African nations collaborate against illegal timber trade

Under the Zanzibar Declaration on Illegal Logging, which was signed on Wednesday, forest protection agencies in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique and Madagascar will be increasing efforts to combat the rapidly expanding trade in illegal timber, reported news service, AllAfrica.com

The declaration aims to improve communication between customs authorities and collaboration between forest officials from the east and southeast African nations.
“Illegal timber trade is flourishing at an alarming pace in the region and criminal groups are benefiting from the environmental destruction,” said Tanzania Forest Service CEO Juma Mgoo.

According to studies cited by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Kenya loses about US$10 million annually because of illegal cross-border wood trade with Tanzania while Tanzania loses more than US$8 million.

Furthermore, a WWF analysis revealed that between 2000 and 2012 forest cover in Tanzania decreased by 2 million hectares and by 2.2 million hectares in Mozambique.

WWF spokesman Geofrey Mwanjela called the new plan a "bold step", as the fight against illegal logging had been "hindered by inadequate collaboration among national forest agencies and customs agencies across the region".