Massive seizure of illegal timber
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More than a thousand tonnes of teak, hardwood and other timbers were seized during a week-long search across states and regions of Myanmar, including Nay Pyi Taw and Sagaing Region, according to the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry.
The seizure of 1,078 tonnes included 105 tonnes of teak, 637 tonnes of hardwood and 335 tonnnes of other timber. Ten engines, eight circular saws, four motor boats, 49 vehicles and 101 culprits were also taken.
“After a nationwide ban on the export of raw timber, it now travels to Techilek [a border town]. Since it cannot be exported overseas, they now carry it to the border where smuggling is possible. Therefore, wood smuggling is getting worse,” said U Ohn, chairman of the Forest Resource Environment Development and Conservation Association.
According to officials, 9 tonnes of illegal wood came from Kachin State, 4 tonnes from Chin State, 410 tonnes from Sagaing Region, 147 tonnes from Taninthayi Region, 50 tonnes from Magwe Region and 88 tonnes from Mandalay Region.
In addition, 19 tonnes of illegal timber came from Naypyitaw council estate, 12 tonnes from Mon State, 2 tonnes from Rakhine State, 4 tonnes from Yangon Region, 192 tonnes from Shan State and 109 tonnes from Ayeyawady Region.
Illegal wood exports in the country from 2001 to 2013 totalled
about 16.5 million cubic metres, with estimated value of about US$5.7 billion, according to a report from the Environment Investigation Agency.
