Kyaukdaga, 17 March

More than 19 tons of hardwoods, bags of charcoal, vehicles, motorbikes, chainsaws and bullock-carts have been seized in a combing operation in forest reserves in Kyaukdaga Township, Bago Region.

The combing operation has been carried out by security personnel from No. 307 Light Infantry Regiment in three forest reserves and near Yengwe Dam in joining hands with forestry officials led by Assistant Director of the Forest Department U Tin Win since 8 March. They also confiscated and set fire to four charcoal kilns and 10 huts and destroyed some routes that were used by smugglers for illegal timber extraction by using heavy machinery.

The operation aims to crack down on rampant timber smuggling in order to remain the natural forests intact. The local authorities are stepping up efforts to curb illegal timber extraction by conducting combing operations.—Khin Ko

Translated by Kyaw Htike Soe