Senegal
The Senegalese government on Sunday said it will take “strong action” against excessive cutting of wood in Casamance, in the south of the country.
This follows a warning that the Casamance forest faces depletion in the next two years.
The region of Casamance in #Senegal will have no tree cover left by 2018 if illegal logging continues!
https://t.co/IB3M9zJmFm— FLARE (@FLAREglobal) May 28, 2016
In May, Senegal’s former environment minister and activist Haidar El Ali gave a disturbing account of the rapid depletion of the forest, due to illegal timber sales from Senegal to Gambia.
The country’s defence Minister Augustin Tine on Sunday said the state will act with strong measures to end (this) situation in a few days.
The government says the country has lost more than a million trees since 2010, while operators based in the Gambia pocketed over $240m by exporting the wood to China, where demand for furniture has exploded in recent years.
Agencies
Go to video
Senegal: Diomaye Faye's economic challenges [Business Africa]
02:15
Kenya: Sand dams built on seasonal rivers providing clean water for local communities
02:12
Senegal poll: Bassirou Diomaye, Sonko's protégé, said to have taken early lead
00:57
Senegalese call for peace during vote after months of chaotic politics
01:20
For Senegal, the much awaited presidential election has come
01:32
Senegal's presidential frontrunners end campaigns amid ahead of vote