Khalid Al-Jabri Okaz/Saudi Gazette MADINAH — Timber loggers are intensifying their ruthless assault on green forests in the absence of deterrent laws. The Ministry of Agriculture's branch in Madinah held a symposium on the evils of arbitrary tree cutting on the environment. According to a report published by the symposium, there are 87 types of trees in the Kingdom. These trees maintain the environmental balance and provide food and shelter for a variety of wildlife. “Alsamar” trees grow primarily in Madinah, and are best suited for the environment. They have low water needs and are a source for manufacturing the best coal. The tree also protects the soil from erosion, and its flowers are a good source of nectar for bees. Its leaves and seeds are used for medical purposes. It is named the pearl of trees, and yet its existence is being threatened. Experts say that illegal timber logging increases the rate of sand shifts, which in turn causes damage to farms. It also increases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and raises ambient temperature. The Ministry of Agriculture stressed the importance of monitoring all forests in the Kingdom. It also banned the sale of local timber and coal in the market. The ministry has also ceased issuing logging licenses since 1419AH, and banned the exporting of timber and coal. It has appointed a number of forest rangers with communication equipment to monitor the forests. Despite all these measures, local timber and coal is plentiful in the market. The increasing demand is due to the needs of restaurants, cafes, private resorts and campers. Modern technology like electrical saws and four-wheel drive vehicles that access remote areas has also contributed to the expansion of logging. Cap. Khalid Al-Hasuni of Madinah police said that the Ministry of Interior has notified provincial authorities to monitor and apprehend unlicensed transporters of timber and coal. The director of public administration of Madinah agriculture directorate, Ibrahim Al-Hejaili said maintaining the environment is a religious duty. Tree cutting is one of the most important reasons for the deterioration of wildlife and soil erosion in the region, he added. Taher Abu Teraah, faculty member at Taibah University in Madinah, concurs and adds that indiscriminate felling of will cause the extinction of some rare wildlife species. The head of Madinah city council, Salah Al-Raddadi, said the average cost of replanting one “Alsamar” tree is SR180, and the total cost of replanting the damaged areas is approximately SR12 million. He added that Saudi Arabia meets its timber and coal needs through imports, especially from Eastern Europe.
