The Zambian government has banned the export of all species of timber, not just of Mukula trees, says Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Jean Kapata.
However, the Ministry will allow concession holders to continue operating to supply timber to the local industry, she said here Tuesday, adding that the ban was aimed at empowering local people in timber processing and ensuring sustainable operations of the timber industry.
Briefing the media on the status of forestry operations, Kapata also disclosed that currently there are 272 trucks licensed to transport logs which have documentation to transit Zambian territory. The trucks will be released immediately and allowed to proceed to their respective destinations.
However, she added that the 194 trucks found carrying logs which are not supported with legal documentation will be dealt with on a case by case.
The Minister said measures which were put in place to curb illegal harvesting, transportation and trade in timber between February and May 2017 had yielded positive results.
