Public Prosecution swamped with 26 daily environmental violations

• Environmental encroachments cost Kuwait over 67 million dinars annually, with thousands of tons of sea waste recovered but illegal sewage dumping persisting.

• Environmental studies show the Kuwaiti sea is contaminated with wastewater from Shuwaikh to Fahaheel, leading to frequent fish mortality and periodic occurrences of the red tide phenomenon.

• Dozens of people have been expelled for offenses including prohibited hunting, trespassing in nature reserves, illegal tree cutting, overgrazing, and sanitation violations.

Last week, the Council of Ministers instructed the General Authority for the Environment to urgently coordinate with the Fatwa and Legislation Department to implement legal measures for increasing criminal and financial penalties for environmental violations. This decision comes in response to alarming statistics from the Public Prosecution, which reported a 168% increase in environmental abuse cases.

Statistics obtained by Al-Qabas newspaper reveal that environmental misdemeanor cases have seen the highest increase among all types of cases, rising from 3,585 cases in 2022 to 9,627 cases in 2023. This translates to an average of 26 new environmental assault cases received by the Public Prosecution daily, with environmental cases making up about 25% of the total cases.

While the Ministry of Interior and other relevant authorities are intensifying efforts to reduce violations and enforce environmental laws, Al-Qabas sources report that dozens of expatriates were deported in the first half of this year for serious environmental violations. These include illegal tree cutting for profit, dumping wastewater in desert areas, overgrazing, invading natural reserves, and harming marine and terrestrial environments. The increase in these crimes highlights the urgent need for decisive action by the authorities.

Environmental encroachments

The sources pointed out that environmental encroachments cost the state over 67 million dinars annually for corrective measures and environmental restoration efforts. They noted that thousands of tons of waste dumped into the sea over the past two months have been recovered, while illegal sewage dumping in desert areas continues unchecked.

The sources also highlighted that environmental studies show the Kuwaiti sea is contaminated with wastewater from Shuwaikh to Fahaheel, leading to frequent fish mortality and periodic occurrences of the red tide phenomenon.

Various environmental violations

An informed source told Al-Qabas newspaper that environmental violations are numerous and varied, with most perpetrators being expatriates. Dozens have been expelled for offenses including prohibited hunting, trespassing in nature reserves, illegal tree cutting, overgrazing, and sanitation violations.

The source attributed the significant increase in these cases to the vigilance of the environmental police and their strict enforcement of the law, ensuring that no one is tolerated if they violate environmental regulations.

Tightening criminal, financial penalties for violators

The Council of Ministers directed the General Environment Authority to urgently coordinate with the Fatwa and Legislation Department to amend the articles related to tightening criminal and financial penalties for violators. This is to ensure the enforcement of the Environmental Protection Law No. 42 of 2014, which was amended by Law No. 99 of 2015 to protect natural reserves and prevent damage to terrestrial and marine organisms within these areas.

The council emphasized in its recent meeting that strengthening sanctions is part of its commitment to responsible environmental management and ongoing coordination with the United Nations Committee for the Rehabilitation of the Environment in Kuwait.

According to a government source, the relevant authorities are currently considering increasing penalties in the Environmental Law to deter violations, in line with the Council of Ministers’ directives.

In addition, as part of its ongoing efforts to preserve the ecosystem and prevent environmental abuses that impact the natural environment and public safety, the Ministry of Interior continued to pursue and arrest those involved in violating environmental laws.

Intensive campaigns against violators

The Public Security Sector, including the Environment Police Department and the Directorate of Security for Jahra Governorate, in cooperation with the General Authority for Environment and the General Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries Affairs, conducted security campaigns in response to complaints about illegal grazing and attacks by camel herders in the Jahra area.

These campaigns led to the arrest of three individuals for violating grazing laws and the seizure of 22 camels. Additionally, several environmental violations were detected, and the responsible parties were referred to the Public Prosecution for necessary legal action.

Intensive campaigns over the past two months have resulted in the seizure of numerous encroachments on both terrestrial and marine environments, with cases referred to the Public Prosecution.