EGYPT SOUTH VALLEY DEVELOPMENT

GROUP MEMBERS

KARTIK KATWAL HIMANSHU SINGLA AKSHAJ SAPEHIA UDAY PAL SINGH ABHISHEK KUMAR

- B130030096- B130030097- B130030098- B130030099- B130030100

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION NEED OF DEVLOPING VALLEY

OVERVIEW OF PROJECT A GLANCE AT EGYPT RIVER NILE DISTRIBUTION SHEIKH ZAYED CANAL MUBARAK PUMPING STATION KEY PLAYERS AND EXPENDITURE CIVIL ENGEENERING INVOLVEVMENT ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES HEALTH ISSUE OF WORKERS SHORTCOMINGS CURRENT STATUS CONCLUSION REFRENCES

South valley development or Toshka project initiated by Egypt’s president Hosni Mubarak in 1997.Developed in Toshka, East Oweinat and the New Governorate Oases .Designed to-o Ease population in the Nile Valley. o To increase Egypt’s economy.o Change approximate 740,000 acres of desert into habitable land allowing 6 million people to live there by 2017.Creating over 10,000 job opportunities.

INTRODUCTION

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NEED OF DEVELOPING VALLEY

Egypt is the 3rd populous nation in Africa continent and 15th in the world and the population is increasing at a reckless rate. It is expected to reach 120 millions in next 20 years.

The only source to meet the demands of water of this huge population is the river nile and Egypt is settled along its banks from ancient times and now the places are becoming overcrowded.

In order to shift people from this old valley a new concept to develop a valley i.e. south valley development by transferring water from river nile to desert areas of country so as to develop the barren land to use it for living, agricultural aspects and ultimately boosting the country’s economy.

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OVERVIEW OF PROJECT Toshka project in 1997 was proposed as part of Gamal Abdel Nasser’s

original plans for the High Dam in Aswan which was abandoned in 1964.

Toshka project’s original objectives were set in two phases: in the first one, the Sheikh Zayed Canal would be completed and 226800 hectares would be reclaimed. At the end of the second phase in 2017, a total of two million feddans would have been recovered from the Western Desert.

The project was to dig a 240 kilometre canal out in the Western Desert to supply Lake Nasser’s water to make new valley for 20% Egyptians.

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Egypt is a country in African northern part, most of its territory is covered by the large regions of the Sahara Desert. Egypt has coastlines on both the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea but river nile is the onlySource of water.Over the past 20 years, the population of Egypt has risen from 20 to nearly 70 million and it has been predicted that this trend will continue and will be reaching 120 millions in next 20 years.Nile covers mere 5.5 % area of Egypt but is the most important region as the country's only cultivable regions and supporting about 99% of the population.80% of water is consumed in agriculture and Only 3.5 % area is cultivated.

A GLANCE AT EGYPT

Egypt is about 98 % desert to feed ever growing population expansion of agriculture is a must which can be achieved by increasing the irrigated land. So there is a need for Egypt to carry such a large projects on irrigation and land reclamation.There is no pattern of rains in Egypt they are totally unpredictable, there are many regions which receives very low rainfall whereas there are regions which receives no rainfall throughout the year.Heat is harshest in the south and west where summer temperatures reach a sweltering high of 49 degrees Celsius.

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Colonial distribution of water in river Nile- Egypt was liable to use 48 billion

cubic meters meters of the Nile flow per year respectively

• The flow of the Nile during January 29 to July 15 (dry season) would be reserved for Egypt.• Egypt reserves the right to monitor the Nile flow in the upstream countries.

RIVER NILE WATER DISTRIBUTION

According to 1959 nile waters treaty Egypt uses 55.5 billions cusec of water per year while Sudan has a share of 18.5 billion cusec of water per year.

North Africa and the Middle East is home to more than 6% of the globe's population, yet holds less than 2% of the planet's renewable fresh water, so many of Egypt's neighbours view the project with understandable concern.

There is a deep concern with the other middle east nations regarding their share in river nile which has just been the cup of tea of Egypt and Sudan.

Division of sudan into north and south have risen the dispute between both these new nations of sharing various resources such as water has given an indication of tension in the middle east.

There is an annual 1 billion m³ of rainfall, 7.5 billion m³ of ground water and 5 billion m³ of recycled agricultural drainage water in Egypt.

In 2013 there have been issues between Ethiopia and Egypt regarding water share in river nile. Ethiopia wanted to divert flow of river nile for their hydel project but Egypt was not in that favour.

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SHEIKH ZAYED CANAL

The volume of water involved in the whole of the project so as to transport water involving large pipes could have added more expenditure to world’s largest project.

Use of canal was must step to transport the water in a cheaper and effective way so sheikh zayed canal came into existence.

The canal was named in recognition of the $100 million donation to the project, made through the Abu Dhabi development fund, by Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan El Nahayan, president of the United Arab Emirates.

It is more of an artificial river flowing at a distance of 240 km.

The project led to the development of the city of Abu Simbel, where there was increased in population from 2000 people to 21 thousand people present, as well as the development of the port of Abu Simbel.

Aswan and Abu Simbel got good connectivity in terms of road and transportation.

There was significant increase in number of crafts workshops , restaurants, banks and 17 thousand jobs. 

Sheikh zayed canal

Mubarak pumping station

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Mubarak pumping station is said to be the centrepiece of Toshka project. It was built around a budget of $436 million and was completed in march 2005.Mubarak pumping station is the Biggest pumping station in world.There are total 24 pumps which operates at 360 cubic metres discharge per second.The structural system that supports the station is made up of steel mini-piles, which are cheap and earthquake resistant. The underwater areas of the station use a jointless design i.e.  This design means that the structure is watertight even at a temperature range from 0 to 50 degrees C. 

MUBARAK PUMPING STATION

There are 24 vertical pumps which are installed in two parallel lines along both sides of the station. The pumps are load-controlled and have adjustable speed settings.

At any one time, only 18 of the pumps are running. Three are used for maintenance needs, and three are kept in reserve.

Mubarak pumping station

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The project sponsor is the Government of Egypt's Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.

Hamza Associates and Lahmeyer produced the design of the Mubarak Pumping Station and the construction consortium partners were Arabian International, Skanska and Hitachi.

The electrical engineering was done by ABB. Morris Material Handling provided cranes and Quantum Hydrometrie installed the ultrasonic discharge measurement systems.

The project development and management team comprises a strategic partnership of KADCO and Sun World.

KEY PLAYERS

World’s largest project costing- $90 billions20% funded by government of Egypt rest 80% by private sector.Investment to Toshka region- $1.6 billions Mubarak pumping station estimated at - $436 millions Installation cost of east Oweinat - $422 billions Sheikh canal - $1.6 billionsInfrastructure - $550 millions

EXPENDITURE

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CIVIL ENGEENERING INVOLVEVMENT Toshka project had a starting budget of 90 billions $ therefore much was at stake

while developing this valley and point to prove to civil engineers that it can be a reality which is surely going to boost Egypt’s economy.

Mubarak pumping station world’s largest pumping station is the biggest achievement for the engineers as they have successfully developed the main part of pumping water.

Due to high saline levels and the presence of underground aquifers in the area act as a major obstacle to the project. As the land is irrigated, the salt would mix with the aquifers and would reduce access to potable water.

Clay minerals in the soil are causing technical problems to the big wheeled structures used to irrigate the land. The wheels gets stuck in a little bowl created by wet clay that dried. These are the problems coming in implementing technology which is causing delay of project but hope so researchers find a solution to it.

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Dealing with the complex problems arising from rapid population growth in Egypt that include jobs, food, housing, health, education, and transportation. Doubling the amount of cultivated land in Upper Egypt. Utilizing the massive amounts of water stored in Lake Nasser. Facilitating power generation projects.Offering venues for navigation and waterway transportation. Promoting and developing fishery, tourism and recreational activities. Reaching new areas with fresh water and creating favourable conditions for the south-to-northwest water transfer.

ADVANTAGES

Relieving Lake Nasser from silt accumulating on its bed since the building of Aswan High Dam in the 1960s and alleviating its negative effects on the lake’s capacity as well as the High Dam’s stability. Construction of the new Toshka City that would serve a population of 5 million to relieve the overcrowded old valley. Yielding botanical and animal resources that can be utilized in several pharmaceutical and fish- processing industries. Developing an environment in the area of the new project to attract wild birds and animals. Including solar and wind energy development used in generating clean electrical power to meet expected demand.

Unrealistic water resources management by diverting water badly needed in the traditionally most fertile land of the Nile Valley. There will be shortage of water in Egypt if other Nile basin countries to the south should build dams and divert some of the flow.The negative effects of this project may have on the River Nile ecology, particularly on wildlife, groundwater table level, irrigation, urbanization and pollution. Egypt is pouring money into desert reclamation—wasted finances that could have been used more productively in other urgent needs such as health care, housing and education.

DISADVANTAGES

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Egypt is facing a growing agricultural shortfall and has become the world's biggest wheat buyer, buying about half of its wheat.

A glimpse of success in new valley with orchards of grapes and fields of wheat, beans and peanuts in operation, but nearly all of the produce is exported because that's more profitable for the farming companies.

Three quarters of the area is allotted to the cultivation of cereal crops and the remainder is devoted to vegetables and fruits, such as grapes, green beans,strawberries,asparagus, palm and watermelon.

Upgrade horticultural crops marketing efficiency whose production is 19 million tons yearly.

AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Increase the annual rate of growth of agricultural production to 4%. In upper Egypt and Oases which are a part of new valley land will be

allocated to educated youths and farmers for more production. Increase edible oil crops production to substitute imports through the

expansion of sunflower and soybeans. Various organisations such as WTO, EU and USA has encouraged by

accepting the exports from Egypt.

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Environmental levels of vibration, noise, heat stress, total suspended particulates and dust were measured in the different activities of the project.

Workers were classified according to the nature of occupational exposure into three groups namely; earth workers, concrete workers and administration workers.

It was found that musculoskeletal disorders, urinary tract troubles, ear-nose-throat (ENT) problems were more in earth and concrete workers.

The current use of modern technology accounted for the low levels of environmental exposure factors, as well as the high safety standards.

HEALTH ISSUES OF WORKERS

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SHORTCOMINGS

The project having budget nearly 100 billions $ can also have loopholes in its fully operational and making a best use for the purpose it was built.

There have been no transparency by the Water Resources and Irrigation Ministry in showing all the studies it conducted before the start of project.

There is no documented environmental impact assessment done on the sight before the project was launched.

It is believed that Toshka project could have caused great damage to the many ancient sites found in Kharga Oasis.

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CURRENT STATUS

In 2011 there was revolution in Egypt and  President Hosni Mubarak was overthrown and there was unstability around whole country.

There was a temporary hold on project development after the president was dethroned. There were speculations that the name of the project will be changed but so far no change is noticed.

Many organisations has an image of failure of the project but still people have hope especially people involved in agriculture.

Although initial the deadline of the project is 2017 but it is now shifted 2020 hope so the project should be flourished to give all facilities to the Egyptians.

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Sheikh zayed canal

Abu simbel

Future settlements

New valley development

CONCLUSION

South valley development is a great thinking from its planners as far as condition and demands of Egypt are concerned.

It seriously lagged in planning the valley after going for such a large investment. By the money they are spending they could have created heaven itself.

By the year 2020 if Egypt’s dream will come true and it will surely going to eliminate serious issues like unemployment , food and shelter for people.

If we believe Toshka project to be ready in terms of infrastructure, the real success of the project will be when the people who will be settling there will realise the importance of place and will give their best efforts to keep up the desired need from them.

South valley development project has already reclaimed 0.21million hectare by the year 2002 and at the end of the project some 1.43m ha will have been reclaimed.

This will increase the occupied area of the country from 4% to 24%. If the project failed to deliver to its capability all the efforts made by

the organisations and people associated with it will go in vain otherwise project will surely going to turn the desert into green gardens capable of producing vegetables, fruits, livestock , poultry and many more.

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Wahby, W. S. (2001). Egypt 2001—Report on a study abroad course in Egypt. Charleston: Eastern Illinois University.

http://www.egyptianagriculture.com/nile_river.html

Let’s do it for the Kids: Toshka, Children’s Literature and Political Propaganda research papers by Emma Deputy

http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Counprof/Egypt/Egypt.htmlhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17216985

http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/2010/100709Top_Construction_projects/slide.asp?slide=2

REFERENCES

Toshka Project - Mubarak Pumping Station / Sheikh Zayed Canal, Egypt

South Valley Development Project in Toshka, Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation

http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/egypts-new-nile-valley-grand-plan-gone-bad

http://www.groundbreakermag.com/ten-largest-projects/

http://ecouncil.ae/Sites/GSEC/Navigation/EN/MediaCentre/government-news,did=242418.html

http://www.geema.org/documentos/1316174204H4mGY9nk1Ia03EW6.pdf

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