New App deployed to curb illegal timber exploitation
Dr Emmanuel Ebanyen
A new device to track illegal logging from the countryās forests has been deployed in an effort to curb the incidence of illegal exploitation of the timber resources.
When fed with the documenĀtation of the logs, Xylorix Pocket Wood, the App/device, will quickly scan them and give off the information about the woods being carried or conveyed.
It was developed by Dr Emmanuel Ebanyenle, a wood anatomist at the Forestry ReĀsearch Institute of Ghana of the Council for Scientific and IndusĀtrial Research (CSIR-FORIG).
As a result of the new techĀnology, 198 customs officers, grading and inspection officers at the department of the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD) and Civil Society OrganĀisations (CSOs) have been trained on the use of the device.
The development of the device was sponsored by the US Forest Service in collaboration with Agritex, Forestry Commission and CSIR.
According to Dr Ebanyenle, the next stage of the App, which is being developed, would enable the detection of the origin of the woods for instance rosewood from the forests of Ghana etc.
Speaking to the Ghanaian Times at the sideline of the 2023 end-of-year send off and awards ceremony of the CSIR-FORIG, Dr Ebanyenle explained illegal logging as any wood acquired through āharvesting, transportĀing, processingā that did not follow the law.
Illegal logging, he said, was inĀdeed ruining the economy of the country, though he could not give specifics, he was full of hope that the App would stem the tide.
Dr Ebanyenle was among some 10 scientists who were honĀoured during the awards ceremoĀny for his contribution towards Ghanaās forest sustainability.
Similarly, eight of the scientists who retired took home refrigeraĀtors, plasma television sets, deep freezers and certificates.
Prof. Daniel A. Ofori, DiĀrector, CSIR-FORIG, in an interview in connection with the device, mentioned that the rate of forest degradation and deforestation in the country was very alarming largely due to illegal logging, slash and burn agriculture, wildlife, unsustainable mining practices, urbanization, among the lots.
He indicated that 126,521.8 hectares of forest plantations was established between 2016-2022.
Additionally, he said enrichĀment planting was undertaken over an area of 23,176.2 hectares while 20,225,476 tree seedlings were distributed for planting within farms during the period of implementation.
āBut while efforts are being made to manage the landscape in a sustainable manner, others will also engage in illegal logging activities to undermine the restoĀration programme,ā he added.
He was hopeful the device would bring to an end illegal logging in the country.
Ā FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI
Read Next
January 18, 2024
Crisis looms in prisons nationwide Ā ā¦jails congested by 4,651 inmates as Prisons Service backs proposed non-custodial sentence
January 18, 2024
President Akufo-Addo attends World Economic Forum, NAM Conference
January 18, 2024
GRA chases Nana Kwame Bediako āCheddarā for tax evasion
January 18, 2024
Ghanaian supporters dismiss allegations
January 18, 2024
Black Stars ready for Egypt task
January 17, 2024
Tragedy! Ā 5 perish, others injured in road crash ā¦at Lamboya
January 17, 2024
Donāt accept bribe! Ā ā¦COP Yohuno warns personnel
January 17, 2024
PPP to open nominations for flagbearer by March
January 17, 2024
CSIR inaugurates wildlife museum at Fumesua
January 17, 2024
Iāll give opportunities to the youth when I become president ā Cheddar
Ok
Really