(MY) satelllite imagery to detect illegal logging

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Satellite imagery to detect logging

R. Sittamparam <news

 

*JOHOR BARU, 12th Oct 2005*

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*The State Government is turning to satellite imagery of permanent forest

areas to detect illegal logging.*

 

<http://www.nst.com.my/Misc/Kiosk/eng2.htm> Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani

Othman said as rangers could not effectively monitor the forest

round-the-clock, the satellite pictures would be useful.

 

Commenting on reports of illegal logging in the Gunung Ledang National Park

over the past two months, he said checks by the State Forestry Department

found about 40 trees had been felled in the area, with five logs found.

 

He said a police report had been lodged and investigations were under way.

 

Speaking to reporters after launching the State-level 'Bazar Ramadan' at the

Pasar Rabu here today, Ghani said: " The authorities are saying logging is

carried out at night to avoid detection, but I can't understand how the logs

could have been transported out without anyone noticing. "

 

It was reported that an area covering about 10ha had been logged at Batu 30,

Jalan Muar-Segamat, near Kebun Baru in Segamat.

 

Ghani said the State viewed the illegal logging in its permanent forest

areas seriously, as the Gunung Ledang area was rich in biodiversity.

 

On another matter, Ghani said Johor would set up a packing centre in Batu

Pahat for small food processing operators, many of whom were raking in

annual sales of up to RM1 million.

 

He said the 1,400 entrepreneurs involved in the industry had recorded sales

totalling RM90 million since the " one village one industry " scheme was

launched in 1995.