photo by Erik Patel (Wikimedia Commons)
Justice for Forests, a new report from the World Bank, claims that illegal logging is a $10-15bn (€7.5-11bn) global business.
Perhaps the most shocking figure contained in Justice for Forests is that every second forestland the size of a soccer field/football pitch is illegally logged. As much as 90% of all timber felled each year is cut illegally. The report attributes this massive deforestation to organized crime and corrupt officials.
A quote from the report (via BBC News):
All too often, investigations – in the rare event that they do take place – are amateurish and inconclusive, and the few cases taken to court tend to be of trivial significance, prosecuting people whose involvement in crime is due to poverty and exploitation.
According to the research, effective measures in stopping illegal logging include law enforcement in source countries (with the financial support of rich nations) as well as strong legislation in Western countries like the US and EU nations.
Countries most afflicted by illegal logging include West African nations, Indonesia Madagascar and the Philippines.
Read more on CNNand for comprehensive information on illegal logging around the world visit illegal-logging.info.
