Rainforest pillage continues in Madagascar
Gangs of illegal rosewood loggers continue to pillage the wildlife-rich forests of northeastern Madagascar, reports a local source.
“More and more people are entering the [protected area] to cut wood,” said the source, whose identity has been concealed for protection. “All the rosewood — regardless of its diameter — will disappear.” The source adds that due to fears of prosecution, local villagers are not directly participating in logging. “Instead, they look for the good trees and then guide the logging teams to the trees.” The outbreak of logging in the rainforests of northeastern Madagascar followed rangers’ abandonment of park posts during last month’s military coup in Madagascar. Chinese timber traders took advantage of the opportunity, paying armed bands to raid Marojejy and Masoala National Parks — both of which are considered jewels in Madagascar’s protected area system for their astounding biological richness. The loggers’ primary target was rosewood, ebonies, and other hardwoods. It is unclear how much timber has been cut from protected forests since the political crisis began, but photos provided by another confidential source show substantial stockpiles of contraband wood in local towns. …
