BTV Raises Alarm Over Illegal Logging in Colombia Forest Reserve

The Belize Territorial Volunteers are raising alarm over the illicit harvesting of logwood in the Columbia Forest Reserve. A release from the BTV says that the organization recently conducted a four-day expedition within the reserve and stumbled upon thousands of board feet of lumber being illegally harvested by individuals from Guatemala. The statement further notes that a road has been established inside the reserve to facilitate this illegal activity. BTV is now calling on the Forest Department and the Belize Defense Force to swiftly intervene and put an end to these actions. We heard from one Punta Gorda resident courtesy of PG TV.

 

Valentino Tzub, Punta Gorda Resident

“Well we gone hunt and when we gone close to Machakil Ha Area and when we reached there, where the BDF stay, then we were walking there we saw the open road, inside the forest and that road come from Guatemala. When we reach there we see the road open and the tractor come there and we saw on both side of the road they cut the lumber there. They are cutting. That place looked like a hurricane pass there. All the lumber was on the ground. On both side of the road you could see the lumber. It is lone red on both side of the road. They are cutting mahogany, santa maria, sapodilla and the cedar.”