Saudi Arabia: 150 tonnes of illegal firewood seized

Cairo: Around 150 tonnes of illegally cut firewood have been seized in several parts of Saudi Arabia where authorities have stepped up a clampdown on unlawful logging to protect the environment, according to local media.

The haul was confiscated in the regions of Riyadh, Medina, Tabuk, Al Jawf and Ha’il in joint campaigns mounted by the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Agriculture as well as the Saudi Special Forces for Environmental Security.

In Riyadh, 40 tonnes of local firewood were seized in a warehouse and legal procedures were taken against the violators.

As part of the pro-environment campaign “Let’s Make it Green”, environment teams in collaboration with security agencies carried out inspection tours of firewood warehouses in Tabuk.

Several trucks loaded with local firewood were, meanwhile, seized in Al Jauf.

Last month, Saudi prosecutors warned against harming vegetation and unlawful tree cutting , pointing out that related violations are punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of SR30 million.