NNA – The Reforestation Association in Lebanon organized a day for afforestation and walking in nature on Saturday, in the area of al-Qaraoun in West Bekaa, with the participation of Ministers of Environment Nasser Yassin, Agriculture Abbas Hajj Hassan, and Industry George Poushkian, in cooperation with the Qaraoun Lake’s Municipalities Union.
The program included planting a memorial tree and 200 plants, and a briefing on the bio-environmental path in Rashaya and Western Bekaa, and a mountain walk in the direction of the town of Baaloul.
In a word by the Minister of Environment, he said: "We are doing our best regarding environmental pollution and we are working to activate the previously scheduled loan with the World Bank… There is also an industrial aspect, namely to work on organizing factories to prevent pollution.”
"We are striving to save this beautiful area from the pollution that has become fatal to life, by removing the damage to the lake in cooperation with the official and civil local bodies and through a systematic and scientific plan," Yassin asserted.
In turn, the Agriculture Minister said: “Associations have a central and essential role in this region and in all of Lebanon, particularly in the environmental field and industrial agriculture, since the crisis is greater than everyone and the state is unable to achieve on its own.”
“The required follow-up can only be done through the Ministries of Environment, Agriculture and Industry,” he added.
For his part, the Industry Minister considered that "the National Tree Day is an occasion that is traditionally celebrated in most countries of the world and in Lebanon, for it is the home of the Lord's cedar, oak, pine and vine trees…Lebanon the land of green mountains, forests, environment, water, snow and springs. This is my beloved Lebanon that I have known, and the Lebanon of every Lebanese loyal to his country.”
He added: "The green industry is also a commitment to environmental specifications and public safety, and it is harmless and not polluting. In the event that there are violating industries, and they already exist, we are working to close them and hold those responsible accountable, However, they remain an exceptional case in a group of industrial institutions that the Lebanese are proud of, and that contribute to growth and to pumping dollars and hard currencies into Lebanon and exporting Lebanese products to countries around the world.”
The three ministers then participated in planting trees in the designated mountainous area.
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