Cairo

Source: Al-Wafd newspaper

Dr. Ali Mohamed Al-Khouri

Egypt has a wealth of natural and artificial lakes. These bodies of water vary from fresh to salty, and collectively contribute about 12% of the country’s total fish production. Recognizing the potential of these lakes, the Egyptian government aims to increase fish production from 2.2 million tons in 2023 to 2.5 million tons by 2025 through strategic development and diversification of fish farming sources.

The untapped economic potential of Egyptian lakes is great. These lakes, rich in fish diversity, provide tremendous opportunities for establishing large-scale fish farming, production and export projects. Activating this sector would significantly boost local economies, generate new job opportunities, and ensure food security. In addition, the picturesque landscape surrounding several lakes, such as Al-Manzala and Burullus, offers vast tourism potential. By developing tourism infrastructure, such as building and improving facilities, and modernizing services, these lakes can attract nature lovers and tourists and support the growth of sustainable tourism.

From an agricultural perspective, the water of some lakes can be used to irrigate neighboring lands, especially in arid areas, thus increasing agricultural productivity and sustainability. Furthermore, the bottom sediments of these lakes contain valuable minerals such as salt and gypsum, and provide lucrative opportunities for mining projects that can further diversify local economies and strengthen industrial bases. The potential to develop renewable energy around these lakes also exists. By exploiting wind energy in the areas surrounding certain lakes, it is possible to comply with global sustainability goals, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, support the growth of the green energy sector, contribute to environmental sustainability and achieve economic benefits.

The tourism potential extends far beyond the enchanting landscape. The lakes are home to many rare species of animals and plants, making them ideal for eco-tourism and natural sightseeing. Water sports, including canoeing, surfing and diving, can also be promoted in suitable lakes, attracting sports tourism and promoting active lifestyles. In addition, some lakes have mineral-rich water with health benefits, which paves the way for medical resorts and wellness tourism. The cultural heritage surrounding many of these lakes provides a unique blend of natural and cultural tourism, which may enhance the overall tourism experience and provide a rich narrative for visitors.

Despite these promising opportunities, addressing some existing challenges can contribute to realizing the full potential of Egyptian lakes and transforming them into powerful engines of growth and development. Pollution, for example, remains an important problem, requiring comprehensive environmental regulations and national initiatives to restore and protect these ecosystems. Improving infrastructure, especially transportation networks, is an important element to facilitate access and support tourism and economic activities. Raising awareness about the potential of Egyptian lakes through educational campaigns and targeted marketing is necessary to attract investors and tourists from home and abroad.

It is necessary to develop a strategic development plan to harness the potential of the Egyptian lakes. This plan must include comprehensive feasibility studies for each lake to determine optimal exploitation methods and ensure sustainable development. It is important that this plan focuses on environmental protection and economic growth to encourage investments while preserving natural resources. Securing the necessary funding to develop infrastructure, such as roads, ports, and hospitality facilities, and training the workforce in new skills, are critical steps. Promoting Egyptian lakes as unique tourist destinations through national and international marketing campaigns can also significantly boost tourism and economic activities.

In general, investing in the development of Egyptian lakes would provide great development opportunities, but it requires policymakers to prioritize sustainable practices and comprehensive planning to transform these natural assets into significant national resources. But the biggest questions remain: Will Egypt be able to achieve the ideal balance between economic benefit from lakes and environmental preservation? Will future policies be able to manage the increasing environmental challenges and accelerating climate changes that may affect these vital natural resources?

These questions call for deep thinking and careful planning, as political decisions must adopt sustainable strategies that ensure maximum benefit from the Egyptian lakes without compromising the balance of the environment and natural resources. This balance is the key to ensuring that investment in Egyptian lakes has a positive, sustainable impact that extends to all segments of Egyptian society and preserves natural wealth for future generations.