Egypt's Deforestation Crisis: Government Ban Ignored as Illegal Logging Thrives

Despite a prime minister's decree banning tree-felling, the practice continues unabated across several Egyptian governorates. In the countryside, once verdant areas are now suffering from rampant deforestation. Along the Mit Ghamr–Banha road, Al-Masry Al-Youm observed vehicles laden with freshly cut timber passing through security checkpoints without intervention. These trucks were seen navigating secondary roads before reaching the main highway.

A local citizen, Mohamed Shaaba, shared a photograph on social media showing a truck carrying felled trees on the Mansoura road, lamenting the lack of official inquiry into its cargo. A timber merchant in Qalyubiya, Saeed al-Sayed, confirmed that trees from Gharbiya, Daqahliya, and Qalyubiya governorates are being transported to charcoal kilns in Mit Ghamr and Kafr Shukr for export, a trade that escalates during winter. These kilns are currently operating at full capacity, with Sayed noting that the activity intensifies annually in September and October, impacting fruit orchards and street trees. He also mentioned that social media has amplified public outcry this year.

Residents in various areas of Gharbiya Governorate, including Dima, Tanta, Mahallat Marhoum, and Barma, have voiced complaints about the ongoing destruction of trees and greenery. Mohsen Ramadan from Tanta stated that while the government attempts to curb tree-cutting through official reports, perpetrators often operate under the cover of night.

An official source from the Ministry of Local Development and Environment confirmed that the minister has issued directives to governors to enforce a crackdown on illegal tree-felling. These measures include seizing timber-laden vehicles, verifying timber origins, and holding those responsible, including local officials, accountable. The source emphasized that tree cutting requires a permit, and vehicles transporting timber must carry this documentation, with non-compliance leading to legal action. The ministry is also working on amendments to the Environmental Law to explicitly criminalize unregulated tree-felling and is promoting reforestation initiatives to increase vegetation cover and expand green spaces, aiming to improve environmental quality and combat climate change.

The Cairo Governorate has encouraged citizens to plant trees in front of their properties, maintaining appropriate spacing.