***********************************************

FOREST CONSERVATION NEWS TODAY

Illegal Amazonian Logging Exposed - Time for Logging Moratorium

***********************************************

Forest Networking a Project of Forests.org, Inc.

http://forests.org/ -- Forest Conservation Portal

http://forests.org/links/ -- Forest Conservation Links

LIST NOTE: To unsubscribe from this list at any time, simply send me

an email at: mailto:gbarry@forests.org?subject=unsubscribe_forests

09/27/01

OVERVIEW & COMMENTARY by Forests.org

Time is running out for the World's global forest heritage. The

magnitude of illegal logging in the World's remaining large ancient

forests is of such a massive scale and impact that most are likely to

be lost. Shortly this process of complete elimination of large,

natural forests will be unstoppable and irreversible. This dire

situation demands ambitious and aggressive policy responses.

A global moratorium on logging and other industrial activities in the

World's ancient old-growth forests is an urgent global imperative.

Such a moratorium must be enacted and remain in place until such time

as 1) meaningful protected areas are established that are adequate to

sustain these forest landscapes and their ecosystems, 2) until

measures are adopted to ensure that the scale of timber harvests are

reduced; and all timber is produced and traded in a legally and

ecologically responsible way, 3) and until governments create a

global ancient forest fund of tens of billions of dollars annually to

fund global forest conservation.

The article below from Greenpeace highlights yet another case

of massive illegal logging - this time on Indian lands in Brazil.

Illegal logging in the Amazon appears to be ramping up from already

high levels, and failure to address this immediately portends the

eventual complete loss of the Amazonian rainforests due to spiraling

chaotic habitat loss. As with most governmental forest planning

systems, the Brazilian government's planning and monitoring programs

are in shambles. In this new startling revelation, it is now

revealed that an additional 8.3 million hectares of pristine

Amazonian rainforest (about the size of Austria), which contain the

largest relatively undisturbed pieces of rainforest in the eastern

Amazon, is threatened by illegal logging. These rainforests are home

to jaguars, giant alligators, spider monkeys and anteaters, all

species under threat of extinction. These forests are on the

northern edge of the 'Mahogany Belt' - a stretch of rainforest along

the south side of the Amazon River, which has been heavily depleted

by years of predatory logging.

The Brazilian government has a global and national responsibility to

halt this illegal logging. Further, now is not the time to change

the Brazilian forest code, or to pursue massive infrastructure

development in the Amazon under the proposed "Advance Brazil"

project. Brazil's rainforests have the potential to maintain

regional ecosystems and provide meaningful development for centuries

to come, but only if the government has the foresight and will to

impose an immediate moratorium on logging until such times as

adequately funded preserves and loggings controls are in place.

It is time for the global forest conservation movement to unite

behind ambitious yet achievable demands for a permanent solution to

decline of the World's last large ancient forests. We need to stop

putting out brush fires, and aggressively wage a forest conservation

end game campaign. A moratorium on all logging of ancient old-growth

forests until adequate preserved areas are established, logging is

reduced in scale and intensity to be ecologically sustainable, and

adequate financing is made available, is one such ecological science

based vision. Lets make it so.

g.b.

*******************************

RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:

Title: ILLEGAL LOGGING IN AMAZON EXPOSED - BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT

FAILS

Greenpeace presents evidence to Federal Prosecutors

Source: From Greenpeace

Date: September 26, 2001

Brasilia, Brazil: Greenpeace today released fresh evidence of

extensive illegal logging deep in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.

Photographs and video images from a recent aerial reconnaissance by

Greenpeace clearly show sophisticated logging operations in lands

belonging to the Amazon's Kayap› Indians, an area where logging is

strictly prohibited. Satellite images obtained by Greenpeace also

reveal details of these operations. This information is being

delivered today to the Federal Prosecutor in Brasilia, along with

Greenpeace's call for a full investigation.

The release of these materials further exposes the breakdown in the

Brazilian government's planning system, which is supposed to protect

the greatest of the world's remaining ancient forests from

unauthorised logging.

In a bid to stop the opening of the forest by mahogany loggers, the

Brazilian Government in 1996 enacted a moratorium on new mahogany

logging ventures. But, based on Greenpeace's new information, several

companies appear to be using existing forest management plans outside

of the Indian lands, in an area called the Middle Land, to cover up

their illegal logged operations on adjacent Kayap› property.

"Despite numerous promises from the world's governments to protect

our ancient forests, illegal and destructive logging is still the

common reality for the Brazilian Amazon," said Greenpeace Amazon

Campaign Coordinator Paulo Adario. "Based on the evidence we handed

over today, we call on the Federal Prosecutor to undertake a full

investigation of both the Middle Land and the surrounding Indian

lands," he said.

The Middle Land is comprised of 8.3 million hectares of pristine

Amazonian rainforest (about the size of Austria), located between the

Xingu and Tapaj›s Rivers in Para State, Brazil. It is one of the

largest relatively undisturbed pieces of rainforest in the eastern

Amazon, and is home to jaguars, giant alligators, spider monkeys and

anteaters, all species under threat of extinction. It is on the

northern edge of the 'Mahogany Belt' - a stretch of rainforest along

the south side of the Amazon River, which has been heavily depleted

by years of predatory logging.

The largest remaining concentration of commercial stocks of mahogany

in Brazil is in the Middle Land, and in the Indigenous lands that

surround it. Mahogany is becoming increasingly rare, currently

fetching up to US$1,600 per cubic metre (m3) in the international

market. The high price of mahogany makes this species the "open door"

to forest destruction. And the lack of proper control is encouraging

loggers to invade the region, opening roads that are later used by

farmers to clear new forest areas. In the past 30 years, 15 percent

of the Amazon forest cover has been lost. A similar sized area is

seriously degraded. "Greenpeace is calling for an immediate

moratorium on all industrial logging, both legal and illegal, in the

Middle Land until a full assessment of the ecological values of this

area can be completed and a credible land use plan developed and

implemented," said Adario. "This public land is being invaded -

Brazil needs to regain sovereignty of this region."

In addition, Greenpeace is calling for a moratorium, globally, on

logging and other industrial activities in all large areas of ancient

forests, until measures are adopted to ensure that timber is produced

and traded in a legally and ecologically responsible way, and for

governments to create a global ancient forest fund of $15 billion

annually to fund these measures. This investigation is part of

Greenpeace's campaign to protect the world's remaining ancient

forests. Some 80 percent of these forests have already been degraded

or destroyed. Time is running out for the last 20 percent unless

governments around the world take swift action to ensure their

future.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

In Brazil, Paulo Adario, Greenpeace International Amazon Campaigner

+55 92 9985 5001,

In Amsterdam Natalia Truchi, Greenpeace International Press Officer

+31 621296908

Stills and footage available:

Greenpeace International Photo Desk + 31 653819121, Video Desk + 31

653504721

###RELAYED TEXT ENDS###

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is

distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior

interest in receiving forest conservation informational materials for

educational, personal and non-commercial use only. Recipients should

seek permission from the source to reprint this PHOTOCOPY. All

efforts are made to provide accurate, timely pieces, though ultimate

responsibility for verifying all information rests with the reader.

For additional forest conservation news & information please see the

Forest Conservation Portal at URL= http://forests.org/

Networked by Forests.org, Inc., gbarry@forests.org