Every staff under the Forest Department is responsible for sustainably managing our forest resources to meet the basic needs of our people. However, under different political threats, trees are decreasing and forests are degrading almost everywhere. Moreover, illegal logging is a large issue that continues to occur.
Under the NLD government, the seizure of illegal logging was about 200,000 tons. Efforts were being made regarding the conservation of forests. As a result, according to the Forest Resource Assessment (FRA 2020), forest cover accounted for 42.19% of the country’s total land area. In essence, it was under the administration of the NLD that the deforestation rate was reportedly the slowest it has ever been.
In fact, departmental regulations state that revenue obtained from the bidding of seized illegal timber, non-timber forest products and wildlife, are the funds of the country and belong to our people. In spite of this, we, the NUG government, are informed that the departmental heads of the military junta are currently attempting to finance the military council with the revenue derived from bidding.
Therefore, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation of the National Unity Government (MONREC-NUG) hereby announces that the ministry strongly condemns the inappropriate act of earning funds for the military council through the abuse of public funds and property, and that those who took part in such endeavor will be charged and blacklisted accordingly.
The Ministry also urges to keep the seized illegal timber in a safe and secure place and to carry out the further steps and actions in accordance with instructions given by the MONREC-NUG.
Public Relations & Media Taskforce
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation
The National Unity Government of Myanmar
(Ref-https://mm.boell.org/…/transformation-environmental-and…. https://eia-international.org/…/myanmars-tainted…/)