Over 10,000 tons of illegal timber seized in four months

Over 10,000 tons of illegal timber seized in four months
Seized illegal timber lots in Sagaing Region. (Photo-Forest Department)
Seized illegal timber lots in Sagaing Region. (Photo-Forest Department)
Published 21 July 2019

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation seized over 10,000 tons of illegal timber during four months of this fiscal year, with Sagaing Region topping the list with over 3,100 tons.

From October to January of 2018-19 fiscal year, the ministry seized 10,770.52 tons of illegal teak and timber in total—3161.2732 tons in Sagaing,  1845.30 tons in Bago, 265.07 tons in Chin, 68.76 tons in Kayah, 107.74 tons in Kayin, 96.83 tons in Chin, 280.09 tons in Taninthayi, 648.06 tons in Magway, 666.96 tons in Mandalay, 234.34 tons in Nay Pyi Taw, 214.14 tons in Mon, 648.68 tons in Rakhine, 171.37 tons in Yangon, 608.87 tons in southern Shan, 737.89 tons in northern Shan, 99.89 tons in eastern Shan and 915.26 tons in Ayeyawady.

According to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) report, the Forest Department is working to ensure the enforcement of forest law systematically, carry out  special works on the two major rivers and make a crackdown on timber smuggling, in cooperation with the police force, Tatmadaw and other relevant organizations.