JEDDAH, 12 November 2006 — Concern for the environment took centerstage during a pre-forum seminar at the 2nd Jeddah Water and Power Forum at the Jeddah Hilton yesterday.
Delegates discussed the implementation of an integrated water and power production strategy and methods of conserving fresh water and recycling waste water in ways that do not affect the environment.
Saudi Arabia has carried out programs and adopted legal measures to conserve the environment. These include laws on pollution discharges and the establishment of protected areas.
“However, a number of issues remain unresolved or poorly addressed,” Tarek A. Taher, president and CEO, Aal Taher Group, said in his presentation on reducing the environmental impact of water and power projects. These issues include enforcement of existing emission standards, industrial development covering land filling and integration of the public and private sectors in marine conservation.
“The Red Sea represents a complex and unique tropical marine ecosystem with an extraordinary biological diversity and a remarkably high diversity of flora and fauna unique to the area. “Environmental threats — notably from habitat destruction, over exploitation and pollution — are increasing rapidly requiring immediate action to conserve and protect the Red Sea coastal and marine environment,” he added.
The natural coastal resources had, he said, supported populations for thousands of years. People have regarded the Red Sea as an inexhaustible supply of food, a useful transport route and a convenient dumping ground — “simply too vast to be affected by anything we do.”
Human activity, particularly over the last few decades, had finally pushed the Red Sea to its limit. “It’s being over-fished, polluted, abused and destroyed. This important living space is fast deteriorating. This doesn’t just threaten marine habitats and species, many of which have only recently been discovered, but also our own health, way of life and security,” he said.
“Perhaps, we should also consider the wisdom of our ancestors who had so little yet they were able to preserve so much. Early conservation efforts ensured that each community sustained the needs of current and future generations.”
Taher screened a film produced by the Reef chief Organization, a nongovernmental organization dedicated to the conservation of the Red Sea, and put forward some recommendations that include improving the enforcement of laws and regulations relevant to the conservation of the environment, particularly in relation to pollution discharges, land filling and coastal developments.
