Cairo: In a proactive move against environmental violations, Kuwait deported 28 expatriates last year, as confirmed by a security official. Notably, the nationalities of the individuals deported were not disclosed, reflecting a broader effort to crack down on offenses detrimental to the country’s environmental well-being.
Brigadier Hussain Al Ajami, Chief of the Environment Police at the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry, highlighted that the measures were part of an overarching strategy to safeguard nature reserves. In addition to the expatriate deportations, 133 Kuwaiti citizens faced legal consequences in 2023 for breaching the country’s environmental laws and engaging in transgressions within nature reserves.
Brig. Al Ajami, in an interview with Kuwaiti newspaper Al Rai, underscored the significance of protecting nature reserves and outlined the various violations encountered. These violations encompassed unauthorized entry, poaching, illegal camping, and even instances of physical altercations with security personnel.
Kuwaiti law prescribes stringent penalties for unauthorized entry into nature reserves, including imprisonment for up to one year and fines ranging from KD500 to KD5,000. Building on these legal provisions, Kuwait unveiled a comprehensive plan in 2022 to deport expatriates found guilty of committing serious environmental offenses.
Under the implemented decree, environment inspectors are empowered to hand over foreign offenders to nearby police stations as an initial step towards their subsequent deportation from Kuwait. Since the introduction of these measures, numerous individuals, including expatriates and Kuwaiti citizens, have faced deportation for a range of environmental transgressions.
These infractions involve improper disposal of construction and liquid waste, as well as mishandling chemical substances, posing threats to the ecological balance. Notably, employers of expatriates implicated in environmental violations also face penalties if it is established that they guided their employees to dispose of waste in non-designated areas.
Given that foreigners constitute approximately 3.2 million of Kuwait’s overall population of 4.6 million, the enforcement of strict environmental regulations becomes crucial in preserving the nation’s natural heritage and ensuring sustainable practices. The multifaceted approach, combining deportation, legal repercussions, and heightened awareness, reflects Kuwait’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.