The Myanmar local military authorities have arrested 31 timber smugglers along with some small firearms and ammunition in a special operation against illegal logging and timber smuggling in Mansi, northernmost Kachin state, state media reported Friday.
The so-called combing operation started from the end of September and lasted 20 days. During the period, the local military column also confiscated one dead body, 200 rounds of ammunition, six grenades, 12 vehicles and 226 tons of timber logs, among others, said the New Light of Myanmar.
Meanwhile, in its announcement early this year, Myanmar’s Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry said it will cease exportation of logs as of April 1, 2014 in a bid to ensure sustainable utilization for forest reserves, the major resources of the country.
According to official statistics, Myanmar fetched 348 million U. S. dollars from exporting teak log and 250 million dollars from hardwood log in 2012.
Source: Mizzima News Myanmar
