National Authority for Remote Sensing participates in the work of the National Project for the Development and Upgrading of Egyptian Lakes

Under the auspices of Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, headed by Dr. Islam Abu Al-Magd, participated in the work of the national project for the development and upgrading of the Egyptian lakes, in cooperation with the relevant research and operational bodies, in order to take advantage of the technical and scientific capabilities of the Commission in this field, as well as the use of high-resolution satellite data and images, through which all changes on different lakes and water bodies can be monitored and tracked.
Dr. Islam Abu Al-Magd confirmed that through satellite imagery, the Authority is currently integrating field studies and field surveys with the production of up-to-date bathymetric (ground) maps to assist the executives in determining the areas and quantities of refining and the required depths on the entire water surface of the Berlus Lake.
The President of the National Authority for Remote Sensing explained that the Authority was making a bottom map of the Berlus lake and determining the proportion and quality of aquatic plants scattered within the water surface to determine the rates of depuration to be carried out from those plants so as not to affect the environmental balance within the lake ' s water surface, noting the need for environmental impact assessment studies to be carried out before, during and after carrying out work under the supervision of the Ministry of the Environment; to ensure that environmental balance was not compromised and to maximize its utilization, with the participation of a specialized scientific committee comprising university, body and research centre professors from specialists in the field.
Dr. Sameh Al-Kafrawi, Head of the Authority ' s Department of Marine Science and member of the scientific team involved in the project, explained that the Authority had carried out numerous studies and research in this area on a large number of Egyptian lakes, the most important of which (Little Lake, Merows and Idko), and had had a major impact in verifying the data and information that had helped decision makers and executives to clean up aquatic plants and cream sediments, so as not to affect the environmental balance within the water surface.
Dr. Sameh Al-Kafroui stressed the importance of aquatic plants for the conservation of fish in frosttimes and severe cold in winter, as well as for the reduction of overfishing. Water plants are also considered to be a habitat for livestock and a home for migratory birds, and are used by fishermen for the manufacture of drapes and cavities. They are also important in reducing the increase in salinity in storm and nuclear times. The first wall is considered during the flow of salt water from the Mediterranean Sea through bogies. Economic returns can be maximized as a source of feed and others. It is also considered one of the most important sources of income for the inhabitants of these areas.