their benefits on the one hand and on the other hand to be sure of loyalty (63%)
-
Cooperatives should compensate their members in emergencies to reduce the harmful effects of usual and unusual risks (56%)
-
Implementation of cooperatives role in solving problems of members and protecting them (55%)
-
Rendering the fishing requirements in the best quality and cheapest price to members on credit (47%)
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-
Cooperatives should be in charge of banning fishing young fish spawn close to inlets (43%)
-
Simplifying the procedure of licenses and reducing the fees required (32%)
-
Reorganizing fishermen cooperatives on the basis cooperative principles, for instance democratic control and services at cost to improve their role in the socioeconomic development.
6.2.2.8 Problems facing Fishing Acknowledging the result that fishing is the common activity of the protected area population, determination of their problems and urgent solutions should be considered to confess them with significance of requirements of biodiversity conservation and protection measures. In asking the respondents about problems facing them these can be decently ordered as followed: -
The profession risk, for instance illness and early old age, where they practice fishing under hard climatic conditions (85%)
-
-Neglecting of clearing the inlet and the closed Brimball Canal led to the reed growth in the lake and consequently the decrease of its productivity (83%)
-
-The relatively low and limited daily income of fishing (80%)
-
-Pollution of lake water due to the sanitary and agricultural drainage (78%),due to the above mentioned causes (73%)
-
-Low productivity of fish can be attributed to the phenomenon of stealing the fish spawn and selling it to the fish farm owners at dramatic price yearling a massive for these who are practicing that illegal behavior (68%)
-
-Overcharging the taxes that are randomly estimated, where taxation are not based on real data about the fish production (67%)
-
-Overrule of water areas police on fishermen through the unequipped table penalties as they claimed (59%)
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-
-Spread of reeds, rats and mosquitoes which cause infection to the whole population (47%)
-
-Absence of disablement pension and health insurance for fishermen who earn they living day by day (43%)
-
The monopolistic power of mechanist under the existing marketing channels with the absence of the cooperative role in marketing fish (41%)
-
The retirement pension (L.E. 75) is too low to satisfy their needs (35%)
-
Absence of the governmental authority, which seeks to solve their problems (31%)
-
Inability of fishermen cooperatives to perform their responsibilities, the matter which weakens the cohesiveness between member and their cooperatives (21%)
No doubt that the existing role of cooperatives in confined to supply members with some fishing requirements and to renew licenses. Moreover some members stated that prices of these requirements are very high. Also, some fishermen occupy some areas of the lake. Finally the fishermen expressed their inability to practice any other profession.
6.2.2.9 The proposed solutions of fishing problems In asking the fishermen about their opinions to solve the problems they stated the following proposals: -
Clearing inlet and opening Brimbal Canal to increase the fish production of the lake (33%)
-
Expanding the health insurance umbrella to cover fishermen (78%)
-
Stopping sanitary and agricultural drainage into the lake, where pollution of Lake Water adversely affected the fish productivity and human health (65%) it should be mentioned those there eight drains entering the Burullus Lake.
-
Banning illegal fishing spawn from inlet to increase fish production of the lake and consequently the fishermen income (61%)
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-
Removing reeds and other water plants hindering fishing in the lake (57%) In discussing this problem with the authorities responsible for the lake, they stated that fishermen themselves are in charge of these problems where each one makes a fence of reeds around his courtyard. Then reed roots will be grown and reproduced.
-
Reconsidering the taxation system that should be based on the actual fish production, where they stated that under the existing lower productivity taxes seem to be in equitable (54%)
-
Necessity of insurance services on fishermen against the profession risks (47%)
-
Supplying fishermen with loans specially in emergencies and crisis (43%)
-
The role of water area police should be concentrated on banning illegal fishing with reference to fishing spawn and fishing gears (39%)
-
Reducing retirement age of fishermen to 60 years instead of 65 year (35%)
-
Raising the retirement pension (29%)
-
Establishment of police center at the opening of the inlet under the bridge of international coastal way to stop stealing the spawn (31%)
-
Improving the role of fishermen cooperatives through supporting their financial status (27%)
Moreover some other proposals have been presented as follows: -
Creating alternative labor chances for fishermen especially in the period of banning fishing
-
Fishermen cooperatives should help their members in marketing their production
-
Raising the wages of fishermen employees on boats
-
Banning fishing in the lake for at least two month every year to foster the growth and reproduction of fish
-
Opening a new inlet at the west of the old inlet (10 km), to feed the lake with seawater.
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7 Land Use activities The land use and domestication of plants and animals started in the delta about 7,000 years ago. The history of land use in the delta should be always considered in a close association with the history of irrigation. Many forms of land use, including construction, opencast mining, agriculture, and forestry, involve disturbing or removing vegetation cover are existing. When this disturbance generates further environmental and economic problems, the land may reasonably be considered misused In most countries, increasing pressure to use land for economic development is leading to conflict. Farmland, wetlands or other land close to cities may be sought by developers to convert into suburbs, roads, or tourism centers. Developing countries in particular are frequently faced with a dilemma. Their need for money leads them to liquidate their forests and modify their savannas to obtain cash crops for export, yet they must conserve these same ecosystems to guarantee resources for the future. The diversity of human values both between and within societies guarantees that issues of land use will never be free from conflict. In most instances, the clash occurs between those who will be directly, and often adversely, affected by proposed developments and those who stand to gain economically from them. Since the amount of land is effectively finite, the rapidly growing global population ensures that competition for land must increase. Only a revolution in attitudes concerning the uses of land, and the long-term consequences of those uses, will optimize benefits for the greatest number of the vegetation inhabitants, including human’s beings. In accordance with the standard land use system implemented by the World Land Use Commission (WLUC) In Egypt several land use categories can be identified, especially in the delta. The different land use types can be summarized as the following:
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a) The settlements and the non-agricultural territories, this includes public land and urban areas like the land along the coastal sandbar and the communities of the two main towns Burge El-Burullus and Baltim. b) Horticulture (that covers about 1.1 % of the total crops area in the deltas) but this area is widely spread and diffused inside the BURULLUS PROTECTED AREA. c) Tree crops represented mainly by groves of palm trees. These groves are wide spread along the delta. There are mainly groves of palm trees along the eastern shore of the lake between Burge El-Burullus and Baltim, which are standing close to the lake. d) Permanent cultivated cropland is the dominant land use type, in major parts of the delta, especially along the southern and southwestern boarder of the BURULLUS PROTECTED AREA. The crops are predominantly irrigated by Nile water. There are seasonal or yearly agricultural vegetation, e.g. the cotton bush is planted every year new. “The Barari land, swamps and marches, around the lakes in the north delta, including some 631,500 ha, is unproductive, but are potential cropland, under reclamation. The northern tip of the delta is the sand dunes belt of grazing, fish farms and recently reclaimed areas.” 6
8 Land Use Planning The aim of land use planning yields to create the preconditions to achieve a sustainable, environmentally, socially desirable and economically appropriate land use. Such requirements are best met by a decentralized approach. Consequently the key principals of decentralized land use planning “gestion de terroirs” are more likely suitable on local context, in a flexible and transparent participated approach. Present day sources of conflicts in land use planning include traditional rights of local communities and the need of expanding urban and industrial centers. Many divergences 6
Quotation from Al-Sodany:10:1998.
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developed out of the need for extension or intensification of the agricultural land use versus the biodiversity as well as the value of non-polluted “natural” landscapes. People’s needs will drive the planning process. Local farmers and other land users like the fishermen in Lake Burullus whose existence is depend on the lake must accept the need for a change in the land use, if they want to live with good results. Land use planning must be seen as a positive activity to gain sustainable environment protection measurements. The already mentioned land use types in the delta influence the objectives of a further land use planning but it also has to take into account the social and political culture that the inhabitants of this region follow. The continuous reduction of the surface of Lake Burullus and its adjacent reed swamps and marshlands as a result of the substantial land reclamation poses the most serious threat to the wetland ecosystem. The growing eutrophication supported by the excess fertilizers and pesticides adds the danger of the shrinking area of the lake.
8.1 The planning System and the planning process in Egypt
The basic development for the Egyptian planning is the master plan. This document consists all the important data collected in a report and has additionally a map included. The local planning authorities produce these reports. There are four levels of planning procedure in Egypt:
a) The national level (national plans) b) Regional level (Regional plans) c) Local level (local plans)
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d) And the level of development control The first two can be characterized as strategic and the local levels as well as the development control are concerned about the implementations. In the last decades many (about 4000) villages have been developed without a concrete physical planning process. According to the lack in physical planning the Egyptian Government tries to intensify the attendance to the development processes. The establishment of the Organization for Reconstruction and Development of Egyptian Villages (ORDEV) and the law 3/1982 for physical planning demonstrate the change in the acknowledgement of the government. To change and improve the Egyptian Villages the law 3/1982 distinguishes between master and detailed plans In the first two levels of planning the master plan is prepared and later by the local authorities in detail work out. The General Organization for Physical Planning (GOPP) is responsible for the setting of the national physical planning policy and work together with the Ministry of Housing and urban communities. Additionally the GOPP assists the local units with the detailed preparation and implementation of their master plans. The principal organization in charge in the local level is the Governorate Physical Planning Committee (GPPC), which was established by a government’s degree. They receive the master plans from the GOPP and include local officials, local experts (professionals e.g. Professors from local Universities), the popular council, members at the governorates level and selected citizen from the city or village, into the decision making process. This system for physical planning is officially work out, but in many cases the are no veto rights for the popular council or for the participants from the communities (Villages or cities). Still is the detailed physical planning entirely left to the local administration. The involvement of all land users in planning is essential. Ultimately they have to put the
53
plan into effect and must therefore believe in its potential benefits as well as in the fairness of the planning process. Without the support of local leaders, a plan is not likely to succeed. Achieving effective public participation in the planning process is one of the main goals. Consequently is the detailed physical planning an instrument for social, economic, and urban development at the local level, the extension of the capacity of local development competence will be a major role in the process of a subsidiary local development. Through the primary purposes of management will determine the category to which an area is assigned, management plans will often contain management zones for a variety of purposes, which take account of local conditions. However, in order to establish the appropriate category, a least three –quarters and preferably more than the area must be managed for a primary purpose, and the management of the remaining area must not be in conflict with the primary purpose. The BURULLUS PROTECTED AREA is not an isolated unit. Ecologically, economically, politically and culturally, they are linked to the area around them. For that reason, the planning and management must be incorporated within regional planning and supported by the policies adopted for wider area. For the purpose of the application of the categories system, however, where one area is used to buffer or surround another, both their categories should be separately identified.
8.2 Zoning and Buffer Zones – Recommend Land Use Structure for the Protectorate
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Zoning is increasingly considered as an essential management tool, because it allows the fine-tuning of regulations to meet the particular requirements of the various types of areas included in the reserve. In addition, the protected area concept includes areas where some land uses may be kept. Therefore zoning becomes necessary to separate these zones from those in which stricter rules apply. As a result, protected areas no longer appear as massive entities where all land was subject to the same prohibitions or restrictions, but rather are mixtures of individual smaller protected area each with a different legal regime. Theses regimes range from strict nature reserves or wilderness areas (Zone A), where almost all human activities should be prohibited, to a buffer zone (Zone B) where only certain activities should be allowed by getting controlled. a) Zone A is a strict nature reserve with only exceptional and highly regulated human use. This area supposed to be closed for any economic activities as well as visitors and should remain for the migrating birds and for selected scientific use. b) Zone B should have no economic activities, except organized tourism or other forms of visiting the area, for example school trips. The land use needs to be compatible with the maintenance and preservation of wetland conditions. It is suggested to create the first Buffer zone on the island, because they are not inhabited and the swamps and wetland with reeds on their shore are an important Bird breeding and resting area. Further proceeding should be a slow increase of the protected area in further coordination with the local landowners and especially the fishermen and their families. The detailed separation of the zones in the land use map remained rough, due to the shortage of time. It shows some suggestions only given through local decision-makers and the experts. Additionally to the zoning system it is recommended to star the project by a pilot area. The further propositions are accomplished in the map for “LAND USE AND LAND USE PLANNING ON THE BURULLUS PROTECTED AREA”.
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The map shows the current significance of natural environmental settings and points out the main local development activities. Additionally it shows the recommended zoning with the special Pilot Area and concludes first local differences. The Pilot area is supposed to comprise a visitor center, a guesthouse for scientists and natural Vegetation where the habits of wildlife can easily be observed. The area located between the two different landscapes with the coastal Sandbar to the north and the mainly saline par of Lake Burullus in the south. Further it close to the main local settlement so e.g. school classes are able to visit the location. The location in suggested in an open area there are currently no inhabitants nor other land users who occupy the tertiary on the northern shore of the lake, an immediate a fast further detailed Analysis of the local circumstances would be necessary. Because of the high eutrophication of the lake and the fact that the current inlet is sometimes closed because of sand movements (continues dredging is needed to keep the inlet open to the Mediterranean sea) an additionally Inlet is recommended in the handout. Furthermore the construction of pears on the existing inlet is important to maintain an adequate low salinity level in the lake. The Mubarak National Project for Youth (MNPY) under the slogan “working for a piece of land” lies on the western boarder of the Protectorate. The Agricultural development on 8.000 Fed., 25 Feddan per family unfortunately without environmental obligations this project will lead to more sweet water inflow into the lake. The two recreation Project MNPY and the 25.000 Feddan on the northern Sandbar that are proposed for Tourism development will change the land use in the Northwest of the BURULLUS PROTECTED AREA fundamentally. The use of land for recreation poses many challenges. In this built-up area, the competition for land for buildings and transportation is intense rising, and land values are high as a result (even to high trough land speculations). Land for recreation rarely generates the same income for its owners as agricultural plots. Nevertheless, the provision of amenities for recreation is central to modern urban planning.
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9. Recommendations and Perspectives The BURULLUS PROTECTED AREA is currently used by several groups of people. The activities of these local actors, so as fishermen, farmers, pastoralists, military personal, hunters and visitors (like Egyptians and foreign ornithologists) are mainly incompatible with the wildlife conservation. The most significant primary impacts related to the projects locations are: a) The loss of natural habitats and increased pressure on remaining wild animals and wetlands. The desert reclamation scheme will lead to the loss of important habitats for flora and fauna and by the same time there will be a negative impact on populations of flora and fauna elements, which have a limited distribution range in the region. b) Displacement of existing natural population and of land use activities. A supplementary participation of local people in conservation efforts is needed. To achieve this goal the participation must be more than encouraging local people to sell their labor in return for food, cash or materials. The affected should make effort to build up local skills, interests and capacity. To meet an appropriate process for participation and to achieve the sustainability and biodiversity goals the following recommendations should be taken into consideration. A further detailed management plan that investigates the human and wildlife land use of the reserve over a long period should be prepared. It is essential for the preparation of the plan that it includes the interests of governmental as well as other national agencies so as Kafr El-Sheikh Government, Egyptian Wildlife Service, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of public works, Ministry of Tourism, General Authority for Fish Resources Development and the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency. Furthermore the local fishing cooperatives operating in the Lake Burullus, the As we had before the administrative problems interests of governmental as well as the other national organizations. so as Kafr El-Sheikh
57
Governorate, Egyptian Wildlife Service, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, . Furthermore the local fishing cooperatives operating in the Lake Burullus, all the mentioned agencies should either form a consulting council where all these agencies are represented under the presidency of the EEAA, or all these agencies should be reduced to the EEAA as the only agency in control of the BURULLUS PROTECTED AREA. There is a lack of coordination between the various agencies and one of results of this malfunction was the Mubarak National Project for Youth (MNPY), which lies on the western boarder of the Protectorate. Which aims the Agricultural development on 8.000 Feddan, 25 Feddan per family, although it was proven that agriculture around the lake did not prove being productive. The project was implemented, unfortunately without environmental feasibility studies this project will lead to more sweet water inflow and polluted water into the lake. Villages around the BURULLUS PROTECTED AREA and the inhabitants living permanent inside the reserve should be incorporated in this process. The real threats to the reserve originate far away from the area’s boundaries. The activities around the borders are reflecting this pressure. It should be noted that developing activities, trying to diminish pressure on the protected area, has to be coupled to regional and national development programs. This means that good cooperation between conservation organizations, development agencies and governmental institutes are necessary. The data collected will support the proposed conservation measures and they indicate that the management plan should consider the conservation plan for the entire BURULLUS PROTECTED AREA. It has been noticed that villagers of El-Burge and other communities (e.g. Baltim) on the eastern and southern shore of the lake are collecting huge piles of reed stems to use them - after they have been dried in the sun - to weave mats for selling. The growing of reeds
58
provides not only a new breeding area for the local birds but also a new resource of income for the inhabitants.7 This has developed out of the changing ecological system. Since these reeds are the habitat for a large number of nesting birds and the spawning territories of fish, their cutting is leading to a serious implication for these species. Such a massive scale will lead to a critical circumstance for the fauna of the lake and it is not compatible with the goal to protect local and migrating birds, fish resources and the wetland regions. The establishment of a functional sustainable BURULLUS
PROTECTED AREA
where the
local decision-makers and the local land users are totally fulfilling the environmental assessments is in the current stadium of development very difficult. Little steps are been taken into the direction of public awareness and towards the understanding of the protection of natural habitats. But still too many inhabitants depend on the lakes resources e.g. the hunting of Simon birds in the east of El Burge. Regarding to the demographic development and the future public pressure on the resources of Lake Burullus a deeper and intensive participatory approach is necessary. Now that the current and main land use problems are clear a Master plan is needed to be developed in very close cooperation with the local authorities, local inhabitants and the project participants and consultants. It is essential that this plan includes long term sustainable goal that are reachable and not far beyond. The Lake is nowadays in a good condition for the current use, but in the near future the rising amount of pesticide and fertilizers, that are entering the lake through the canal, will extent the level of eutrophication. The water becomes polluted and the fish population will not be able to survive (lack of oxygen). So unfortunately it is indispensable to predict this now growing and dangerous circumstance and attempt to reach in the next year a planning process that incorporates all local actors and technical requirements.
7
“These mats are used in thatching roof tops of small houses of limestone bricks, and as wind breakers for fencing plantations of tomatoes and other vegetable on the sand bar separating the lake from the sea. Broken reed steams are also used for mulching the soil in the newly reclaimed land around the Lake.” (ElGazzar, 1998, 107)
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For the needs of the current land users e.g. Fishermen and agriculturist, there should be a plan for compensation and integration in the short-term process. And in the long term it is important to create other employment opportunities. If this will not be the case inhabitants will continue using the resources of the lake and in some situations e.g. inhabitants could leave the Region because of the polluted lake or national protection laws in the area and rise demographic pressure in other rural or urban districts. Therefore a new attraction and productive industry e.g. cotton or a fish factory that keeps the people in the area and draws them to change their way of living is desirable. This process can only be changed over Generations and here lies the precarious development. For the natural Vegetation and for the local and migrating birds it could be to not on time. For these reasons the local needs are the most essential to be satisfied too maintain a sustainable protection for the environment. These changes could start by the pilot area. It should create a magnetic pole for local communities, schools, universities, and other person or family that can be interested in animal wildlife. This is one of the main reasons for the pilot area. With an open visitor center, which should be build close to the city. Burge El-Burullus, the interest and the environmental awareness could be increased. Furthermore to create more attention and interest the inhabitants should be directly involved in the planning and constructing of the pilot area. The participation of them is very important and will change their attitudes and opens a new way of thinking, we as planners should be the participants on their project. It is important that they identify themselves in the planning and implementing process. When the local inhabitants feel part of development and progression than the EEAA can be sure that the protection of the remaining wetlands, and of the local fauna and flora, as well as the migrating bird is guaranteed. Impact of the new highway: The section of the new international highway between Damietta and Rosetta has been recently completed. It runs along the northern shore of the lake, on the sand bar separating it from the sea. It is already attracting heavy traffic to the area and causing
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a great deal of disturbance to the avifauna of Burullus. Nuclei of new human settlements, service stations and small farms are beginning to emerge on both sides of the road. The present and future impacts of this unplanned development on the physical environment of Burullus are yet to be properly assessed. Problems: There are inhomogeneous population groups in and around the Lake with conflicting interests through their numerous economic activities and different goals. The main emphasis economically is fish production where the population majority declared as their income source. Therefore fishing activities must have the priority in developing the population standards because this is the first step for sustainability and knowing that the population Pressure comes from the east, where the population concentration Is especially in Baltim district where you find the highest population density in the five districts around the lake, it is even higher than the Governorate average. Therefore it is wise to devote our efforts towards the East of the lake. We address the major problems that were reached through the survey. •
7000 Feddans of the lagoon were dried in Khoushaa, and transformed into agricultural area.
•
There was another inlet in Meaddia, which was closed by some of fish farm owners with strong lobby and high authority baking.
•
Baltim city council drains sewage into the lagoon.
•
The moving Sand dunes on the sandbar between the Lagoon and the Mediterranean, endangers the villages and population concentrations even the International Coast –highway. Always when there are strong wind gales and sand storms especially in winter, the sand moves and covers these areas, which makes these areas unsuitable for economic activities. The sand dunes also cover some ancient archaeological sites. These historical and cultural monuments are waiting to be excavated. *
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☼The very first complaints of the Fishermen were the inlets of the lake to the Mediterranean. The only remaining Burullus inlet near Burg El-burullus, has not been dredged since 1978. The Fisheries remained agreeable up till 1988 and then alarming fall the lagoon fish yields was the result. The increasingly deteriorating water quality of the Lagoon and the altered Lagoon salinity levels damaged the fish-habitat and nursery, especially for high quality fish. ☼ The Baltim City council sewage transport cars drop the swage in the lake. Also all the villages neighboring the Lake drop all kinds of agricultural waste and household sewage in the Lake. These circumstances promoted the Phragmites growth. Substantial volumes of water laden with fertilizer and pesticide runoff enter the lagoon's southern side through a number of drainage channels. This has led to rapid eutrophication. The drainage of toxic waste into the lagoon eradicated the fish stocks and tainted the lagoons water, even some of the Fishermen suffered from skin diseases. ☼ Hosha is a method of fish catching (though mainly illegal) is widely practiced in Burullus. Dykes are constructed out into the lagoon from shallow vegetated lagoon shore usually constructed from lagoon bottom silts reinforced with reeds and dead vegetation. Fish swim into the gaps in the dykes and are harvested after the gaps are closed and the water pumped out. ☼ 4600 Feddans of the southern part of the lake were handed over to the Ministry of interior, and was distributed among the leading figures of the Ministry. This part of the lake was transformed mainly into Fish Farms. After wards Fish farms proliferated on the southern shore of the lake. Most of these Farms obtain their recently hatched fish from illegal operating gangs who capture the small fishes directly from the only existing Inlet to provide these Farms.
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☼ One of the major problems confronting the Fishermen since 1995, after the proliferation of Fish farms on the south shores of the lagoon, was the organized gang raids looting fish spawn in front of the only inlet to the lagoon. These Gangs then sell the fish spawn to the Fish farm owners. Most of these owners are VIPs and there were many complaints and even arrests of these gangs looting the fish spawn but they were released with no conviction due to strong manipulation and pressure of the fish farm owners. They added further that this trade is more profitable than drug trafficking. They related the deterioration of the fish stocks in the lake to these illegal practices Recommendations: Another important point is the physical presence and other facilities like offices and labors and lecture rooms of the Protectorate’s administration agency on the spot in the BURULLUS PROTECTED AREA (The same as in Zaranik protectorate) The next step that should be taken into consideration The creation of a task force with the legal jurisdiction (Rangers) directed by EEAA and no other Ministries such as Defense or Interior should control this task force, because the employees of both ministries mentioned are ignorant, illiterate and environmentally hostile. Comprehensive studies about Burullus are very scarce, therefore studies should be undertaken about the feasibility of processing reeds, establishment of fish processing, fishing equipment, boats and ice producing factories. Once again water salinity standard and the inefficiency of one inlet between the sea and the lake, has strong emphasis on the fish production, specially the high quality fish kinds. Therefore another inlet or more should be dug, to control the salinity of standard of the lake. More over the water inflow of the agricultural drainage canals into the lake should be examined regularly to control polluted water in flow into the lake.
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10 References AL-SODANY, Yassin Mohamed: Vegetation Analysis if the Canals, Drains and Lakes of the Northern Part of Nile Delta. Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 1998. “Description of Egypt by Information”, Year Book , November 1997. “Description of Egypt by Information”, Year Book , November 1999. EL-GAZZAR, A.: Wetlands of the Mediterranean Coast of Egypt. Department of Biological and Geological Siences Faculty of Education at El-Arish, North Sinai, ElArish, March, 2000. HAMSA, Waleed: The Phenomenology of the Mediterranean Egyptian Coastal Area. Mediterranean Forecasting System Pilot Project, ECOC (Ecosystem Model Validation and Hindcasting) Participant (n. 28, UALEX), Alexandria University, Alexandria, 1999. JONES, Tim: A Directory of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar, 1993), 4th edition, Volume I: Africa, The Ramsar Library, File 2: Algeria to Guinea, Gland, Switzerland, 1998. LOTFY, Morad/RASHED, Mohammed and FRIHY, Omran: Sediment Drift pattern in the vicinity of Lake Burullus Mediterranean Sea communication outlet; realtionship to channel siltation. Coastal Research Institute, Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 1995. (http://www.imbc.gr/biblio_serv/medcst/X0125_088.html) “Regional Project for Population Activities”, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Central Statistical Administration, CAPMAS, December 1994. “Population and their Main Activities”, CAPMAS, December 1994. REID, Turid and ROWNTREE, John: The Northern Nile Delta Lakes and their Fisheries. Agricultural Development Systems Project ARE Ministry of Agriculture – University of California, Economics working paper No. 90, USAID, Cairo, September, 1982. REID, Turid/ROWNTREE, John/KHOLI, Osman and ABOU-AUF, Abbas: Fisheries Management in the Northern Nile Delta Lakes of Egypt; The Case of Hosha. Agricultural Development Systems Project ARE Ministry of Agriculture – University of California, Economics working paper No. 179, USAID, Cairo, July 1983.
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ROWNTREE, John/REID, Turid and ABOU-AUF, Abbas: Fish Yields in the Northern Nile Delta Lakes. Agricultural Development Systems Project ARE Ministry of Agriculture – University of California, Economics Working paper no. 155., USAID, Cairo, May, 1983. SHEHADEH, Ziad and FEIDI, Izzat: Aquaculture Development and Resource Limitations in Egypt. Fisheries Department Newsletter, Aquaculture Newsletter No. 14, Based on an unpublished FAO mission report, Cairo 1994. “Urbanization of Egyptian Deserts, Past Experience and Future Horizons”, Higher Council for Culture, Geographical Committee 1998 (Seminar on the 2.,3. of April in 1996), pages 381 – 412.
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