Al-Masry Al-Youm reports ongoing removal of old trees in three governorates

Al-Masry Al-Youm reported ongoing deforestation in Luxor, Assiut, and Qalyubiya governorates, even though authorities have issued directives against it. On Monday, unidentified individuals in Luxor cut down several old trees on the Luxor–Aswan agricultural road near Esna, which had previously helped reduce high temperatures. Esna police are to be informed to take legal action against the culprits, according to Ahmed al-Hawary, head of the Esna Center and City.

An urgent directive will be issued to village council heads to inspect the eastern agricultural road and take appropriate measures against violators. In Assiut, the Abnoub district, once lined with trees, has turned into barren expanses after a wave of indiscriminate tree cutting in recent days, leaving only roots behind. Residents of New Minya City's Second and Third Districts expressed outrage over what they called an "unjustified massacre" of trees, claiming that the city authority recently removed old trees, some over 20 years old.

Saeed Ahmed, a tree trader in Qalyubiya, revealed that some residents are now selling mature trees for LE 3,000-6,000 per ton, depending on the species. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly urged strict adherence to directives banning tree felling without prior approval from the Ministers of Local Development and Environment. During a Council of Governors meeting, Madbouly reviewed the "Greening All Governorates" initiative, aiming to turn cleared land into green spaces by planting trees along main roads, highways, city and village entrances, and road medians.

He also called for consulting experts to choose suitable tree species and use irrigation water from tertiary treatment plants.