Myanmar: 2018-19 harvesting target announced by MTE

Source:
ITTO/Fordaq
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The Myanma Timber Enterprise (MTE) has announced its harvesting target for 2018-19. MTE plans to harvest 7,657 teak trees from the 19,210 trees defined in the Forest Department’s Annual Allowable Cut (AAC). In addition, 173,529 non-teak hardwoods will be harvested from the 592,330 trees in the AAC.

This equates to approximately 10,400 H.tons of teak and 330,000 H.tons of non-teak hardwoods. This openness and transparency by MTE has been warmly welcomed by its critics.

When logging resumed after the nation-wide moratorium in 2016-17 MTE suspended private sector logging contracts. For 2018-19 harvesting will be undertaken by MTE but, because of a lack of capacity, MTE has said it may need to conclude contracts with the private sector for the use of logging trucks.

The ‘home of teak’ Bago Mountain Range at risk from illegal logging

Despite the efforts of the government and Forest

Department to protect forest resources and ensure sustainable harvesting it has been reported that illegal logging is still rampant in the country even in the Bago Mountain Range.

In late January a member of parliament presented pictures taken along the road used by illegal loggers in the Bago Mountain Range and said these demonstrate weak law enforcement and called for more effective measure to combat illegal activities.

The Forest Department has admitted it does not have the capacity to tackle the widespread illegal activities. Commentators suggest that other law enforcement agencies should be brought in to assist the Forest Department.

This problem will not be easy to solve as local communities are deeply involved in the illegal logging network. To address this many are suggesting civil society organisations operating in the area could play an active role to persuade the local people not to become involved.

This is easier said than done when people in the areas affected by illegal logging have few opportunities to earn money.

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