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Ancient Egyptians paid great attention to preserve the water of the Nile clean from pollution, and it was deeply rooted in every Egyptian that he would not enter paradise if he polluted the Nile, as the water is the secret of people's life.
Egypt established the Environmental Affairs Authority to cope with the world orientation towards holding international conferences on the environmental preservation issue, among which was the Stockholm Conference on June 5, 1972. In 1982, the Environmental Affairs Agency, affiliated to the ministers' council, was established. The main task of the Agency was to draw up and apply the environmental policies.
In 1994, the Environment Protection Fund was established to encourage investments in environmental fields. In 1997, the Ministry of Environmental Affairs (MOEA) was created to monitor and eliminate sources of pollution; the MOEA is supported by specialized bodies and NGOs concerned with the environment.
A number of important laws and decrees related to the Egyptian environment were issued, salient of which are Law No 48/1982, known as the Nile Protection Law, and Law No 4/1994 that are considered to be the most important and comprehensive environmental laws in Egypt.
The Ministry of Environmental Affairs has implemented many programs that control pollution, salient of which are: Program of Combating Pollution, the National Program of Recycling Wastes, the Program of Environmental Protection and Nature Reserves Administration and the National Program of Combating Desertification.
The national network for monitoring air pollutants has been upgraded to include (54) stations. The first stage of the national program to transfer the governmental vehicles to use natural gas has been accomplished. Also, applying the program of car exhaust testing has been accomplished in 12 governorates representing 77% of licensed vehicles in the country.
In the field of Nile water and water resources protection, a national plan was prepared to improve the quality of the Nile water, which comprised 12 programes in cooperation with the concerned ministries, as well as continuing the national program for monitoring the quality of coastal water in 80 sites distributed along the Egyptian coasts. The industrial drainage of many establishments polluting the River Nile has been stopped.
Concerning the field of managing crises and natural disasters, 48 accidents of oil pollution and 19 various environment accidents have been dealt with. A national strategy has been prepared to get the cleanest production of the Egyptian industry and start to implement its own plan. Also, the accomplishment of turning 50 plants to produce bricks in the western area led to replace the used fuel from Mazot to natural gas, and the remaining plants are underway through the projects listed under the clean development mechanism.
The Environmental Achievements
 The environmental achievements have recorded a great success in different fields such as improving the quality of air, protecting the River Nile from pollution, and controlling the industrial pollution. Salient achievements are as follows:
Improving the Quality of Air:
- Start working on monitoring stations network to monitor air pollutants, through 54 stations all over the country.
- A program for requiring car exhaust testing as a prerequisite for issuing vehicle licenses was started. The second and third stages of the program has been accomplished in 12 governorates in 2006 which are Greater Cairo governorates, Alexandria, Daqahlia, Beni Sueif, Al Menya, Al Fayoum, Al Beheira, Qena, Sohag and the Red Sea. These represent 77% of the licensed vehicles in the country.
- Applying the car exhaust testing for 6430 cars in Greater Cairo.
- Lead foundries were transferred from Shobra Al Kheima to Al Safa in Qalyobia, where an area of 142 feddans was designed for establishing 99 industrial places, with a finance of LE 31.5 million.
- 105 governmental vehicles were transferred to use both solar and natural gas. The first stage of the program to substitute old taxis for modern ones using natural gas was implemented and 100 taxis were actually substituted with new ones. The second stage of the program aims to substitute 1000 taxis. Also, the program to transfer 4200 governmental vehicles was implemented in 4 stages where 1960 vehicles were transferred in the first stage, 804 vehicles were tested, and 696 others were transferred to use natural gas as well as 870 vehicles which are going to be transferred in the third stage of the program.
Environmental Monitoring Networks
A national network for monitoring noise in Greater
 Cairo governorates and the rest of the governorates is under implementation. A plan was put forward to evaluate the new towns to declare them as eco-friendly ones. The sources of the pollution were specified all over the country, such as foundries, bricks plants.. etc where they will be dealt with according to two plans. The first aims to limit their pollution and the second is a long-term plan which aims to transfer and develop these activities taking into consideration its kinds and geographical location. A sum of LE 214 million was allocated to transfer small and medium-size industries outside the inhabited areas in Cairo, Alexandria, Al Menya, Sohag, and Matrouh governorates. Clean Development Mechanism
As to implement its duties towards the case of the climate changes and Kyoto Protocol, the Egyptian government established The National Committee of Clean Development Mechanism in the Ministry of the Environmental Affairs. This resulted in 36 projects with a total cost of $ 1137 million.
In January 2007, the first Clean Development Mechanism Project was launched in Egypt to establish a unit for eliminating nitrate oxide exhaust gas from Abu Qeer Acid Plant for Fertilizers which is considered one of the biggest projects all over the world; it is financed by Norway, and its technology is offered by Germany.
The Green Belt and Trees Forest
- The Green Belt Project around Greater Cairo
It surrounds the ring road which is 100 km long. This green belt consists of 4 stages of half million trees and a total cost of LE 100 million. It contributes to reducing pollution in Greater Cairo as well as using the treated sanitary water in irrigation.
- The National Program for the Safe Usage of the Treated Sanitary Water in Planting Tree Forests
It is implemented in the areas close to the sanitary drainage station with desert in their back, in all governorates. The treated sanitary drainage water is a fundamental addition to water sources as it represents 2.4 million m3 annually. In 2007, the infrastructure for the program was completed.
Recycling the Solid Wastes:
To purify air from emissions of burning solid wastes, the following achievements were realized as follows:
- Lifting 14 million m3 of accumulated wastes
.
- Choosing 53 locations to establish healthy dumping sites in the governorates.
- Establishing 2 fertilizer plants using rice straw in Daqahlia, two plants in Menoufia and two in Al Sharkeya, as well as operating two for thermal gas using rice straw in Al Sharqeya and Daqahleya and extending gas for inhabited units in addition to distributing 700 compressors to youth.
- Extending the cooperation protocol with the Queen Service Company for collecting and compressing rice straw in Sharqeya.
The Ministry of Environment offered 344 compressors and many tractors. The Egyptian armed forces offered 95 tractors, 59 trailers, and 1200 trainees, in addition to the cost of transferring the straw.
Environmental Awareness and Slum Areas
Extraordinary efforts were exerted to raise the environmental awareness of citizens, in cooperation with media and some non-governmental organizations. In Addition, fruitful cooperation with the Integral Care Association resulted in the implementation of some joint environmental projects in the slum areas like environmental development in "Arab Al walda" area and "Almassara" in Helwan, as well as establishing 21 areas for the green corner in Mubarak public library branches all over the county.
 Nile Water Protection:
The following efforts were exerted to protect Nile water from pollution:
- Procedures have been taken to stop the polluting drainage of 91 establishments with total quantity drainage of 4.952 million m3 with the percentage of 99.64%.with a total cost of about LE 5 million aiming to collect the sanitary drainage wastes of the floating boats. These
- A harbor was established in Aqaab area, east of Aswan, wastes are treated by using treated water in cultivating 69 feddans of wooden forests.
Protecting the Coastal Environment:
Many procedures were adopted to identify the problems that threaten the coastal environment which are:
- Defining the kind of Mediterranean coastal water in 3 locations from as-Saloum to Rafah, and in 24 locations on the Egyptian coasts of the Red Sea, Suez and Aqaba gulfs.
- Sector and national plans were laid down till 2010 to prevent the coastal environment pollution from different sources in every governorate.
Combating Industrial Pollution
The project aims at limiting the industrial pollution via the usage of the clean production methods, establishing permanent techniques to activate the project of combating pollution, and raising companies' ability for environmental commitment.
The first stage of this project was implemented in 2000, and the second one will be implemented during the period (2007-2012) with a cost of LE 1.9 million.
Natural Reserves and Biological Diversity
The government works on protecting and preserving the natural reserves as well as raising
 their ability as a base for tourism, development, and permanent investment. The natural reserves are 27, on an area about 150 thousand km2 representing 15% of the total country area where these reserves occupy most of the distinguished eco-systems where there are 20,000 kinds of birds and animals. There are plans to bring the total number to 40 reserves which represent about 17-20% of the total area in 2007. In 2007, about 2 million Egyptian and foreign visitors of which half of them visited Red Sea reserves, 29% visited Ra's Muhammad and 18.7% visited St. Catherine reserves.1- Ra's Muhammad and the Island of Tiran and Sanafir, South Sinai
 It was declared as a natural reserve in 1983. It 550 km2 away from Cairo. It is characterized by the most beautiful places for diving, coral reefs and colored fishes, as well as rare aquatic creatures. Also, it is the home for many rare birds and animals.
2- Az-Zaraneeq and Sabkhat al-Bardaweel Reserve, North Sinai
It is considered the main key for migrant and resident birds alike. 270 kinds of birds representing 14 species were registered in the habitat. The reserve was declared in 1985. Its area is 230 km2 and it is 300 km from Egypt.
 3- Al Ahrash Reserve, North Sinai Governorate
Declared in 1986, its area is 8 km2, and it is 370 km from Cairo. It is characterized by the sand dunes that are about 60 m above the sea level. It is covered with thick areas of Acosia trees, bushes and herbs that make it a source of pastures, wood and a shelter for wild birds and animals.
4-Elba Reserve, Red Sea Governorate
Its area is 35600 km2, and it is 1300 km away from Cairo. It was declared as reserve in 1986. It contains forests, sand dunes, coastal plains, mountains and hills. It is a haven for many kinds of animals, birds, reptiles as well as medical plants.
5- Al-Ameed Reserve, Matrouh Governorate
Declared a reserve in 1986 with an area of 700 km2, and it is 300 km away from Cairo. It contains 170 kinds of wild plants that can be used in medicine, as food for man or as a source of fuel and also for environmental purposes. Many kinds of wild animals, such as foxes, deer, and chameleon live there. There are also 14 kinds of the predatory birds.
6- Salouga and Gazal Reserve and Small Island: Flanking the First Waterfall, Aswan Governorate
It contains about 94 kinds of plants and 60 kinds of rare birds threatened by extinction. Some of these birds have been multiplying in these islands since the ancient Egyptian era. These birds include the Hoopoe and the Egyptian Geese
7- Ashtoum Algameel and Tenys Island (AL Manzala Lake), Port Said Governorate
It is characterized by various eco-systems. It is also the main stopping point for migrant birds, where they can stay for rest and food.
8- St. Catherine Reserve, South Sinai Governorate
It is characterized by including the highest mountains in Egypt and natural wealth, as well as a great cultural heritage. It also contains 27 kinds of reptiles and many kinds of mammals.
9- Al-Alaqi Valley Reserve, Aswan Governorate
It is characterized by the fertile soil and the green plants that make it a place for pastures where 92 kinds of plants were registered.
10- The Fossilized Forest Reserve, Al Ma'di, Cairo Governorate
It is rich in high thick fossilized bushes and roots that are gathered to form a fossilized forest.
11- Al-Wadi Al-Assuti Reserve, Assiut Governorate
It is divided into two main sections, one for breeding and reproducing wild animals, and the other for collecting the sources of plants that are threatened by extinction.
12- Wadi ar-Rayan, Al-Fayyoum Governorate
It includes many important places such as ar-Rayan Lake which is calm and clean from pollution; waterfalls area, and ar-Rayan springs that include natural sulfuric springs. Also, there is Wadi al- Hitan area in which there are fossils of whales. It is considered an open museum that dates back to about 40 million years ago.
13- Lake Qarun Reserve, al-Fayyoum Governorate
One of the oldest natural lakes all over the world. It includes big varieties of reptiles and mammals that have important role in the eco-system of the reserve. The north part of the lake includes ancient heritage that dates back to the Roman and Pharaonic era.
14- Quppet al-Hassana Reserve, Giza Governorate
It is considered a museum and a specialized scientific faculty for studying earth's science and the various geological formations. It also includes very old aquatic fossils representing the entire record of the ancient history.
15- Wadi Sanour Cave Reserve, Beni Sueif Governorate
It contains geological formations known as ups and downs that were formed across million years. These are rare formations all over the world.
16- Nabq Reserve, South Sinai Governorate
It is characterized by several important eco-systems including coral reefs, aquatic and wild creatures, and Mangrove forest as well as reptiles and migrant and resident birds. The Reserve is a tourist site for those interested in diving, safari and bird and animal watching.
17- Abu Galoum Reserve, South Sinai Governorate
It is characterized by its special topography where the mountains are close to the shore, and it has various eco-systems of coral reefs, aquatic creatures and weed as well as desert and mountainous eco-systems. It includes 165 kinds of plants of which 44 kinds exist only in this reserve. Moreover, there are caves under water, which make the Reserve an eye-catching tourist attraction.
18- Taba Reserve, South Sinai Governorate
This habitat includes distinct geological formations, historical sites that date back to 5000 years ago, as well as wild life, rare plants, natural views, and traditional heritage of the resident Bedouins. There are also kinds of wild birds and groups of springs.
19- Al-Borolus Reserve, Kafr el-Sheikh Governorate
Al-Borolus Lake is considered the second largest natural lake in Egypt. The reserve has several environments such as swamps, sand dunes on its shores and about 135 kinds of plants.
20- Nile Islands Reserves, Various Governorates
There are 95 islands along the main stream of the River Nile from Helwan to Delta, 30 islands along Rasheed branch, and 19 ones along Damietta branch. The total area of the Nile islands is 37150 feddans.
21- Wadi Degla Reserve, Cairo Governorate
It is rich in fossils, and it includes various animals and insects, as well as 18 registered kinds of reptiles.
 22- Siwa Reserve, Matrouh Governorate
It is characterized by monuments, Safari, and desert tourism. It includes the temple of god Amun, and the crowning hall of Alexander the Great, as well as many tombs that date back to the Greek era. There are also varieties of biological kinds.
23- White Desert Reserve, Al Wadi al-Gadeed Governorate
It is considered an open museum for studying desert environment, geographical phenomenon, fossils and wild life. It includes some monuments and materials that date back to the pre-historic era. The geological formations are spread in the form of white chalk formations that were formed by the wind which gives the area a geological position and rare nature.
24- Wadi al-Gamal-Hamata
It contains "Wadi al-Gamal Basin" which is one of the biggest and richest vallies of the Eastern Desert. "Hamata Mountain" is the highest mountain of the Eastern Desert. It contains great varieties of animals and plants such as "Al Mangroof forest, Coral reefs and aquatic plant".
In 2006 and 2007 three new reserves were registered. These are:
1- Northern Island reserves, Red Sea.
2- Al-Golf al-Kabeer reserves which is characterized by the cultural heritage, and Al-owainat mountain that lies between Egypt, Libya and Sudan.
3- Al- Dababia reserves.
The International Day of Environment (June 5, 2007):
The Ministry of Environmental Affairs celebrated the International Day of Environment. The celebration included:
1- Holding an exhibition for climate changes.
2- Recognizing pioneers of environmental works.
3- Distributing trees among governorates and opening the natural Habitat for free.
4- Showing the film called "Egypt is developed by us", and holding an environmental competition.
5- Holding the first International Environmental Film Festival (5-10 June 2007) for the first time in Egypt and the Middle East area, with the cooperation of the Environmental Development Organization, Ministry of Culture and sponsored by the State Ministry of Environmental Affairs.
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