Coastal Violations in Beirut

In Lebanon, the private sector and real estate organizations have been implicated in violating legal and environmental regulations, leading to a loss of public space, destruction of natural habitats, and pollution.

According to Nahnoo NGO, only 20% of the Lebanese coast, stretching over 220 square kilometers in length, is open to the public. This includes just a single public beach in Beirut, Ramlet el Bayda. The organization's study, conducted in 2022, revealed that the total number of coastal violations in Lebanon stands at 1,108, covering an area of 6.2 million square meters. In Beirut, the total area of violations is more than 90,000 meter square. Notably, only 77 of these 1,108 institutions implicated in these violations possess legitimate permits.

The construction of resorts, restaurants, and other commercial establishments along Beirut's coast has resulted in significant loss of public beach access. This is a direct violation of Lebanese laws which stipulate that the sea, its shores, and its sand are considered a public utility and should remain accessible to the public.

However, environmentalists, locals, and NGOs like Nahnoo and the "Green Southerners" are actively combating these violations by mapping them out, raising legal actions, spreading awareness, and pushing local authorities for corrective measures. These grassroots initiatives, including public demonstrations, have led to significant mobilization and successful outcomes such as the protection of public access to Abou Ali beach.

The "Civil Campaign to Protect the Dalieh of Raouche” has emerged as a key advocacy group, championing the importance of preserving open-access spaces and Beirut's ecological and cultural diversity.

Collectively, these grassroots endeavors empower communities to actively participate in coastal preservation.