More Forest Rangers to reduce illegal logging- two implicated Forestry Officers disciplined

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Taku-33282

More Forest Rangers to reduce illegal logging
- two implicated Forestry Officers disciplined
Guyana Chronicle, 15 April 2007

THE Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) intends to enforce the law against
illegal logging operations with the addition of 46 Forest Rangers to
its Forest Monitoring Unit to ensure the sustainable exploitation of
forest resources, the Agriculture Ministry reported yesterday.

It said this was announced during a two-day visit to Region One
(Barima/Waini) by Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud and a team of
technical officers to address forest issues in the communities of
White Water and the Wauna Land Development Scheme.

During the meeting, the ministry said, the issue of a seizure of a
shipment of logs from the region to Georgetown was raised, in which
several lumber dealers and two forest officers were implicated and
disciplined.

The illegal shipment was uncovered following discrepancies in the
documents which warranted an investigation and Amerindian communities
and others have complained about the illegal activity, the ministry
said.

It reported that the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs is investigating
reports of a village Captain colluding with illegal foresters.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, loggers and saw millers from the
Wauna Land Development Scheme explained that several applications were
made to harvest logs from available lands, but the process was stalled
due to other applications made by Amerindian communities for title to
the same lands.

It said Mr. Persaud urged loggers and saw millers to form an
association and the Guyana Forestry Commission will explore the
possibility of allocating timber concessions to reduce illegal logging
and provide for better monitoring.

In addition, the Guyana Forestry Commission was tasked with making
available a list of certified individuals and Amerindian communities in
the region who will be eligible to harvest and sell lumber.

The ministry said farmers and residents within the community were
assured by Persaud of the Ministry of Agriculture’s commitment to
provide assistance for the desired agricultural activity suitable to
the area.

Persaud was accompanied by Mr. Tasreef Khan, Deputy Commissioner,
Guyana Forestry Commission and a team of technical and regional
officers.