Sekondi, Aug 20, GNA - Illegal logging, mining, farming and chainsaw operations in forest reserves constitute 34 per cent of depletion of Ghana's forest and wildlife resources, Mr Kwakye Ameyaw, the Western Regional Manager, Forestry Services Division, has said. He said if this was not checked and reversed it would undermine efforts aimed at achieving sustainable forest and wildlife management.

Mr Ameyaw said this at the inauguration of a seven-member Military and Police Timber Monitoring Operation Team on Wednesday at Sekondi to check illegal activities in the region's forest reserves. The team is expected to pitch camp in some reserves and also monitor and clamp down on activities of settler farmers and miners in forest reserves.

Mr Ameyaw said over the years the region's reserves had suffered considerable damage by human activities. "Manzan, Sukuku, Bia Tawya, Bodi, Sui and Tano extension totalling 21, 917 hectares have been devastated," he said. He said the team therefore had the greatest responsibility in ensuring illegal activities within forest reserves were combated. Mr Ameyaw said it was imperative for stakeholders to also embark on innovative ways of mobilising resources to expand and sustain education on illegal logging and other negative activities within such areas. "In this connection, we are developing a proposal for a natural resource trust fund which will be used to ensure sustainable management of forest and wildlife resources as well as restoration of degraded areas", he said.

Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, Western Regional Minister who inaugurated the team, said forestry, wildlife and mining amounted to 15 per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Products, 25 per cent revenue and 60 per cent foreign exchange. "It is therefore obvious that any setback in the lands and natural resources sector would present not only socio-economic and environmental problems but also that of security." He expressed regret about some alleged involvement of some forestry staff in allowing settlers to perform such illegal activities and urged them to desist from the practice. "All these illegal activities are being executed allegedly under the direct supervision of some forestry staff entrusted with the nation's natural resources".

Mr Aidoo said the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources had also set up an inter-agency sub-committee to enhance community participation in forest protection, reduce conflict and the occurrence of other forest illegalities as well as streamlining the sale of lumber on the domestic market. Nana Kobina Nketsiah V, Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area, said though the country was blessed with lots of extractive resources, nothing was being done to maintain and preserve them for posterity. "I am the environment and you are. It is therefore imperative that we secure our forest reserves from further degradation," he said.