النهار

BEIRUT: Lebanon will move forward with the implementation of the controversial Bisri dam project "in view of its strategic importance in providing needed water to the Greater Beirut Area."

The government's decision drew criticism from civil society groups and environmentalists.

“In the midst of bankruptcy, hunger, and the spread of the disease, the government decided today to continue with the Bisri dam, destroy agricultural lands, and waste hundreds of millions of dollars from the people's money," the 'SaveBisri' campaign said in a statement. 

The campaign stressed that "this dam, similar to other dam projects, is doomed to fail."

"It will pose a threat to the safety of the neighboring areas in Chouf, Jezzine, and Sidon, and will drag carcinogenic water to Beirut," it said, adding that it "will destroy vast areas of fertile land, which should be cultivated to support food security in Lebanon.

Activists warned the government against taking advantage of COVID-19 to continue with this project and destroy the valley. They demanded that the funds of the dam, which exceeds 600 million dollars, should be used to help needy families and fight COVID-19.

“The government is taking advantage of this situation to continue with implementing this project after the revolution has succeeded in freeing this valley,” Amani Beaini, an environmentalist activist, told Annahar. “As activists, we reject any damage to this valley.”