A group of Ugandan MPs has asked the environment minister to rescind her decision halting timber harvesting of timber over the next three months.

The MPs said Maria Mutagamba overstepped her powers on March 6 when she announced a blanket ban on timber harvesting. They say she does not have authority over private forest owners.

However, the state minister for environment, Flavia Nabugere, said the law does give the minister power to halt forestry activities.

During the first two weeks of the ban, all timber in the forests is to be removed and taken to a central point for verification, assessment for taxes and transport to selling points.

Timber that not transferred from the harvesting areas within the two weeks is to be forfeited to the state.

Source: TTJ

Posted and edited by Riona, Hanbao News Department

Contact: rionach@cltimber.com