site.btaForest Agency Carries Out 320,000-Plus Inspections in 2023

More than 320,000 inspections were carried out across the country by officers from the Executive Forest Agency (EFA) and the Regional Directorates of Forestry in 2023, EFA reported here on Friday. More than 5,500 violation citations were issued for violations of the Forest Act, the Hunting and Game Preservation Act, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act and the Biodiversity Act.

Some 1,700 solid cubic metres of construction and bevelled timber, nearly 5,000 cubic metres of firewood, 165 motor vehicles, 87 chainsaws, 165 carts, 11 horses and 21 hunting weapons have been seized.

Last year, forestry officials responded to 4,380 alerts submitted for poaching as well as illegal logging, transportation, storage and sale of wood.

Increased checks on forest protection controls by the EFA and its structures will continue throughout 2024.