Abdirashid Said Mohamed, the Coordinator for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in the Sahil Region, stated that the Ministry has invested significant effort in combating land degradation, protecting vegetation, and preventing wildlife trafficking; he noted that the production of charcoal from the *garanwaa* tree has been specifically regulated.
Abdirashid Said Mohamed explained that vehicles transporting charcoal into the city of Berbera are inspected to verify that the cargo originated from the designated site in the Biyoolay area and was produced from the *garanwaa* tree.
He added that any vehicle found carrying charcoal that does not comply with these regulations is subject to a fine, with the proceeds deposited into the government treasury.
The Coordinator also stated that the Ministry, in collaboration with the environmental police and the Coast Guard, closely monitors wildlife protection and takes legal action against anyone caught trafficking wildlife within the country.
Additionally, Abdirashid noted that tree seedlings have been distributed across the districts of the Sahil Region, and he commended the efforts to beautify the city of Berbera and plant trees. He specifically highlighted the collaboration he maintained on these matters with the former mayor of Berbera, Abdishakur Iddin.
Finally, the Ministry of Environment’s coordinator for the Sahil region commended the rural community, praising the role they play in raising awareness and protecting the environment and wildlife. He urged the community to further strengthen their cooperation with the Ministry in order to safeguard natural resources and mitigate environmental degradation.
