Surface area:
46,200 ha
Key features
Lake Burullus is Egypt’s second-largest coastal lagoon and one of its most valuable wetlands. Separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a sandbar and connected through a single inlet, it supports extensive reedbeds, marshes, islands and fisheries.
The lake provides habitat for migratory and resident birds, supports rich biodiversity, protects the coastline, improves water quality, regulates groundwater and sustains the livelihoods of millions of people through fisheries, agriculture and aquaculture.
Main threats and pressures
- Pollution from untreated domestic wastewater, agricultural runoff and aquaculture.
- Water quality degradation and heavy metal contamination.
- Illegal fishing and overexploitation of fisheries.
- Loss of wetland area due to urbanisation, agriculture and aquaculture.
- Climate change, coastal erosion and sea-level rise.
- Habitat degradation and biodiversity loss.
- Poor water circulation and sediment accumulation.
About the project
Objectives
Priority areas
Multi-ecosystem approach
Expected impacts
Objectives
The project aims to improve the environmental quality and ecological resilience of Lake Burullus through Nature-based Solutions that reduce pollution, restore wetland functions, strengthen biodiversity conservation and secure sustainable livelihoods for local communities dependent on fisheries and agriculture.
Priority areas
- Reducing pollution at its source
- Improving water quality and circulation
- Restoring wetland habitats
- Promoting sustainable agriculture and aquaculture practices
- Strengthening fisheries management and reducing illegal fishing
- Supporting alternative livelihoods
- Enhancing biodiversity conservation
- Improving governance through coordinated stakeholder participation and updated management planning
- Capacity building and adaptive management underpin all interventions.
Multi-ecosystem approach
The project addresses Lake Burullus as an interconnected socio-ecological system linking wetlands, reedbeds, coastal waters, agricultural landscapes, aquaculture and local communities. Nature-based Solutions target pollution before it reaches the lake through constructed wetlands in rice fields, floating reed wetlands in aquaculture ponds, selective reed management and improved water circulation. Ecological restoration is combined with sustainable fisheries management, biodiversity conservation and alternative livelihoods for fishing communities. Collaboration between ministries, research institutions, NGOs, fishermen, farmers and local authorities supports integrated governance and adaptive management across the entire catchment.
Expected impacts
- Improve water quality and reduce nutrient and pollutant inputs
- Restore wetland habitats
- Enhance biodiversity
- Strengthen ecosystem resilience
- Promote sustainable fisheries management and diversified livelihoods, reducing pressure on natural resources and increasing community resilience
- Improve governance and strengthen stakeholder coordination
- Support long-term conservation and sustainable development through an updated management plan for the Lake Burullus ecosystem
News
No posts found!