Forestry experts have predicted that there will be massive deforestation leading to a desert like situation because premature trees are being felled in Thar Yar area in Pha Saung Township in Karenni state.

Premature teak trees are being cut down by ceasefire groups in Pha Saung region, No. 2 district, and sold to the military regime.

"Premature trees cannot be exported to foreign countries. It can be used at the domestic level,” said a Karenni forest analyst, on condition of anonymity.

Karenni ceasefire groups have set up sawmills in Sakhwe area and Thar Yar village. According to eye witnesseses, ceasefire groups fell premature teak trees and sell them to the military regime leading to deforestation in the area.

"The Karenni administration has ordered that trees with only three and-a-half feet trunk diameter can be cut down. But trees with two or three feet diameter are also being cut down. Very few trees with three and half feet diameter can be found.  About 70 per cent of the felled wood is less than three and half feet," Saw Khe Roh, an intelligence officer from KNPP's battalion no. 1, said.

In the past, the water level was about knee deep in summer but now the water level has decreased to shin level in winter because of deforestation.

"Premature trees are not allowed to be cut down but no rule and regulation is implemented in our country. Therefore, it's really difficult to protect the forest. Rules and regulations need to be implemented to prevent felling premature trees. There should be rules and regulations related to forest in the future constitution," a Karenni expert said.

Currently, the price of teak wood is 230,000 Kyat per ton for the trunk but about 300,000 Kyat per ton for a plank. Premature teak wood price is 120,000 Kyat per ton for the trunk. These premature teak wood are felled in Bawlakhe, Shardaw and Lawpita, while teak wood, Inngyin, Thityar and other hard woods are cut down near the bank of the Salween River.