Somalia’s moderate Islamist Group in central regions, Ahlusunna Waljam’a has banned cutting trees and charcoal burning, a move to save the remaining shrubs in the regions.
Speaking to the reporters in Dhusamareeb town, the group’s spokesman, Muhudin Ali said those found cutting trees in the forests will be arrested and charged in court.
Ali says the directive targets people living in Ballihowd and Haraale villages.
He said charcoal burning has contributed to the degradation of forest cover in the area.
“As Ahlusunna Administration, we have banned charcoal burning due to the decreasing forest cover in the area, Somalia is continuing being a desert because more trees are being cut down by charcoal burners,” said Ali.
He said deforestation has resulted in reduction of trees, massive soil erosion and flash floods.
In a country with little electrical power, charcoal is the predominant domestic cooking fuel and is now managed by a network of more than 30 local brokers and was also controlled by armed groups such as al-Shabaab before losing seaports they used to export from.
In 2012 the UN banned exports of Somali charcoal, but the ban was not endorsed in the areas not under the control of the government.
