Egypt's Ministry of Irrigation has removed 12,061 structures illegally erected on the banks of the River Nile since January 2015, when the National Campaign to Save the Nile was launched by then-PM Ibrahim Mahlab, the ministry announced on Monday.
According to the statement, the campaign aims to see the removal of 50,399 illegal structures along the Nile across the country so as to preserve farmland.
The statement added that in the past 24 hours, the ministry removed 16 such violations in the governorates of Gharbeya, Menoufeya, Damietta, Bani Swaif, Aswan and Qalioubiya.
Irrigation minister Mohamed Abdel-Ati said in media statement on Monday that a hotline has been launched as part of the ongoing campaign for citizens to report violations.
Violations recently removed by the ministry have included unlicensed cafes, restaurants and sporting clubs.
