Posted by finkployd in
Info
Wednesday, July 13. 2005
Also remember the Independent Environment Hotline (not government-run)
(01) 210 510
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Mitri announces new environmental hotline
By Karine Raad
Daily Star staff
Friday, June 17, 2005
BEIRUT: Environment Minister Tarek Mitri unveiled a new hotline set up by the ministry to receive complaints and suggestions regarding the environment. The hotline's toll-free number is 1789, extension 492; from a land line 01/976555 extension 492, or fax 01/976530.
In a news conference, Mitri said implementing environmental protections and working toward the country's socio-economic development were interrelated.
He said: "Distinguishing between defending the environment and human beings is a cover created by some to violate the laws and serve their private interests."
Mitri slammed allegations that environmental issues are secondary to the country's reconstruction projects.
He said: "The costs of environmental destruction, which is estimated at $565 million, constitute a heavy annual loss, whereas care for the protection of environment on all levels does not cost that much."
"Based on this simple, scientific and numeric comparison, we stress the necessity of investing efforts in the care and protection of the environment," Mitri said.
Commenting on the ongoing official ban on rock and sand quarries, Mitri said the endorsement of the ministry's final draft of its master plan pertaining to the issue requires verification of geological technical standards.
Commenting on medical concerns raised by the level of industrial pollution in the Chekka area of North Lebanon, Mitri said the ministry is cooperating with environmental experts, activists and Balamand University to solve the problem.
The minister said that medical experts had diagnosed the spread of breast cancer in the area as being caused by the steel industry. Mitri added that supervision of emissions from smoke stacks at the area's various industrial plants is ongoing but that tests showed the pollution index is close to those set by international standards.
Concerning medical waste, Mitri said the Council for Development and Reconstruction had been entrusted with providing trucks for the transportation of such wastes. -dailystar
-finkployd