Cairo: Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad has issued directives to all governorates to preserve and sustain trees, emphasizing the ongoing implementation of the presidential initiative to plant 100 million trees. The minister's periodical stressed the critical role of trees in enhancing environmental and climatic conditions, urging local authorities to bolster tree-planting efforts and increase tree numbers.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Awad instructed the heads of centers, cities, districts, and villages across all governorates to monitor and address any encroachments on trees located in public spaces, such as streets, squares, parks, or markets. These encroachments, including damaging, cutting down, or uprooting trees, violate Article 162 of the Penal Code. The minister highlighted the necessity of filing reports against violators and taking appropriate measures to prevent such activities.

Awad further clarified that no tree may be cut down or uprooted without obtaining the governor's approval and consulting the Environmental Affairs Agency, as outlined in Environmental Law No. 4 of 1994 and its amendments. This procedure ensures that tree protection measures are in line with legal provisions to safeguard environmental interests.

In addition to these directives, Awad addressed the ministry's role in supervising the presidential initiative to plant 100 million trees. She instructed that the head of each governorate's subcommittee must urgently provide the ministry's central committee with updated information on subcommittee members, a report on their activities, and a work plan for the next three months. This information must be submitted within one week to ensure that the central committee, established by Ministerial Decree No. 524 of 2025, effectively monitors and supports the initiative's progress.