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BKK POST:Seeing the wood for the t
- Subject: BKK POST:Seeing the wood for the t
- From: suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 19 Feb 1998 02:19:00
February 19, 1998
Dateline Bangkok
Seeing the wood
for the trees
The Salween logging problem is complex. But one thing is clear:
the government agencies concerned are not strong and efficient
enough to deal with influential people behind the illegal logging
business. If nothing is done, all our forests may one day become
deserts.
Small-time loggers are arrested from time to time and news of
their arrests is reported by newspapers along with pictures of
seized logs and log-cutting equipment. But this is hardly an
encouraging sign. In fact, the arrests * epitomise the
government's failure to protect national forests.
The seized logs are clear evidence that our forests are fast
disappearing. They are destroyed by people who do not care
about the future of the country and its people. It will take 60-70
years to replenish the pristine forests that have been destroyed.
Lax law enforcement provides a loophole for businessmen
behind the illegal logging operations to acquire the illegal logs
through legal channels. The loophole is the law that allows the
Forestry Industry Organisation to auction off seized logs, which
eventually fall into the hands of the businessmen who funded the
illegal operations in the first place.
There are various government agencies in charge of preventing
and suppressing illegal logging, but the Forestry Department is at
the core. The future of our forests is in the hands of forestry
officials.
Strangely enough, the Forestry Department has never improved
its administrative structure to deal effectively with the logging
problem. On the contrary, the appointment of provincial forestry
chiefs is rife with accusations about bribery. Some forestry
officials are allegedly under the pay of logging financiers.
It is high time that the Forestry Department reformed itself by
adopting a merit system. Corrupt officials must be sternly
punished to set an example for others. A reform of the Forestry
Department is a great challenge for the agriculture minister, his
permanent secretary and the director-general of the department.
- Editorial from Matichon
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Last Modified: Thu, Feb 19, 1998