Demo Outside World Bank Offices in Beirut over Dam Project
Demonstrators staged a protest outside World Bank offices in Lebanon's capital Monday over its key role in financing a controversial dam project that environmentalists say will destroy a valley rich in biodiversity.
"Bisri Dam = Destruction, Pollution, Earthquakes" and "Save The Bisri Valley", read banners and posters carried by the dozens of demonstrators gathered in downtown Beirut.
The dam to be built in the valley 30 kilometres (20 miles) south of the capital aims to supply drinking water as well as irrigation for 1.6 million residents.
Environmentalists and local farmers dispute assurances from the government and World Bank, the main financier with a loan of $474 million, that the dam to be built on a seismic fault line does not increase the risk of earthquakes.
"The World Bank is financing a project which will cause an ecological massacre and expel residents from their region," said Boutros Salim, a 54-year-old demonstrator.
05 March 2019, 17:16
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What Lebanon needs is a water management infrastructure, basically all the rain water to be collected and an upgraded sewer system to trap the rain water for filtration. If Lebanon continues getting the rain and snow fall amounts that they do, there will be plenty of water to supply other ME countries. Dams have proven not to be a viable way to go as the impacts are too great and ongoing costs will be rather high. I believe with the money spend on the dam they can build the required infrastructure for better water management.
05 March 2019, 17:22
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What Lebanon needs is a water management infrastructure, basically all the rain water to be collected and an upgraded sewer system to trap the rain water for filtration. If Lebanon continues getting the rain and snow fall amounts that they do, there will be plenty of water to supply other ME countries. Dams have proven not to be a viable way to go as the impacts are too great and ongoing costs will be rather high. I believe with the money spend on the dam they can build the required infrastructure for better water management.
05 March 2019, 18:16
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Sad to say I agree...If we had a government and civilized citizens this would be a good thing for Lebanon http://entm.ag/sey
