New decision issued to regulate woodcutting, charcoal storage in Oman

Muscat: The Environment Authority (EA) has issued a decision 70/2024 to regulate the activity of woodcutting and use of charcoal as part of the efforts to enhance environmental protection, and ensure the sustainability of natural resources.

The regulations stipulate a ban on exporting wood and charcoal, except in the case of those products imported from abroad and re-exported by companies, as well as wood and plant coal extracted from plants, foreign trees, and species designated by the Environmental Authority.

To get permits for wood cutting and storing charcoal, it is mandatory to submit salary or pension certificates (for retirees), and vehicles used in transportation must bear license plates with Omani numbers.

The vehicle load must not exceed one and a half tonnes.

New fees for the sale and transportation of wood and charcoal include personal logging permit of RO 5 per tonne for a day while woodcutting craft permit is RO 2 for seven days and RO 10 for five shipments per tonne for 30 days.

Sale of Wood and charcoal will be RO 10 for 5 shipments per tonne for six months. As for firewood heating, it is RO 5 per year and RO 1 for transportation for two days in one shipment.

Wood and charcoal are essential in many Omani households, but their use can have negative to environment. This has forced the government to impose some fines on their sale without a license.

Anyone violating the provisions of Article 2 shall be subject to a fine of not less than RO 200 and not more than RO 1,000.

Storing more than three tonnes of wood is prohibited unless there is written approval from the Environmental Authority to store larger quantities.

If any person is found storing quantities of wood exceeding three tons without a license, a fine of not less than RO 100 and not more than RO 500 shall be imposed.

If any person is found transporting wood and charcoal in a vehicle without Omani number plates, a fine ranging from RO 50 to RO 500 will be imposed.

These amendments aim to achieve several objectives, including preserving forests by limiting unsustainable charcoal production, ensuring the sustainability of natural resources, reducing harmful emissions resulting from the burning of wood and charcoal, and promoting the national economy by encouraging investment in fruit tree cultivation and developing the charcoal industry.