Guest guest Posted December 15, 2005 Report Share Posted December 15, 2005 Gaharu thefts in Johor forests - New Straits Times Sim Bak Heng JOHOR BARU, Dec 13: -- Johor's forest reserves are drawing Thai poachers looking for the prized Gaharu incense wood trees from which a resin is extracted for making perfume. Several have been caught chopping down the trees. However, to date only two have been charged for the offence. They operate in groups of three or four and are usually armed with axes and machetes. Mohd Azhari Hashim, a nature guide, spotted two Thais chopping a Gaharu when he was scaling Gunung Panti in Kota Tinggi last month. " The two Thais spoke broken English and panicked when they saw us. They claimed they were from nearby Kampung Lukut at the foothills, " he said. " Their slang and their body tattoos clearly showed they were Thais. They were armed with an axe each and bags for collecting the resin. Gaharu trees (Aquilaria agallochum) are mostly found in China, Thailand and northern India and grow to a height of 120 feet. Besides Gunung Panti, the Endau Rompin National Park and Gunung Ledang National Park are also the target of people looking for Gaharu. Johor Forestry Department director Che Hashim Hassan believed the Thai poachers were members of a syndicate supplying the resin to perfume manufacturers in Singapore or Thailand. He said the smuggling of Gaharu had been going on for years due to the huge demand for the resin. " We need members of the public to tip us off about their activities so that we can take action immediately, " he said. Those caught stealing Gaharu from national parks could face a fine of up to RM500,000 or 20 years' jail or both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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