Tunisia Launches Coastal Protection Initiative
The Tunisian Minister of Environment, Habib Abid, announced on Monday the launch of the coastal protection initiative, also known as the "coastal belt," aimed at protecting Tunisia from the risks of coastal and marine erosion.
The "Blue Belt" Initiative
This initiative, currently dubbed the "blue belt," is inspired by the "green belt" concept and will serve as a protective barrier for the coastline against the effects of meteorological disturbances, such as those experienced by the country over the past two weeks, which caused significant damage. According to the minister, this requires a revision of the coastal protection model and collaboration with the private sector, associations, and other partners, despite legal obstacles.
Partnership and Agreements
The outlines of this initiative, still in its preliminary stage, involve establishing partnerships and agreements between all stakeholders, considering the weakness of the National Agency for Coastal Protection and Development (APAL) and its inability to protect 340 km of coastline alone, especially in the context of climate change.
Launch of the Ras Rmel Project
The minister also visited the island of Djerba, where he chaired the launch workshop of the project to support the effective management of the Ras Rmel maritime and coastal area. During the workshop, he announced an intervention to protect six reserves, from the island of Galite to the island of Djerba, to make them a bulwark for Tunisia, indicating that Djerba will serve as a model for launching similar projects in Tunisian reserves.
Agreement for the Management of the Ras Rmel Reserve
He also launched the agreement for the development of a management plan for the Ras Rmel coastal and marine reserve, concluded between APAL and the Jlij Association for Marine Environment, funded by the Development Fund for Protected Marine and Coastal Areas (AMCP). This is the sixth convention of the Agency for the implementation of management activities in marine and coastal spaces, after those of Galite, Zembra, Kuriat, Kuriya, and Kerkennah.
Five-Year Agreement
According to Marwa Douma, an engineer at APAL, the agreement will last for five years and will be completed by the end of 2030. In the first phase, several effective management activities of the Ras Rmel reserve will be implemented, with a budget of $287,000.
New Project for the Northern Coast of Djerba
During the workshop, a new project was also presented, which will concern the northern coast of the island of Djerba through artificial replenishment of beaches with sand over a length of 9 km, at an estimated cost of 85 million dinars and a duration of 18 months. The launch is expected soon, after the finalization of the financing procedures.
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