Liberia is about to restart the logging of its tropical timber, but environmental activists warn that even with strict legislations this new business may cause terrible environmental damage.
The United Nations placed an embargo on timber from Liberia in 2003 to prevent it from being used by the former president, Charles Taylor. The wood came from illegal sources and became known as "blood timber"; it was used to finance the president`s violent reign. The international sanctions effectively banned trading and exports of any timber products.
Exports of hardwood contributed 60% to the GDP of the country.
The United Nations embargo expired and other laws are currently being implemented for the forestry sector.
Seven companies are in final stages of obtaining permission to start cutting on one of the most valuable natural resources of West Africa: virgin tropical forests.
This could only create controversy.
Supporters argue that logging activities will create more than 40,000 jobs and thus jump- starting a million dollar industry for Liberia. Critics wonder how accurate the employment statistics are, how the new regulations will be applied and if the financial benefits will equal the loss of virgin forests, increasingly rare in Africa.
Source: http://www.eco-business.com |
