Wakhungu: Illegal timber trade major threat to forests

NAIROBI, KENYA: Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu has warned that illegal trade of wood is endangering forests in the Kenya.

Prof Wakhungu said unless there were concerted efforts to curb intra-regional and inter-regional illegal trade of timber and other forest products the country would continue to lose billions of shillings

Wakhungu said it was critical that stakeholders develop tools, procedures and mechanisms that would allow for better management and monitoring trade on forest produce and revenue collection so as to minimise losses and negative impacts to deforestation.

"Adoption of better technologies, harmonised policies and improved collaboration are essential elements if success is to be achieved in these fronts, apparently no one entity can succeed on its own and this is true in national, regional and international trade," said Wakhungu.

Prof Wakhungu made her remarks during a two day meeting in Nairobi under the theme: "Moving from words to actions: Implementing the Zanzibar Declaration and bi-annual agreements".

The 4th Annual East Africa Timber Trade Stakeholders' Forum hosted by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and WWF Kenya, aimed to build on the commitments made in the Zanzibar Declaration on illegal trade in timber and forest products.

A report on the situation of deforestation had earlier revealed that Kenya loses roughly sh1billion per year from illegal cross-border trade between Tanzania and Kenya.

It also showed there was significant deforestation in Kenya, accounting for 33 per cent of the region's forest depletion, between 1990 and 2010.

The Tanzania Natural Resource Forum and East African Wild Life Society report added that Tanzania loses around Sh833 million annually from such trade.

There was significant deforestation in the Tanzania during the period. It reduced its forested area by 14.6 million hectares, accounting for 67 per cent of the region's total deforestation.

The region had lost about by 21.8 million hectares of forest cover between the periods, partly due to illegal logging and charcoal burning.

Illegal logging and evasion of timber taxes are thought to cost developing countries more than Sh1.5 trillion a year.

The forum drew forestry directors and officers, regional agencies, relevant law enforcement officials, and members of civil society.
The declaration was drawn up by the Forest Authorities of Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar, and the regional bodies of the Southern African Development Community and the East African Community.