Despite government ban, tree-felling persists across Egypt

Despite a government ban on indiscriminate tree-felling, the practice continues to spread across several Egyptian governorates. Evidence of this crime was observed along the Mit Ghamr–Banha road, where two vehicles loaded with freshly cut tree trunks passed through security checkpoints at Sarhagt al-Kubra and Kafr Shukr without any inquiry about their origin or destination.

Local citizens, as well as merchants and residents, have taken notice of the ongoing felling of trees in areas such as Gharbiya, Daqahliya, and Qalyubiya governorates. These trees are reportedly being transported to charcoal kilns in Mit Ghamr and Kafr Shukr, where they are prepared for export. The charcoal production is said to intensify during the winter months.

In response to public outrage fueled by social media, the Ministry of Local Development and Environment has issued strict orders to governors to crack down on the illegal felling of trees. The orders include seizing vehicles carrying cut trees, verifying the origin of the timber, and holding responsible parties accountable. Moreover, an urgent amendment to the Environmental Law is being considered to explicitly criminalize such practices.

The Cairo Governorate has encouraged citizens to plant trees in front of their homes and shops, maintaining a distance of four to five meters between each tree. These initiatives aim to increase vegetation cover and green spaces across the country, ultimately improving environmental quality and combating climate change.