Conservationists call for suspension of logging permits

Panama’s Environmental Authority (ANAM) has been asked to suspend logging permits to prevent the looting of  the country's natural resources.

The National Association for the Conservation of Nature (Ancon), led by Alida Spadafora,  has asked the authority  to establish a moratorium Among the mechanisms proposed is the elimination of subsistence permits for any tree cutting and implementing recovery measures  for the  much prized cocobolo tree, a target of illegal logging because the market price ranges between $20 and $30 a cubic foot.

Spadafora said that there are  other species of trees that have been affected, such as rosewood, mahogany and balsam.  Carlos Espinosa, a representative in Panama, of the World Wildlife Fund, said the problem is that the system of permits for felling promotes unauthorized cutting and there is no real commitment by Anam to solve it.

A government resolution resolution on April 3 prompted  Anam  to order the suspension of transport "throughout the national territory" of wood logs, sawn or semi-sawn and  requested the cooperation of the National Police (PN) "to detain  anyone caught transporting forest products."

The resolution , which expires Monday April 9, followed clashes between loggers and Indians in Chiman, which there were two deaths.