Vientiane declares war on timber smugglers, but corruption rampant
Total ban on timber exports: the country is unable to cover the domestic needs. In two decades, Chinese and Vietnamese smugglers have reduced the Laotian forests by almost half. Local truck driver: "With the closing of the largest customs, traffickers use other methods with the help of corrupt government".
Vietiane (AsiaNews / RFA) - The total timber export ban imposed by the Lao government has so far failed to generate the expected results, and traffickers are finding new ways to get the goods across the border. According to many environmentalists and workers in the sector, Chinese and Vietnamese businessmen continue to make gains even from the government because of rampant corruption
For decades much of the country’s precious woods has been traded illegally to China and Vietnam. In recent years the amount of has increased significantly and the Vientiane government is doing everything possible to close the routes preferred by smugglers. Once the forests covered nearly 70% of the surface area of Laos; Now only 40% of the land is wooded.
The phenomenon has reached such massive proportions that the country is no longer able to meet domestic needs, used for the repair of schools and other buildings.
Vientiane has increased controls at major checkpoints on the border with China, such as Boten-Bohen. A local trucker has revealed to Radio Free Asia: "After the ban wanted by the prime minister, the authorities have put in place restrictive measures against the illegal trafficking. So now the smugglers are transporting the timber into smaller district customs".
Most of the logs are cut in the vicinity of the iron mines, which are managed by Chinese investors. These, says the truck driver, "are carried over the border hidden in vans full of corn, with the help of some [corrupt agents]." Corruption is indeed the most serious problem that Vietnane faces. According to a WWF report, the sharp increase in the smuggling took place thanks to government collusion.
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27/05/2016 19:49
