Ziguinchor, January 21 (APS) – The regional inspectorate of Water and Forests of Ziguinchor (south) announced, Tuesday, having seized, between June 2024 and January 2025, varieties of wood whose cost is estimated at 300 million francs CFA, in the districts of Niaguis and Niassya.
These seizures are part of the fight against illicit timber trafficking in Bignona and Ziguinchor.
This lot is made up of 114 teak logs, 314 planks and trays, 214 palm tree slats.
“During the last six months, between June 2024 and January 2025, in collaboration with other defense and security forces, we have made these significant seizures estimated at around 300 million CFA francs,” declared Lieutenant-Colonel Momar Sèye , head of the Ziguinchor regional inspection of water and forests.
He was speaking during an interview with journalists during a guided tour to see first-hand the seizures made by his structure in the region.
In addition to the quantities of wood seized, the equipment used by the traffickers was also immobilized, indicated the head of the Ziguinchor departmental water and forestry service, Lieutenant Mame Less Ciss.
”Fifteen tricycles, bicycles, Jakarta motorcycles, chainsaws, cutters and axes, as well as two vehicles for transporting the proceeds of their illicit activities were also seized,” he said .
He notably indicated that the reports were drawn up, adding that 74 people were arrested in this operation and made available to justice.
“These traffickers arrested as part of the investigations carried out under the direction of the judicial authority are referred to the prosecution,” indicated the regional water and forest inspector of Ziguinchor, Lieutenant-Colonel Momar Seye.
-“The Ziguinchor region occupies an important place in the biodiversity conservation strategy in Senegal. It is a region which has significant forestry potential with a vegetation cover of approximately 63% of the regional surface area,” he said.
According to him, timber trafficking in the Ziguinchor region is one of the most important factors in terms of degradation of biodiversity.
“When resources are scarce, it can be a source of social tension. We must ensure that these resources are sufficiently well preserved for the benefit of the populations,” recommended the regional water and forest inspector of Ziguinchor.
He also called on the populations for more collaboration to, he said, allow Water and Forestry agents to stem the phenomenon of illicit timber trafficking, which “negatively and very significantly impacts the forest resources of the region. Ziguinchor region in the context of domestic and international traffic.
But, for some time, the forestry service has implemented a major strengthening program to better fight against the illegal exploitation of forest products, assured the head of the departmental Water and Forests service.
MNF/ABB/OID
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