It has come to the notice of the Ministry of the Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources that certain unscrupulous wood dealers and businessmen are currently engaged in the illegal exploitation and the re-export of “Keno” Logs (Rose wood) and other tree species even after the re-imposition of a ban on the felling, transportation and exportation of the semi-processes logs out of the Gambia.
It has also come to our notice that certain people are loading Containers at secret locations within the Greater Banjul area for export. This is contrary to the Forest act and Regulations of 1998 and therefore anyone found wanting will face the full force of the law.
The general public is hereby further informed that the ban imposed on the export of “Keno” logs is still holding and a task force is already constituted to monitor the illegal exploitation and smuggling of logs across the borders and elsewhere in our forest. The utilization and movement of our local forest produces excluding Keno is, however, allowed but all trucks carryings logs for domestic use must have proper official documents or else, the logs will be confiscated and culprits prosecuted in the court of law.
The public is hereby further informed that the selling and buying of logs at the borders is illegal and that all logs landing sites along the borders are illegal. Anyone found selling or buying Keno logs in any of these landings sites along the borders shall face the full force of the law.
Meanwhile, all regional forestry Officers, security services, regional Governors, District Chiefs and Alkalolu are asked to take note and enforce this directive.
Ministry of the Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources.
