A general view of the Boursa Street in the Egyptial capital Cairo. AFP
These directives come amid widespread anger expressed by residents and social media users over the removal of thousands of trees and green spaces nationwide. Many green areas have been removed to make way for road-widening projects undertaken by the state over the past years.
In Cairo alone, around 910,000 square meters of green spaces were cleared between 2017 and 2020, said MP Maha Abdel-Nasser in June, citing reports and statistics on environmental affairs.
She called on the government to hold those responsible for cutting down trees and reducing green spaces accountable.
Unauthorized tree cutting
A statement released by Cairo governorate on Tuesday said that Governor Saber has ordered all the governorate’s districts and the Cairo Cleaning and Beautification Authority to prohibit the cutting and over-pruning of trees without a prior permit from a committee formed by the governor, under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment.
He also directed an increase in tree plantation and urged civil society and NGOs to participate in afforestation efforts while raising awareness among citizens about the need to preserve green areas.
He pointed out that several parks are expected to open over the coming period as part of the governorate’s plan to promote afforestation.
These include the 15th of May, Andalusia, Al-Amal, and Al-Fustat parks, he added.
Furthermore, Saber pledged to support the implementation of the 100 Million Trees presidential initiative – one of the country’s commitments to mitigating the impacts of climate change.
100 Million Trees
The first phase of the “100 Million Trees” initiative saw the implementation of 7.6 million trees for EGP 200 million. So far, an additional 2.5 million trees have been planted in the ongoing second phase.
Launched in 2022 ahead of the Sharm El-Sheikh UN climate conference COP27, the initiative targets planting a total of 100 million trees by 2029.
The plan includes planting both timber and fruit-bearing varieties across around 9,900 sites nationwide, covering a total area of 6,600 feddans and utilizing treated wastewater.
The move will help double the green area nationwide and adapt to the climatic conditions of each governorate, especially with the onset of summer and the rising temperatures.
Addressing implications
Despite these efforts, over the past decade, Cairo and other governorates have witnessed the removal of vast green areas and trees to make way for major road expansions and development projects.
Green activists have repeatedly warned about the detrimental effects of tree cutting on people's quality of life, as trees provide shade and help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
In a recent national dialogue organized by the Ministry of Environment, government and parliament representatives, environmental experts and specialists, and NGOs came together to discuss the preservation of green spaces, particularly trees.
The dialogue sought to develop clear recommendations for regulating the treatment of trees and to criminalize cutting them down without legal justification.
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