Official dismissed, 3 suspects apprehended for tree felling in Kafr al-Sheikh and Gharbiya

Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad on Tuesday ruled to dismiss al-Sayed Hamza—the head of the Desouk Center and City in Kafr el-Sheikh Governorate—from his post.

This decision followed the discovery that several trees had been cut down near the Edfina Barrages in the city.

Awad also moved to refer the entire incident to the competent investigative authorities and coordinate with the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation to ensure those involved face investigation.

Images spread online showed workers cutting down mature trees in the vicinity of the Edfina Barrages in Metoubes and loading them onto a pickup truck, presumably to sell them.

In response, Hamza—following the decision to remove him from office—asserted that the Edfina Barrages fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Irrigation, not the city council.

He said, “I have no authority over the barrages; I cannot even remove a single nail from the site without consulting them.”

Regarding the incident, he explained: “The events took place starting September 1st; a pruning committee from the Irrigation Directorate cut down 53 trees between September 1-8—within the Barrages area—loaded them onto their own vehicles, and transported them to the Directorate’s warehouses. This occurred prior to the Cabinet’s decision banning the felling of trees.”

He continued, noting that “the incident recently came to light after citizens circulated photos and complaints on social media.”

Arrests made

Security forces from the Gharbiya Security Directorate also apprehended three individuals accused of cutting down a massive tree near the al-Mahalla Industrial School—located in the First District of al-Mahalla al-Kubra—and making off with it, following a report filed by the district administration.

The Director of Gharbiya Security formed an investigative team to solve the case, apprehend the perpetrators, and review surveillance camera footage from the area.

It was revealed that three individuals—a timber merchant, a retired local government employee, and a residential building watchman— committed the act.

They had conspired to cut down the massive tree and sell its wood for profit.

Detectives successfully apprehended the suspects, initiated legal proceedings, and referred them to the investigative authorities.

The Ministry of Agriculture also denied that trees were being cut down at the Fish Garden in Zamalek, asserting that all trees and plants there are in good condition, with the exception of a single tree that had fallen due to the natural end of its lifespan.