Maadi is marking World Environment Day in practical way s, notes Mahmoud Bakr The Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs (MSEA) has launched a campaign to clean up, plant trees, and beautify the neighbourhood of Maadi. It is part of its celebration of the World Environment Day, held this year under the motto "Forests: Nature at Your Service." Maged George, minister of state for environmental affairs, said that the MSEA is trying to preserve the Red Sea mangrove forests, which offer habitat for birds, fish, and numerous animal species. According to George, the encroachment on forests has led to the extinction of numerous life forms, to the loss of biological diversity, and to heightened levels of pollution. Maadi Greens, 300 children from Awladi Society, Al-Basatin District, and several NGOs are part of a green campaign in Maadi that will last till the end of June. The MSEA provided Maadi inhabitants with trees and saplings to plant around the neighbourhood. It also sponsored an environmental awareness campaign targeting children and the local population. A cartoon character named Bizra (seed) features prominently in the campaign. Organisers held competitions with environmental themes and gave out symbolic prizes to the participants. Several workshops were held during which the participants called for closer cooperation between government and the public in planting trees and promoting green spaces. The MSEA has organised several campaigns to remove garbage and plant ficus trees near the Maadi Club. Participants decided to name some of the trees after the martyrs of the 25 January Revolution. In Wadi Al-Gemal protectorate on the Red Sea, the MSEA launched environmental awareness campaigns, organised workshops, mounted clean-up initiatives, and started planting trees to mark International Migratory Bird Day. The awareness team of the Wadi Al-Gemal protectorate, the local community of Abu Ghusn and Sheikh Shazli, and the Wadi Al-Gemal Centre all took part in the effort. At the protectorate of Wadi Al-Gemal, workshops were held on newspaper recycling and the disposal of plastic bottles. Some participants demonstrated ways of making animal and bird figures from discarded cardboard. Participants also received training in presentation and lecturing techniques, skills that could be of great use during future awareness campaigns. Lectures were organised with themes ranging from nature protectorates in Sinai to wildlife in the western and eastern deserts, and the special characteristics of the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. Experts also discussed wetlands, animal protection, maritime life, eco tourism and survival techniques. The ecosystems of turtle breeding and bird migration were also discussed. Children participating in the Wadi Al-Gemal awareness campaign took part in planting trees after they listened to presentations about the importance of trees as a habitat for birds and other life forms. Experts spoke to the public about the difference between the local trees that grow naturally in the protectorate and those growing outside. Participants in the awareness campaign reviewed ways of selecting trees for cultivation in the protectorate. At public gatherings, the participants discussed the danger of excessive grazing of sheep and camels and its possible impact on the local flora. Experts also pointed out the danger of excessive firewood gathering and the cutting down of trees. The participants were given trees to plant near their houses and many of them participated in clean-up campaigns. Experts pointed out the danger of discarding plastic refuse in a random manner, a practice that could endanger the protectorate's flora and fauna. The participants pointed to the noise pollution associated with car horns. A children's play was performed, demonstrating the perils of discarding a plastic bag in an inappropriate fashion. Participants then took part in the collection of garbage and disposing of it in designated areas.
