MYANMAR – According to the statistical data by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONREC) of National Unity Government (NUG), MONREC seized 2362 tonnes of illegal timber between March, 2022 and October, 2023.
It was stated that among the seized timbers, 1124 tonnes are teak.
Those illegal timber were arrested by the members of People’s Defense Forces (PDF) in Sagaing Division, Mandalay Division and Magway Division, mostly in Katha District, Kanbalu District, Shwe Bo District and Kawlin District of Sagaing Division.
NUG issued that they are using some of the seized timber in the humanitarian works and they fined and took action against the smugglers.
The information department of NUG mentioned that “If we seize the illegal timber, we follow the emergency procedures. We took action according to the rates and the penalty systems in the SOP (standard operation guide for the natural environment). We use the seized timber in humanitarian works, health, education and defence by the directive.”
A local who lives in Indaw Township, Sagaing Division mentioned that between 20 to 50 timber trucks used to pass through Indaw Township in a day during the dry season.
The information department of NUG released that MONREC of NUG has banned logging since the coup. But the junta council gave out licenses for logging and issued permits to extend the licenses without carefully examining the environmental impact.