YANGON, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities seized over 381.8 tons of illegal timbers across the country last week, said figures released by the Forest Department on Wednesday.

The seizures were made by the authorities in country's regions, states and Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory from Sept. 21 to 27.

The seized illegal timbers include over 107.1 tons of teak, 46.7 tons of hardwood and over 228 tons of other types of timbers, the department's figures said.

A total of 62 offenders were charged in connection with the cases.

Timber smuggling is mostly seen in four districts of Bago region, especially in Bago and Taungoo districts.

The Forest Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation has been making efforts to crack down on illegal logging and trading of forest products as well as to implement tree plantation projects in substitution.

Minister U Ohn Win said in a statement at the United Nations Summit on Biodiversity on Wednesday that a 10-year restoration and rehabilitation project of forests will be implemented in the country, using capital of 500 million U.S. dollars.

The minister also stressed that forest conservation and rehabilitation of ecosystem are set as the country's first priority. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)