Minister of Environment Highlights Urgency of Implementing "Coastal Belt" Project
The Minister of Environment, Habib Abid, emphasized the need to implement the "Coastal Belt" project to preserve Tunisia's coastlines from marine erosion. Modeled after the "Green Belt" concept, this initiative has become crucial in the face of the alarming rise in sea levels caused by recent climate-related events. Speaking in Djerba during the launch of the Ras Rmel marine reserve management project, the minister stated that this battle can only be won through collective action. Despite current legislative complexities, he advocates for total synergy between the public sector and private actors, calling on hoteliers, fishermen, and associations to join forces. In conclusion, Habib Abid recalled that the Agency for the Protection and Development of the Coastline (APAL) does not have the necessary means to act alone. For the minister, the salvation of our coastlines now depends on a participatory approach where each stakeholder becomes an actor in climate resilience.
Note: I translated "Ceinture Côtière" to "Coastal Belt" and "Ceinture Verte" to "Green Belt" to maintain consistency with common English terminology. I also translated "aléas climatiques" to "climate-related events" to better convey the intended meaning. Additionally, I used "Ras Rmel marine reserve management project" to provide more context, as "Ras Rmel" is a specific location in Tunisia.
