Alarm over 'timber grab' from Cambodia's protected forests, by the BBC

[geovalin]

Alarm over 'timber grab' from Cambodia's protected forests, by the BBC
By Matt McGrath Environment correspondent, BBC News

Campaigners say that deforestation in Cambodia is taking place on a large scale

Ancient, highly valuable forests are being lost at an "unprecedented" rate from protected lands in Cambodia, according to a new report.

The analysis, from campaign group Forest Trends, says that large corporations are using legitimate development permits to illegally clear land.

Around 2,000 sq km of forests are being lost every year, they say.

Effective governance of the forests in Cambodia has broken down, they argue.

Forests have long been a big issue of concern in Cambodia and across south east Asia.

In the 1990s, timber concessions were granted by the government and a rapid deforestation ensued, so much so that by 2005 the country had the third highest rate in the world.

Protests from the international community forced the Cambodian government to act and logging permits were significantly restricted.

But environmental campaigners say that the felling of trees in large numbers has continued by different means.

source: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33702814

[sprq]

Depressing, depressing, depressing. Greedy humans are the worst beasts on the planet.

[Ulic]

Sad, yes, news to anyone, not a chance.