NNA - The Ministry of Agriculture immediately responded to a complaint received via platform "X" regarding the cutting down of ancient pine trees by unknown individuals in the Hardine area of ​​Batroun District, sparking widespread outrage on social media.

Immediately after receiving the complaint, Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani issued decisive instructions to relevant officials within the Ministry to take urgent action. Accordingly, the Rural Development and Natural Resources Department of the Northern Agriculture Department, in coordination with the Tannourine Forestry and Fishing Center, dispatched a patrol to conduct a field inspection of the aforementioned site.

The inspection revealed a serious forest violation across an area estimated at approximately four thousand square meters, during which a large number of ancient pine trees were cut down. A quantity of firewood resulting from the illegal felling was immediately seized, and an official report was prepared regarding the violation. The report will be referred to the concerned judiciary to take appropriate legal action against the perpetrators.

The Agriculture Ministry emphasized in its statement that it "will not tolerate any encroachment on Lebanon's forest resources," affirming that "protecting forests and ancient trees is a top priority, and the case will be pursued until its deterrent legal conclusion."

The Ministry also called on citizens to continue reporting any environmental violations or abuses through official channels and social media platforms, ensuring its full commitment to responding immediately to any information received in this regard.

==========R.Sh.