As part of efforts to stop the depletion of the country’s forest cover in the Brong Ahafo Region, the Sunyani District Forestry Office, has confiscated 79 chainsaw machines from their owners, who were illegally felling trees in forest reserves in the region.
The Sunyani District Forestry Manager, Benedict Ntiamoa, revealed this when DAILY GUIDE visited their offices to find out how they were responding to the regional minister’s call to help clamp down on illegal chainsaw activities.
He said the chainsaw operators were arrested by the forestry monitoring team from Berekum and Nsoatre over a certain period of time upon a tip-off.
According to him, some of the operators, upon seeing the team, ran away and left behind their machines while others were arrested.
According to Mr Benedict, a court order has been secured to confiscate machines of those who escaped while those who were arrested together with machines are facing trial.
Mr. Ntiamoa said one of the challenges facing his outfit is the rampant bushfires, especially during the dry seasons.
He therefore called on farmers to be cautious in the use of fire in the bush.
Mr. Ntiamoa also complained about the lack of adequate number of personnel to effectively monitor the forest.
He said as part of efforts to regain the forest cover, the Forestry Commission has distributed free tree seedlings to land and farm owners who are interested in planting trees.
About 400,000 seedlings have so far been distributed to farmers free of charge under a World Bank Project which would last for the next 25 years.
He appealed to the general public to help fight illegal chainsaw activities that are destroying the forest and water bodies.
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