Muscat – A group of expatriate workers have been arrested for logging without obtaining permission, according to the Environment Authority (EA).

A statement issued by EA on Monday said, ‘The Environment Department in South Batinah governorate, in cooperation with Royal Oman Police, arrested expatriate workers in a farm who were burning a large quantity of wood derived from wild trees to produce charcoal for supply in local markets. Legal procedures have been initiated against the offenders.’

An EA official said, “Under Omani laws, it is illegal to cut trees and damage green cover. Additionally, the laws facilitate activation of programmes to combat desertification in cooperation with international organisations. The authority is making efforts to reduce damage to the environment, such as logging and burning. Any person who cuts or burns a tree or damages vegetation in any region will be punished with imprisonment and a fine.”

The authority calls on everyone to cooperate and report any violations of wildlife via the hotline 80071999.