Kathmandu (Mizzima) – Illegal logging, a long-standing moneymaker for unscrupulous businessmen in Burma and China, is apparently experiencing a significant decline, according to the latest report from international watchdog Global Witness.
Since 2005, the volume of logs illegally transported across Burma’s northern border, primarily from Kachin State, has receded by more than 70 percent, finds the Global Witness study – A Disharmonious Trade. However, the group is quick to point out that some 90 percent of timber imported to Kunming in China’s Yunnan’s Province in 2008 was still illegal in nature – amounting to 270,000 m3 of logs.
While 15 tons of illegal wood used to cross the frontier every 7 minutes only a scant 5 years previously, Global witness now reports a drastic decline in the volume of trade, which historically centers on teak.
Nonetheless, cautions Global Witness’ Head of Forest Policy Jon Buckrell, “Clearly action taken by authorities in China and Burma to combat illegal logging in Kachin State has had a significant positive impact. But they should do more to close down the remaining industry, which is almost wholly reliant on the illegal timber supply from Burma.”
For some years now both the Burmese and Chinese governments have recognized the economically debilitative trade in illegal timber, stepping up measures to counter the transaction.
As far back as early 2006, Burmese Brigadier General Thein Aung stated, "This [illegal timer trade] has serious repercussions for Myanmar's [Burma's] economy and for legitimate timber exporters. Exporters find it hard to compete with smuggled timber on the international market, resulting in decreasing prices and a decline in production in the wood-based industry."
"I am most afraid of getting caught by the Burmese military government army,” recounts logger Nabang from China in the study, “Every big logging company has a walkie-talkie system to pass on information and news between the logging workers and to tell them what to do, to stay or to move out, or to hide somewhere – it all depends on the movements of the military."
Even with the decrease in trade across the Burmese border, Global Witness believes China still accounts for approximately 25 percent of illegal timber traded internationally.
Further, numerous Chinese logging executives approached by Global Witness provided strong testimony to the fact that if the demand is present, it remains little problem for companies to acquire the precious commodity through whatever means is available.
Chinese companies additionally explained that the illegal trade is at least partially driven by demand from places such as the United States, Europe and Israel – where sanctions on the legal business prove problematic regarding the conduct of operations through official channels.
“These companies all export wood flooring throughout the world, including to the EU and US. Several US-based companies are currently advertising Burmese wood flooring despite the fact that the US Lacey Act now bans commerce in illegally obtained timber and wood products,” according to the watchdog organization.
The aim of Global Witness is to eliminate natural resource related conflict and corruption.
