Forestry Department uncovers illegal logging operation in St Mary

The Forestry Department is reporting that it has disrupted a sizeable illegal logging operation in St Mary.

The agency says the department, with the support of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), on Thursday completed the seizure and removal of over 900 pieces of illegal harvested timber from the Cape Clear forest estate.

It says the pieces of wood, which were sawn into planks, were discovered during a routine patrol of the forest estate.

The Forestry Department says forest rangers discovered the illegal operation on October 15.

“Upon discovery, the team proceeded to affix Notices of Seizure and mark the items. The officers also made a report to the Richmond Police Station, to ensure the police are aware in the event of attempts to remove the lumber before the agency commenced said process,” said Tanika Stewart, Senior Director, Forest Enforcement Services at the Forestry Department, in a media release.

Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox

Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters.

Following the discovery, the agency immediately made plans for the removal of the items, which were done over two days ending on Thursday.

The department says the total amount of lumber removed at the end of the operation is 927 pieces of lumber - 804 pieces of board and 133 pieces of planks.

It says most of the lumber is identified as Spanish Elm (over 50 percent) while other species identified are Deal also known as Popnut and Sweetwood.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the operation was well organised and took place over several weeks.

Additionally, the department says it has been found that the people who cut the lumber had purchased the stands of trees from an individual who claimed ownership of the forested property.

“I want to encourage persons to do their due diligence when purchasing timber. Ensure you are sure that the person selling the timber is authorised to do so. Additionally, I want to encourage private landowners with boundaries adjoining the forest estates to confirm their boundaries before carrying out any activity on their property. This will also prevent instances where trees from forest reserves are removed,” Stewart said.

Stewart described the seizure as a demonstration of the agency's commitment to stamping out illegal logging in forests.

“When trees are cut in this wanton fashion, it disrupts ecosystems and reduces the functions trees provide in sequestering carbon, supporting water supply and even serving as a home for many other flora and fauna, which are critical parts of the ecosystem,” Stewart added.