GAROWE (KAAB TV) – On the occasion of World Environment Day, Puntland President Saeed Abdullahi Deni delivered a critical speech addressing the environmental challenges facing the region, notably illegal fishing and deforestation.
The president’s remarks highlighted the urgent need for environmental preservation and stringent regulatory enforcement to combat these issues.
Illegal Fishing and Deforestation
Speaking from Garowe, President Deni emphasized the severe impact of foreign illegal fishing vessels on Puntland’s coastal areas. As a semi-arid region, he described Puntland as a “victim” of these activities, noting that the semi-arid region with the longest coastline in Somalia is particularly vulnerable.
“Puntland is the most deforested area in the whole country,” President Deni stated. “In terms of destruction of marine resources by illegal unregulated foreign fishing, Puntland takes the toll because the most resource-rich marine areas in Somalia are in Puntland.”
He underscored the detrimental effects of deforestation on both the environment and the economy, calling for immediate measures to protect Puntland’s natural resources.
“Our waters have become the target of illegal fishing, and that has made Puntland a victim,” he added.
Termination of Charcoal Exports
President Deni also announced that Puntland has ceased the export of charcoal to preserve the region’s trees.
He pointed out that Sool and Sanaag are the most affected areas by deforestation.
Notably, the Dhahar area of Sanaag region has made significant progress in preventing tree cutting for charcoal, contributing to environmental preservation.
Ban on Plastic Bags
In a significant environmental protection initiative, President Deni declared a total ban on the import, trade, and sale of plastic bags in Puntland. This move makes Puntland the first regional state in Somalia to implement such a ban.
“I have been told that some of the plastic bags are imported at Bosaso port. Starting today, the Ministry of Finance is being notified through this message: there should be no plastic bags that can legally be imported into Puntland,” announced President Deni.
He instructed the security forces to prevent plastic bags from entering the region through land ports, emphasizing Puntland’s commitment to enforcing environmental regulations.
The ban aims to mitigate the environmental and ecological impacts of plastic pollution, aligning with a similar directive issued by the Federal Government in Mogadishu in early February.
Despite the federal ban, the importation of plastic bags continues.
The Somali population is grappling with the severe impacts of the climate crisis, which poses significant threats to both human and animal life.