Combating Illegal Logging In The Chiquibul Forest

Objective: To reduce illegal trans-border logging operations in the Chiquibul forest

1. Law enforcement capacity and capability in the Chiquibul forest increased 2. Partnerships and reporting to support monitoring and enforcement strengthened

• Strengthened ranger force• Acquired equipment and

gear• Trained 12 persons in law

enforcement• Developed illegal logging

assessment• Established a credible

multi-agency credible mechanism

• Developed an inter-institutional database

• Re-invigorated bilateral linkages

a. 3 persons detained and processed

b. 16 detained and releasedc. > 15 escape in jungle

a. 2 chainsaws confiscatedb. 41 horses confiscatedc. 148 flitches confiscatedd. 2,500 marijuana destroyede. 20,000 xate destroyedf. 1 rifle and 8 bullets seized

Key Recommendations1. Install new conservation posts2. Improved inter-agency

coordination3. Bring international attention

Project financed by: In collaboration with:

Outputs:

Outputs:

Actions:

Mitigating and Controlling the Trans-border Illegal Logging In The Chiquibul Forest

Objective: To mitigate and control trans-border illegal logging throughout the Chiquibul Forest

1. Monitoring and forest law enforcement strengthened in the Chiquibul forest2. Information systems and public awareness promoted

Key Recommendations1. Improved synchronization of efforts2. Improved ability to lay charges3. Establish mechanism to salvage4. Institute a multi sector task force5. CITES authority involvement

- FCD rangers contracted- Training on law enforcement- Illegal logging inventoryexpanded

- Database system formalized-Communication systemimproved

-Maintained civil societyinformed

18167

26642

34189

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15000

20000

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30000

35000

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2010 2011 2012

Are

a (h

a.)

Area of the Chiquibul Forest being impacted by illegal logging

439 illegally logged trees were measured within a surveyed area of 1,898.57 ha.

- US $4,248,293.00 in cedar had been extracted illegally

- US $ 5,199,851.00 in mahogany had been extracted illegally

- Belize has had an approximate economic loss of US$9,448,144.00, due to illegal logging, (2012)Illegal logging zone of influence from 2010 to 2012

Project financed by: In collaboration with:

Actions:

Instituting Sustained Mechanisms to Confront Illegal Logging In the Chiquibul Forest

Objective: To institute and sustain mechanisms that address illegal logging In the Chiquibul Forest

1. Enabling functionality of a special task unit2. Institutional strengthening of regulatory and judiciary systems regarding illegal logging3. Harmonizing bi-national efforts and building local support

• FCD rangers contracted• SMART Patrol activated• Upgrading of

conservation posts• Awareness among

justice system agencies• Bi-national reunions to

harmonize actions• Bi-national data sharing

on illegal logging

The logging is intense andaggressive and has surpassedthe pavement and has reachedup to Mountain Cow MayaSite, some 12 km from border.

Key Recommendations1. Night patrols are required2. Intelligence sharing Bz/Gt urgent3. Utilization of special forces needed4. Increase of penalties on loggers5. Data collection on illegal logging 6. Internationalize the forest crime

After 3 years of combating illegal logging a stronger platform is in place to address this environmental crime, which has become the most critical threat in the Chiquibul today. FCD’s next goal is to consolidate bi-national strategies and actions to address this challenge across borders.

Project financed by: Co-financed by:

Actions:Patrol Coverage:

3.

PANOCCONAP