The Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) Has Suspended an Operation in Boquete and Confiscated Timber in Dolega.

The Ministry of Environment (MiAMBIENTE) ordered the suspension of land preparation work in Alto Boquete and following a separate incident, seized oak wood and a chainsaw in Dolega, Chiriquí province, after detecting non-compliance with environmental regulations.

Officials in Alto Boquete, Chiriqui inspected a job of land clearing, filling and leveling an area of 5,000 square meters. Although the site had a permit for clearing, the actions taken exceeded the limits of the initial authorization.  Those responsible did not respond to the requests of the officials, and as a result, with the support of the Municipality of Boquete and units of the National Police, a stoppage order was issued.

Following a separate inspection in Chiriquí. in the community of Dos Ríos, district of Dolega an operator cutting wood had a chainsaw operator’s license, but lacked the necessary permits to carry out logging and forest harvesting activities.   According to MiAMBIENTE, an administrative file was opened under the provisions of Panama’s Forestry Law and authorities confiscated the wood and a chainsaw.

The agency reported that it will maintain patrols in different parts of Chiriquí during the national holidays to detect activities that may affect natural resources.