Construction and excavation work currently underway at Sharm El-Luli Beach (Ras Hankorab), located within the geographical boundaries of Wadi El-Gamal Reserve, 55 kilometers from Marsa Alam city in the southern Red Sea, has sparked widespread discontent and concern among environmental advocates. The work is being carried out by heavy equipment belonging to “Impact for Tourism Investment” company, owned by businessman Hassan Wahdan, brother of parliamentary representative Suleiman Wahdan, one of the founders of the pro-government New Front Party. The project includes constructing a hotel, chalets, restaurants, and various tourist facilities such as changing rooms, restrooms, and a diving center, which environmental experts and activists consider a clear violation of Natural Reserves Law No. 102 of 1983, amid serious concerns about the risk to environmental and biological diversity in the area, which ranks nineteenth globally among the world’s most beautiful beaches.
In January, the Ministry of Environment announced plans to develop visitor services at Hankorab Beach by providing swimming and snorkeling equipment, and establishing a restaurant and information center to introduce the reserve and its diverse resources. The ministry also mentioned implementing a project to develop tourism services in Wadi El-Gamal Reserve in cooperation with “Veronaland Tourism Development” company and a project integrating biodiversity conservation with tourism in Egypt, where an information center was established to display detailed information about the reserve’s biodiversity, in addition to creating a service area in “Um Al-Basao” including a Bedouin tent inspired by the Ababda tribe heritage, offering various activities such as stargazing and desert and mountain tourism.
Last year, the ministry proposed another project to develop Hankorab Beach’s infrastructure, under the title “Environmentally Friendly Investment Portfolios,” aiming to establish rest areas, changing rooms, and public restrooms under strict environmental conditions to ensure no harm to environmental diversity or the special nature of the place. Five companies submitted bids for the project, including “Impact for Tourism Investment” company, which is currently executing these controversial constructions.
Under Decree No. 143 issued by the Prime Minister in 2003, the Wadi El-Gamal area in the southern Red Sea Governorate, covering 7,450 square kilometers and 850 kilometers from Cairo, was declared a natural reserve where no facilities can be established without official approvals and strict environmental requirements. However, this reserve has faced a series of encroachments and violations recently, most notably in November 2024, when a group of people illegally seized Hankorab Beach inside the reserve and set up a residential tent in violation of environmental laws. Subsequently, the Wadi El-Gamal Reserve management filed an official complaint (No. 2326 Marsa Alam misdemeanors), after which the Al-Qusayr prosecution in the Red Sea ordered the defendants to be referred for criminal trial, where the Al-Qusayr Misdemeanor Court issued a ruling on December 1, 2024, fining each defendant 5,000 pounds ($100) and removing all encroachments.
In the same context, coinciding with the Egyptian Federation of Tourism Chambers’ announcement a few days ago about stopping visits to Hankorab Beach according to a decision issued by the Environmental Affairs Agency to regulate visits to reserves, a source from the Ecotourism Development Association told “Zawia3” that reserve workers were expelled from the beach, and “Impact for Tourism Investment” company, owned by Hassan Wahdan, brought in heavy equipment to start a commercial project. The same source confirmed that several environmental associations and institutions were planning to submit a report to the Attorney General about these encroachments, but they were surprised by a response from the Minister of Environment, in which the ministry disavowed its legal responsibility regarding the reserve, under the pretext of “prioritizing the country’s higher interest,” raising questions about the nature of influence supporting the businessman. The source emphasized that the Ministry of Environment legally cannot sell any part of the reserve, but is only allowed to offer parts of it under an annual usufruct system after submitting environmental impact assessment studies.
A report published by “Sahih Misr” platform confirmed that “Impact” company has actually acquired an area of up to 10 kilometers of Hankorab Beach inside Wadi El-Gamal Reserve. Reports issued by the Environmental Affairs Agency in the Red Sea, addressed to Major General Amr Hanafi, Governor of the Red Sea, denied the validity of the Ministry of Environment’s claims that the ongoing work is a “development process within an approved plan for reserve management aimed at balancing environmental conservation and economic development.” The report also revealed a complaint submitted by Sameh Hassan Al-Masry, former president of Wadi El-Gamal Reserve, to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, regarding these encroachments, indicating that he was removed from his position after repeatedly confronting and removing these violations.
Previously, the Ministry of Environment had rejected a project submitted by “Impact” company, which included establishing a large hotel and tourist resorts (camps) on Hankorab Beach, due to its negative impact on the environment and biodiversity, while approving a bid from the Italian company that owns “Georgina Marsa Alam” resort near the reserve, which had already begun implementing the infrastructure development project. However, a group of “Impact” company employees later took control of the project site, expelled the Italian company workers, and set up tents and caravans on the land, claiming they belonged to the presidency, according to the report.
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Advocacy Campaign to Protect the Beach
Environmental protection associations and institutions in Egypt, including HEPCA in Hurghada, the Egyptian Nature Conservation Association (NCE), Ecoris Foundation for Sustainable Development, and Greenish Environmental Protection Organization, have warned of the serious threat to Hankorab Beach, rich with rare coral reefs and endangered marine creatures, due to unsustainable development pressures threatening its future and negatively affecting Egypt’s environmental and tourism status globally.
In response to this crisis, bloggers and activists on social media launched an online campaign last week under the hashtags: “#Save_Wadi_El_Gamal_Reserve,” “#Save_Hankorab,” and “#No_to_Encroachment_on_Reserves,” calling for immediate action to save the beach, affirming that it is an irreplaceable environmental and tourism treasure.
In a statement issued last Tuesday, the Egyptian Nature Conservation Association made an urgent appeal to media professionals, civil society organizations, private sector institutions, and all those interested in the environment to participate in an advocacy campaign to save Hankorab Beach from the danger of encroachments. The association confirmed that the continuation of illegal activities would deprive citizens of their natural right to access these public and heritage places and sets a dangerous precedent for opening the door to more encroachments for private investments.
For its part, Ecoris Foundation for Sustainable Development expressed deep concern about reports confirming excavation and construction work inside the Ras Hankorab area in Wadi El-Gamal Reserve, warning that these activities could accelerate the extinction of sea turtles and destroy rare coral reefs, in addition to Egypt violating its international commitments to protect nature. The foundation considered that such practices threaten Egypt’s environmental and tourism reputation and affect the local economy of communities that rely on ecotourism as a main source of income.
The foundation called on the concerned authorities, especially the presidency, to intervene immediately and issue urgent directives to stop the ongoing construction work, until verifying its legality and transparently evaluating its environmental effects, with publishing the investigation results to the public. The foundation also called for strengthening supervision of natural reserves and involving civil society and environmental experts in any decisions related to the development or exploitation of these reserves, emphasizing that protecting Wadi El-Gamal Reserve is a national responsibility that should be at the forefront of priorities to ensure a sustainable future for Egypt environmentally and economically.
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Ministry of Environment Justifies, Associations Criticize, and Experts Warn
In response to criticisms regarding the ongoing work at Hankorab Beach in Wadi El-Gamal Reserve, the Egyptian Ministry of Environment clarified in a statement issued Tuesday that natural reserve lands are considered public state property, and activities are practiced according to the controls stipulated in the regulatory laws, confirming that the current work comes within the framework of periodic infrastructure development, which includes providing umbrellas, marine corridors, food preparation areas, directional signs, and restrooms, to achieve a balance between environmental protection on one hand, and maximizing the economic and social benefits of reserves on the other. The ministry emphasized that it will not allow the establishment of any facilities or activities that may harm the reserve, confirming that legal measures will be taken against any violations to ensure the preservation of natural resources and make them available for citizens and tourists to enjoy.
On the other hand, the ministry’s statement was widely criticized by specialists and those interested in environmental affairs, who considered what is happening in Hankorab an extension of previous policies aimed at opening doors for commercial investment in reserves. Critics pointed to previous statements by Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad during an investment committee meeting in May 2023, where she discussed the possibility of offering specific natural reserves for investment and financing them with environmental bank loans, and establishing economic activities such as eco-lodges, camps, cafeterias, ecotourism, and local community development, provided that the ministry’s investment committee reviews all investment requests to ensure their consistency with reserve management plans and regulations until 2030.
Dr. Sahar Mehanna, Professor of Fish Population Dynamics at the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, confirms to Zawia3 that Wadi El-Gamal is a land and marine reserve, and the marine part includes “Hankorab Beach” with coral reefs, endangered marine creatures, and mangrove trees. It was declared a reserve about 20 years ago, and any human activity occurring there must be subject to accurate scientific study and environmental impact assessment according to Egyptian environmental law and international agreements signed by Egypt related to natural reserves, biodiversity protection, and preventing trade in endangered species. Any unstudied activity can cause destruction of the environment, diversity, and nature of the place that attracts tourists and achieves economic gains, and will lead to a violent reaction from nature protectors and civil society and legal consequences at the level of Egyptian or international laws. She called for reconsidering what is being done on Hankorab Beach and stopping it until evaluating its environmental impact on biodiversity and the environment, to ensure sustainability, preserve tourism attractions, and prevent the destruction of coral reefs, nursery areas, and mangrove trees.
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Legal Penalties
Ahmed Al-Saeedi, an environmental law specialist and chairman of the board of trustees of the Egyptian Foundation for Environmental Rights, explains to Zawia3 that Natural Reserves Law No. 102 of 1983, issued on July 31, 1983, and implemented on August 4 of the same year, is one of the environmental laws that preceded the Environmental Law. It aims to protect areas containing endangered species, rare plants, or natural phenomena of cultural, scientific, tourism, or aesthetic value. The law prohibits in its third article any activities that may destroy or negatively impact the natural environment of the place, such as hunting, establishing buildings and facilities, paving roads, operating vehicles, or practicing any agricultural, industrial, or commercial activities within the reserve area without authorization from the competent administrative authority, which is the reserve administration affiliated with the Environmental Affairs Agency, directly reporting to the Cabinet. The executive regulations of the law also extended the prohibition of these activities to include areas surrounding the reserves.
Regarding penalties for violating the provisions of Articles Two and Three of the law or its implementing decisions, Al-Saeedi explains that they range from fines of not less than 500 pounds ($10) and not exceeding five thousand pounds ($100), and imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or one of these two penalties. In case of repeated violations, the penalty increases to a fine of not less than 3,000 pounds ($60) and not exceeding ten thousand pounds ($200), and imprisonment for not less than one year, or one of these two penalties.
Al-Saeedi says: “Unfortunately, the Ministry of Environment’s statements about investing in reserves raise concerns, as legal experiences have proven that economic investment and development often conflict with environmental protection. It is better to leave natural reserves in their original state without heavy constructions, and be content with establishing some limited wooden tents to promote ecotourism. The only guarantee to preserve these sensitive places is conducting environmental impact assessment studies before starting any project. The current trend raises concerns about the possibility of selling parts of reserves and exposing them and the organisms within them to danger.”
Al-Saeedi also questions the current construction work at Hankorab Beach, asking whether it was preceded by environmental impact assessment studies, given the environmental sensitivity of the place, and whether community participation including public hearing sessions took place. He also demands disclosure of contracts related to the project and verification that these activities are subject to judicial oversight to ensure the integrity of scientific and legal procedures, as well as revealing the reason for dismissing the former director of Wadi El-Gamal Reserve, and if there is a connection between his dismissal and addressing encroachments on Hankorab Beach. He notes that Egypt is bound by many international agreements concerning environmental protection and biodiversity, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the International Law of the Sea, and Red Sea countries agreements.
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Warnings of Environmental Risks
Dr. Omar Tammam, Professor of Natural Reserves, explains to Zawia3 that Hankorab Beach is considered the most important part of Wadi El-Gamal Reserve, containing rare coral reef colonies, some of which are over seven thousand years old. These are vulnerable to diseases, death, and theft, requiring precise scientific monitoring, especially after the spread of white syndrome, a disease that affects coral causing it to appear white before dying, which has spread widely in Sharm El-Sheikh and the Red Sea. Tammam confirms that random tourism activities on beaches lose control over protecting these reefs and expose them to destruction risk, especially in the absence of invertebrate medicine specialization in Egyptian universities and the lack of coral reef propagation programs.
Tammam also warns that Hankorab Beach is home to sea turtles, which are endangered in Egypt due to the absence of programs for their propagation, protecting their eggs, and ensuring their offspring safely reach the sea after hatching. Current efforts are limited to rescuing and returning them to the water, unlike what happens in other countries like China. He adds: “Sharm El-Sheikh beaches are currently filled with hotels that are only 50 meters away from the sea, and some even place barbed wire in the water, preventing wildlife. Any tourist facility should be at least 2 kilometers away from the beach, with separate areas designated for biological activity, sea turtles, and ornamental fish, taking into account reproduction times and migratory bird areas.”
On the other hand, Hossam Moharram, former advisor to the Minister of Environment, explains to Zawia3 that many countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, South Africa, Brazil, Indonesia, Canada, and the United States have moved towards what is called economic exploitation of natural reserves, which aims to benefit from reserve resources to achieve economic benefits without harming the ecosystem. This exploitation includes investing in plants, animals, beaches, coral reefs, and geological formations, organizing tourism activities, safaris, and educational trips, as well as using natural products such as medicinal herbs in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, in addition to scientific research to study environmental diversity, with the aim of achieving sustainability and balance between environmental preservation and economic benefit.
Moharram emphasizes the necessity of subjecting economic exploitation in reserves to strict regulations and laws to protect natural resources and biodiversity, and limit excessive exploitation, encroachments, or environmental crimes. He demands that tourism activities in reserves be limited and clearly governed, with restrictions imposed on transportation to reduce pollution resulting from emissions, alongside commitment to local community participation in decision-making regarding reserve exploitation.
In the same context, Moharram calls for distinguishing between legitimate demands to protect biodiversity and attempts by some to intimidate officials from environmentally disciplined economic exploitation for personal or economic goals, or due to intellectual rigidity or questioning of public policies. He stresses that the absence of community participation in decision-making increases doubt and mistrust in government policies related to natural reserves.
Parliamentary Actions
MP Maha Abdel Nasser, member of the House of Representatives from the Egyptian Democratic Party, submitted a briefing request last Tuesday addressed to the Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, and Minister of Environment, regarding the blatant encroachments currently occurring on Wadi El-Gamal Reserve in Ras Hankorab area in Marsa Alam, which was declared a natural reserve by Prime Minister’s Decision No. 143 of 2003. She indicated that this poses a serious environmental risk and a direct threat to its environmental balance, raising many questions about the extent of commitment to applying laws regulating natural reserves, the ability of concerned authorities to impose the rule of law and prevent any violations affecting the country’s national wealth, and the preference of investment thought over the state’s capabilities and natural resources.
The MP questioned how these works are being implemented inside an officially classified natural reserve by government decision without taking necessary legal procedures, what is the position of the Ministry of Environment, Red Sea Governorate, and Environmental Police regarding these encroachments, why immediate measures have not been taken to stop them, whether official permits have been issued to establish these facilities inside the reserve, if there are permits, were they in accordance with legal controls, if environmental impact studies were conducted before starting these works according to Law No. 102 of 1983 regarding natural reserves, and what is the state’s plan to protect this reserve from further encroachments and ensure such violations are not repeated in the future.
MP Abdel Nasser considered that what is happening in Ras Hankorab may not be an isolated incident, but reflects a broader problem related to non-compliance with laws regulating natural reserves and allowing violations that may lead to Egypt losing invaluable natural sites. She emphasized that preserving these reserves is a national responsibility requiring decisive intervention, especially given the speed of implementing these encroachments in a manner that raises concern and gives the impression that there is an attempt to impose a fait accompli on responsible authorities.
The MP called on the government to immediately stop these works and provide a comprehensive clarification about what is happening in Wadi El-Gamal Reserve, the measures taken so far, and upcoming steps to ensure these encroachments are not repeated, to urgently present this file for discussion in the House of Representatives, and summon concerned officials to provide clear explanations about the procedures taken, and what is required to ensure these encroachments are stopped and not repeated in the future.
For her part, MP Samira Al-Gazzar, member of the Planning and Budget Committee in the House of Representatives, submitted an urgent statement last Thursday to the Speaker of Parliament, Hanafi Gebali, to save Wadi El-Gamal Reserve, south of Marsa Alam, issued by Prime Minister’s Decision No. 143 of 2003, considering it a rare natural treasure in Egypt. She confirmed that the current attack on it, with full contracting equipment to build a hotel for an investor and impose a fait accompli by force on Egyptian state laws, reflects corruption that has reached its maximum and clearly challenges the sovereignty of the state and the constitution, which establishes important laws related to preserving natural reserves, especially ministerial decisions rejecting the matter, questioning: Where is the Red Sea Governorate, where are the state agencies, and where are the Environmental Police and the Ministry of Environment?
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Beach Remains Open Despite Controversy
Social media users have been circulating news in recent days indicating that Hankorab Beach within Wadi El-Gamal Reserve has been closed and Egyptian visitors are not being allowed to enter since heavy construction equipment entered the site. However, Hani Sadeq, the official representative of the International Sport Fishing Federation, clarifies to Zawia3 that the tourist reception area in the outer part of the beach remains open and continues to receive both Egyptian and foreign visitors daily. Sadeq adds that Egyptian visitors can obtain permits from the Border Guard Administration allowing them to camp at the site.
Sadeq notes that those managing the beach were recently surprised by heavy construction equipment entering the site, which raised concerns for HEPCA, an organization concerned with environmental protection in the Red Sea. This prompted HEPCA to issue an urgent appeal to save Hankorab Beach, known for its purity and pristine nature, which is classified among Egypt’s most beautiful beaches. The International Sport Fishing Federation has announced its solidarity with this appeal as it is concerned with preserving nature in the Red Sea region.
Sadeq reveals that the Hankorab area was previously allocated and offered for investment, though he is unaware of which entity made the decision to offer it. He confirms that this action violates the natural reserves law, especially as the Ministry of Environment has not yet announced its responsibility for the decision.
For his part, Ayman Abdel Latif, a member of the Chamber of Tourism Companies, denies in statements to Zawia3 that any official decision has been issued by the Ministry of Tourism or any authority responsible for the tourism sector in Egypt to close Hankorab Beach or prevent tourist groups from being received there.
While the Ministry of Environment describes the ongoing work at Hankorab Beach as part of a plan to develop the necessary infrastructure for visitors, aiming to achieve a balance between environmental protection requirements and economic and social benefits from reserves, the ministry faces widespread criticism from environmental experts and civil society associations. These specialists believe that these activities come within the context of the policies of Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad, who has previously clearly announced plans to encourage investment within natural reserves.
Environmental protection associations and concerned institutions continue to sound the alarm, warning of the potential consequences of these activities on the ecosystem and biodiversity in the area, especially on sea turtle nesting sites and unique coral reefs. They caution that these actions could negatively impact Egypt’s international commitments to protect nature and lead to a decline in ecotourism, which is an important source of income for local communities and the national economy.
