Stabroek News
 | Two forest officers have been disciplined after they were implicated in an illegal shipment of logs from Region One (Barima/Waini) to the city. According to the Agriculture Ministry, the illegal log shipment was uncovered after discrepancies were detected in the related documents. The two officers were implicated, as were several lumber dealers. Amerindian communities and others have complained about such occurrences and Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, is investigating reports that a village captain is colluding with illegal foresters. During a two-day visit to White Water and the Wauna Land Development Scheme, Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud told villagers that the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) intends to enforce the law against illegal logging operations. He disclosed that there are 46 new rangers in the GFC's Forest Monitoring Unit to ensure the sustainable exploitation of forest resources. Loggers and saw millers from the Wauna Land Development Scheme said several applications were made to harvest logs from the available land, but the process was stalled because of other applications made by Amerindian communities for title to the lands. Persaud urged loggers and saw millers to form an association and noted that the GFC would explore the possibility of allocating timber concessions to reduce illegal logging and provide for better monitoring. Additionally, the GFC was tasked with providing a list of certified individuals and Amerindian communities in the region who would be eligible to harvest and sell lumber. Persaud assured the farmers and other residents that the Ministry of Agriculture would continue to provide assistance for the desired agriculture activity suitable for the area. | |
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