More reserves to be built in north Kuwait

As part of its efforts to rehabilitate the desert environment, the Ministry of Interior — represented by the Environment Police Department – intends to cooperate with the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) to transform five areas in the northern part of the country into natural reserves, reports Al-Rai daily quoting sources.

Sources disclosed the owners of livestock pens and camping sites in Umm Qadeer, Khabari Al-Awazem, East Jahra, Al-Liah and Al-Shaqaya will be informed about the need to vacate these areas soon in preparation for their declaration as natural reserves. Sources confirmed the concerned authorities have been instructed to complete the necessary procedures for putting fences and restricting access to these areas.

Sources said this is in compliance with the directive to rehabilitate these areas after the destruction caused by the brutal Iraqi invasion, in addition to the contamination of Kuwaiti soil during the war as a result of the use of radioactive substances that contributed to the destruction of wildlife and soil.

Sources revealed a budget of about $1 billion has been allocated for this purpose, indicating this amount is part of the Iraqi compensation. Sources explained: “Vacating and fencing these sites, as well as restricting access are aimed at easing the environmental rehabilitation works; such that conditions of these areas return to how they were before the Iraqi invasion — a process that will take several years.”