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FM
Former Member

Note gain, the Chinese are mowing these Forest Giants what were here before most non native Guyanese set foot on this land. In one swoop, a corrupt regime lets these pillagers come in and rape our land.

 

I want to remind you who these Chinese are. These are the People who rent out their Pandas at millions of dollars a year to Zoos in the west. Not one Baby panda is allowed to remain outside China. They collect royalties on every t-shirt with a panda image or every toy. Yet they come to our land and rape our native soil of its trees and have the gall to say they do not owe royalties or taxes!

 

This should be enough to make any patriotic Guyanese retch. It is a disgusting pillage permitted because they do not respect us. They do not give a damn about us. We are fodder to them. If they can respect their Pandas...and they should...what about our damn trees! Lets not permit the Chinese to do to us what they are doing in Africa...robbing the place bare and adding nothing....yes nothing to the economy. They are the new colonizers...wake up or be colonized by these crooks should be the refrain of all patriotic Guyanese. If the want payment for their Pandas, we want payment for our trees!

 

Bai Shan Lin has overstepped its boundaries
August 9, 2014 | By KNews | Filed Under News

-  We need to see the contract between the company and government- APNU 

While word on the street is that “our Champion of the earth (former President, Bharrat Jagdeo) has failed us,” the opposition vows to continue trying its best to scrutinize the “shady deals” being made by the government resulting in the vulnerability of Guyana.

This pledge of continued scrutiny was made yesterday by Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), David Granger at a Party Press Conference held at Congress Place. (PNC/R is the major player in the coalition; A Partnership for National Unity.)

Granger was at the time responding to a question posed by this newspaper on the recent revelations about Guyana’s largest logging company-Bai Shan Lin.

Over the past two days, this newspaper has carried articles informing about the magnitude of logs Bai Shan Lin exports out of Guyana on a daily basis. Granger said that it certainly seems as if there is a back seat driver in the vehicle of the deal.

He added that his Party is of the opinion that there is a shadowy influence over President Donald Ramotar who seems to be extremely committed to several projects which he inherited from his predecessor.

The politician said that while his Party does not have much evidence on the matter, “we are deeply concerned with the behavior of some foreign companies operating in Guyana.”

Granger added that they will continue to scrutinize, through the National Assembly and advisors, the behavior and performance of these companies.
The Party leader said that from what he saw in the press, it is clear that Bai Shan Lin has crossed certain boundaries.

He added that the activities being perpetuated by the company may very well be in contradiction with the laws of Guyana.

Also, Chairman of the Party, Basil Williams said that the contract between the Government and Bai Shan Lin must be made available. He said that that will answer all outstanding questions.

This newspaper paid a visit to Kwakwani, Region Ten, on Wednesday, and found that in addition to the numerous containers of logs that Bai Shan Lin ships out the country on a daily basis, freighters loaded with logs are taken out from Kwakwani as well.

On the journey to Kwakwani, Kaieteur News noticed a number of loaded trucks, carrying Bai Shan Lin’s logo, making their way to Georgetown. Then there were 24 containers of logs that were shown on the front page of this newspaper on the Thursday August 7 edition as they waited to be exported.
A short distance from Edward’s Crossing, was a freighter already loaded with logs ready to be shipped. On land, just beside where the vessel was anchored, lay hundreds of logs that were already marked and ready to be shipped.

Information received is that Bai Shan Lin uses that vessel to export the merchandise.

The vessel is named Yuan Heng Freighter. Kaieteur News was told that when one boat goes another comes, and so it rotates.

Residents of Kwakwani estimated that no less than 30 container trucks pass through the streets of their community daily.

In June, Bai Shan Lin submitted an application to the Environmental Protection Agency seeking environmental authorization to undertake a large scale logging and sawmill operation.

According to the public notice, the company asked for the authorization for several areas.

One official from the Guyana Forestry Commission explained that Bai Shan Lin International Forest Development does not have an actual licence for the exportation of logs. What the company has is a State Forest Exploration Permit.

Bai Shan Lin was asked before to comply with statutory rules of the relevant agencies. Earlier this year it was found that Bai Shan Lin did not have the statutory regulatory blessings of Lands and Surveys, Geology and Mines or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Kaieteur News confirmed that the EPA has not given Bai Shan Lin permission to operate in the Berbice River. This is the same river that runs through Kwakwani.

Bai Shan Lin has been granted a forestry concession that amounts to close to one million hectares of rainforest, from which it extracts logs and ship them out of Guyana. The company estimates that it will make US$1,800 from each hectare of land, giving it profits totaling US$1.7 billion, according to redd-monitor.org.

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Not only in containers… Chinese vessel exporting logs in bulk

August 8, 2014 | By  Posts by KNews

Company moves like thieves in the night- Residents
The largest logging company in Guyana, Bai Shan Lin, is doing way more than the public knows and is doing so without the permission of relevant authorities.

This newspaper paid a visit to Kwakwani, Region Ten, and found that—in the words of a Kwakwani resident—Bai Shan Lin is “taking all it can get and using every way dem can think of to carry lumber out of this country.”

On the journey to Kwakwani, Kaieteur News noticed a number of loaded trucks, carrying Bai Shan Lin’s logo, making their way to Georgetown. Then there were 24 containers of logs that were shown on the front page of this newspaper Thursday August 7 edition as they waited to be exported.

But when Kaieteur News finally arrived at Kwakwani Waterfront, something else was discovered.

A short distance from Edward’s Crossing, was a freighter already loaded with logs ready to be shipped. On land, just beside where the vessel was anchored, lay hundreds of logs that were already marked and ready to be shipped.

Information received is that Bai Shan Lin, in addition to the numerous containers of logs it sends out every day, uses that vessel to export the merchandise.

Caption for video above: A  Chinese freighter already loaded with logs in the Berbice River at Kwakwani. On land, just beside where the vessel was anchored, lay hundreds of logs that were already marked and ready to be shipped

The vessel is named Yuan Heng Freighter. Kaieteur News was told that when one boat goes another comes, and so it rotates.

Residents of Kwakwani estimated that no less than 30 container trucks pass through the streets of their community daily. But a worker at the toll booth of Edward’s Crossing told this newspaper different. One person said that 12 trucks pass daily while another said it was about 15.
Kaieteur News has been told that each truck has a toll cost of $50,000.
Residents said that about 10 to 15 trucks pass out through the day, but explained that the greater amount, as many as twice that amount, would leave in the night.

“They move like real thieves in the night. Every religious night when you sleeping you does hear dem passing through, one after de other. But de sound don’t affect we that much no more, we get accustom to it,” said one resident.

Another resident said, “One thing you can’t stop dem Chinese with; dem does wuk hard. Is nah easy fuh prepare all them logs fuh shipment. You got to cut it, mark it and all duh. Me husband use to wuk with dem. Don’t think is no li’l operation. Dem does cut down everything dem lay eye pon.”

In June, Bai Shan Lin submitted an application to the Environmental Protection Agency seeking environmental authorization to undertake a large scale logging and sawmill operation.

Caption for video above: A Bai Shan Lin container truck laden with logs at Kwakwani

According to the public notice, the company asked for the authorization for several areas including the Left Bank Essequibo River, Right Bank Berbice River, Right Bank Essequibo River, Left Bank Corentyne River, Left Bank Lysles River, River Bank Berbice River, and Right Bank Powis River, Regions Nine and Six.

One official from the Guyana Forestry Commission explained that Bai Shan Lin International Forest Development does not have an actual licence for the exportation of logs. What the company has is a Spate Forest Exploration Permit.

Bai Shan Lin was asked before to comply with statutory rules of the relevant agencies. Earlier this year it was found that Bai Shan Lin, even though it is such a major company, did not have the statutory regulatory blessings of Lands and Surveys, Geology and Mines or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Yesterday Kaieteur News confirmed that the EPA has not given Bai Shan Lin permission to operate in the Berbice River. This is the same river that runs through Kwakwani.

Bai Shan Lin has been granted a forestry concession that amounts to close to one million hectares of rainforest, from which it plans to extract logs and ship them out of Guyana. The company estimates that it will make US$1,800 from each hectare of land, giving it profits totaling US$1.7 billion, according to redd-monitor.org.

FM
Last edited by Former Member

We get less than the worth of one panda the chinese rent to a us zoo for a year of our forest giants being shipped to China...that is over 4000 containers by some estimate...but we do not know. The crooks in the PPP do not count...except for the kickback they get.

 

No patriotic Guyanese can allow this rape to happen before their eyes. We are not getting any money!!!!!!

FM

How can the PPP be so crooked and unpatriotic? These people are raising our country to the ground. If the Guyanese people continue to keep the PPP in power, the Chinese will hoard away even our grasshoppers and cockroaches. We need to stop these Chinese at all cost before it is too late.

Mr.T

Bai Shan Lin exploiting Region 10

August 8, 2014 | By | Filed Under News 

 

…unable to say how much land under its control – Solomon

Investments in Region Ten must be mutually beneficial, but this is not the case with Bai Shan Lin. Instead, the Chinese company is raping the region of its resources through massive exploitation, says Region Ten Chairman, Sharma Solomon, who in an interview with this publication at his office in Linden on Wednesday, bemoaned what has been transpiring in the region in recent years, as it relates to the logging company.


Solomon told this publication that over 60 per cent of logging done in Guyana comes through or is from Region Ten.


Bai Shan Lin is now the largest logging operator in the country and according to Solomon, most of its logging is conducted in Region Ten.
“They are contributing significantly toward the exploitation of resources in that area,” said Solomon.


According to Regional Chairman, the company has massively expanded its operations, and to date, an Environmental Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) has not been done, despite repeated requests by the Region.

Region 10 Chairman, Sharma Solomon  

Region 10 Chairman, Sharma Solomon

 

They (Bai Shan Lin) are far advanced in their operations and they have still not done an ESIA to see what impact they have on the people in the region, he said.


Another source of lamentation over the company has been its compliance with set regulations.


“We have always expressed concerns about Bai Shan Lin’s ability to comply with standards and regulations; we have always complained about that.”
He used as example the processing plant that the company has established along the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway and without compliance from any statutory agency, the company removed over 47,000 tonnes of loam to build the base of the plant, “in the process destroying and disrupting the lives of the people of Moblissa.”


According to Solomon, in the process of building the plant, the company completely destroyed the farm to market road, and it was only when the people threatened to shut down the company that any action was taken.
He said, too, that action on the part of Bai Shan Lin to repair the road also included an intervention by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.
Solomon said, too, that the Region is still extremely concerned that to date the statutory agencies that should be certifying the actions of Bai Shan Lin may not be doing so. He told this publication that efforts by the Region to secure the necessary documentation to see that this is being done have proven futile thus far.


The statutory bodies that Solomon is referring to, include the Guyana Forestry Commission, Lands and Surveys, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commissions among others.
“We have always said that we welcome investments; that we welcome the opportunity to develop the Region.”


According to Solomon, the investments must be based on mutual benefits.
He said that the companies can be allowed to benefit, “but the community must be able to benefit and the people must also be able to feel comfortable that these investments will not disrupt their lives.”

One of the many container trucks used by Bai Shan Lin to export its logs, on the Linden-Kwakwani Road

One of the many container trucks used by Bai Shan Lin to export its logs, on the Linden-Kwakwani Road

 

Solomon said that Bai Shan Lin and the other loggers using the road are destroying it, and when they are approached to assist in repairing it, the companies insist that they already pay royalties and taxes to Government.
“I believe that those companies must understand it is not doing well for social corporate responsibility and the government too must understand that after taking so much taxes and making so much off of these infrastructure, they must be prepared to put back into it.”
Meanwhile, as it relates to the amount of lands that Bai Shan Lin is currently logging from within the region, Solomon said that this is difficult to assess.


He explained that it is difficult to ascertain the concessions under which Bai Shan Lin is operating, given that outside of what is registered officially at the Guyana Forestry Commission for them, “there is a new arrangement that exists in the Region now where many associations and many loggers with concessions are in essence sub-leasing.”


According to Solomon, there is a lot of intertwining of the holders of concessions and those who are exploiting the concessions. He noted too that many of those who would have collaborated with companies such as Bai Shan Lin are not reaping the benefits they would have signed on to.

FM

Why is the GFC not monitoring the export of high-value logs by Asian companies

Posted By Staff Writer On August 9, 2014 @ 5:09 am In Letters | ]

Dear Editor


Full marks to Kaieteur News whose front-page photograph of a convoy of containers of logs bound for China eloquently conveyed more than a thousand words could (‘Bai Shan Lin circumvents Guyana’s logging laws…Ships Billions $$$$ of high priced logs monthly,’ August 7.
That newspaper’s interpretation was that the Asian loggers have now so thoroughly corrupted the system that the Asians are effectively exempt from legal controls on forest harvesting and export but at the same time are allowed to claim substantial foreign direct investment (FDI) tax concessions.

That interpretation is supported by the more than 10 per cent increase in roundwood-equivalent volume produced in 2013 compared with 2012. This is also an increase of more than 10 per cent above the baseline production limit (average of years 2003-2008) agreed for the Norway-Guyana MoU.


There are no functioning controls on the import and use of Asian-origin workers by the Asian loggers, and no requirements to train or employ Guyanese. Barama continually declares that it is making no profits which are taxable in Guyana, and it is probable that the other Asian loggers are similar tax-avoiders.

GFC keeps away from the Asian loggers but harasses and penalises the Guyanese chainsaw operators and small loggers’ associations, including Amerindians – as revealed by the GFC annual reports 2005-2012 delivered to the National Assembly in November 2013.

Norway and other donors are currently paying the GFC “in the region of US$500,000 per year” for Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) work on forest carbon assessment, on top of the US$3 million received by GFC for MRV to date (see: 2013 Report of LTS International, Ecometrica, Indufor Oy, and Chr. Michelsen Institute. ‘Real-Time Evaluation of Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative. Contribution to Measurement, Reporting and Verification,’ pages 47 and 57).

The question Guyanese could well be asking is, why is the GFC not monitoring, reporting and verifying (MRV-ing) the haemorrhage of high-value logs by Bai Shan Lin, and the other Asian log traders with none of the local processing and in-country value-addition required by parliament-approved national policy?

None of the Norway-commissioned auditors appears to notice the volume of analysis and comment on the (mis)management of natural resources, such as the giveaway/firesale of Guyana’s logs, published frequently in the independent press.

Meanwhile Bai Shan Lin and the rest of the Asian loggers rightly hold all Guyanese in contempt for not valuing our national patrimony while the logging of natural forest has been considerably restricted in China since 1998. The Asian loggers merrily carry on log exporting, while the GFC is MRV-ing and people in the ministries, the GRA and other government agencies look the other way.


Yours faithfully,
Janette Bulkan


Article printed from Stabroek News: http://www.stabroeknews.com
URL to article: http://www.stabroeknews.com/20...ogs-asian-companies/

FM

Having timber is like having US cash in hand.  Organized crime is now big into timber around the world. In places like Mexico the cartels are not only into drugs now but are also into timber.

FM
Originally Posted by warrior:
Originally Posted by Mr.T:

They build houses and furniture with the logs.

and export it as finish products 

Columbus you discovered America! What a surprise.

FM
Originally Posted by seignet:

What types of log are considered high priced logs.

Many of our woods are unique, our hardwoods especially. One log can produce artifacts accruing to millions. Our other woods are used to produce high priced products as guitars, pianos, etc and fine furniture. These woods are used as ornamental most of the time not as building material for homes.Their after market value is in the billions.

FM
Originally Posted by skeldon_man:
Originally Posted by warrior:
Originally Posted by Mr.T:

They build houses and furniture with the logs.

and export it as finish products 

Columbus you discovered America! What a surprise.

you know you will run and hide 

FM

They must be projecting for a future market. The present world economies are shrinking. Europe and North American middle classes are depressed. Solid wood furniture are very pricy as can be observed in North America. I wonder if IKEA is their target. Purpleheart and Jatoba are cultivated in Costa Rica on large scale farms-sustainable. Those woods have large grains and not good for high priced furnitures. I am still puzzled by the Chinese interests in acquiring all that lumber. 

S
Originally Posted by seignet:

They must be projecting for a future market. The present world economies are shrinking. Europe and North American middle classes are depressed. Solid wood furniture are very pricy as can be observed in North America. I wonder if IKEA is their target. Purpleheart and Jatoba are cultivated in Costa Rica on large scale farms-sustainable. Those woods have large grains and not good for high priced furnitures. I am still puzzled by the Chinese interests in acquiring all that lumber. 

Real wood products do not exist anymore except in upscale bouquet establishment where they have doormen screening clients.

FM

Govt. doesn’t see it necessary to fully scrutinize deals with China

June 8, 2014 | By | Filed Under News 

Welcomes more Chinese investments even at a threat of takeover – President  

 

By Abena Rockcliffe
It is becoming clearer that Guyana rarely knows fully what it is getting itself into when it comes to deals made with China. That was the sentiment expressed by several politicians yesterday after learning that there has been no proper study on the deals Guyana and China has entered into.


For the last few years China has maintained a heavy presence in Guyana and has been sealing some “attractive deals” as more of its nationals take up residence here.


Yesterday at a Presidential Press conference hosted at State House, Donald Ramotar was asked whether his Administration is even the least bit concerned about the amount of stakes China has in Guyana. This question, which was posed by Kaieteur News, was contextualized against the backdrop of a number of international reports which highlighted a trend in Chinese takeover of developing counties.


Appearing extremely anxious to respond, even before the last word of the question could have been spoken, President Ramotar stated “Absolutely not, I welcome Chinese investments in this country as I would welcome any other.”


He told the media that Guyana needs investments and if one follows the trend around the world, one would notice that the Chinese seem to have capital available to drive the world’s economy


The Head of State even made mention of the controversial railroad that China is building in Africa which would run from the coast all the way to landlocked Uganda and beyond.


The President’s contention is that these developments haven’t been done before and the Chinese are now making it possible, so why not.
He urged the media not to fall for the “populace’ view about criticizing the Chinese; their investments are important to us and we welcome it.”


Questioned as to whether there was a think-tank group to determine if the projects being funded by China were good deals and if this group saw the inclusion of financial experts, the President responded in the negative. He told the media that he was unaware that he had to set up a think-tank group for everything the Chinese proposed. “If the Chinese want to come and build a ship that is working from Berbice to Georgetown, should I set up a think-tank to look at that?”


He added that Guyana has very clear guidelines for investments and that he is not of the opinion that the Chinese are acting outside of these.
The President was also asked if Guyana could have accessed better rates from other banks. He, however, responded that it is quite the opposite, as China offers the best deals. According to Ramotar, “they are far more favourable and the speed at which the Chinese can conclude transactions is especially favoured by the Government.”


Guyana is deeply indebted to China and the country continues to borrow more.


Many nations that fell victim are now beginning to observe China’s strategy. As recent as a few weeks ago, this newspaper published an article that reflected what is happening in other jurisdictions. That piece reflected exactly what is happening in Guyana.The article, which first appeared in the New York Times, highlighted the shady deals and contracts “greased with monetary bribes and other enticements like expense-paid shopping trips to China and scholarships for elite children.


The article said that natives of Africa have realized the penalties of making certain deals and have begun to doubt that China has their interest in their well being.


The article noted, “The doubts aren’t coming from any soured feelings from African leaders themselves, most of whom still welcome (and profit from) China’s embrace. The new skepticism has even less to do with the hectoring of Western governments, the traditional source of Africa’s foreign aid and investment (and interference).”

 

In a 2012 speech in Senegal, Hillary Rodham Clinton, then Secretary of State, implicitly warned Africa about China. The continent needs “a model of sustainable partnership that adds value, rather than extracts it,” she said, adding that unlike other countries, “America will stand up for democracy and universal human rights even when it might be easier to look the other way and keep the resources flowing.”


The article also reflected that independent media have played an important role in demanding more scrutiny of government deals with Beijing”…A recent op-ed article in one of Kenya’s leading newspapers, The Daily Nation, questioned whether a huge new Chinese investment in a railroad that would run from the coast all the way to landlocked Uganda and beyond was truly a good deal. The project’s first phase will increase Kenya’s external debt by a third.” That railroad is the same one that President Ramotar referred to.


The New York Times article also noted that Kenya could have sought the financing for a project like this through the World Bank, which would have cost as little as a third of the Chinese commercial loan. But that would have required time-consuming processes, from competitive bidding to rigorous environmental and feasibility studies.

 


The crux of the problem, according to New York Times, is (though not limited to China) the reliance on “shady arrangements made at the very top of the political system, often in the president’s office itself. Contracts are greased with monetary bribes and other enticements like expense-paid shopping trips to China and scholarships there for elite children. Adding to the opacity, China typically favors its state-owned companies for African projects and bypasses open, competitive bidding procedures.

FM

Norway and other donors are currently paying the GFC “in the region of US$500,000 per year” for Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) work on forest carbon assessment, on top of the US$3 million received by GFC for MRV to date (see: 2013 Report of LTS International, Ecometrica, Indufor Oy, and Chr. Michelsen Institute. ‘Real-Time Evaluation of Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative. Contribution to Measurement, Reporting and Verification,’ pages 47 and 57).

The question Guyanese could well be asking is, why is the GFC not monitoring, reporting and verifying (MRV-ing) the haemorrhage of high-value logs by Bai Shan Lin, and the other Asian log traders with none of the local processing and in-country value-addition required by parliament-approved national policy?

Mitwah
Originally Posted by Mitwah:

Norway and other donors are currently paying the GFC “in the region of US$500,000 per year” for Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) work on forest carbon assessment, on top of the US$3 million received by GFC for MRV to date (see: 2013 Report of LTS International, Ecometrica, Indufor Oy, and Chr. Michelsen Institute. ‘Real-Time Evaluation of Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative. Contribution to Measurement, Reporting and Verification,’ pages 47 and 57).

The question Guyanese could well be asking is, why is the GFC not monitoring, reporting and verifying (MRV-ing) the haemorrhage of high-value logs by Bai Shan Lin, and the other Asian log traders with none of the local processing and in-country value-addition required by parliament-approved national policy?

This PPP has a lot of explaining to do. This is one of the reasons they are gong to lose and big. Guyanese never knew that despite their sufferings the Chinese were profiting on their backs as the PPP get rich.

FM

Some of those pictures are troubling, if they are accurate.

 

We need an official comment for the minister responsible for Forestry. He better hold on thight to his bukta if these pictures are accurate. The Chinese are vicious in their capitalistic ventures.

 

I avoided this thread for a couple of days now but the pictures are now troubling.

 

FM
Originally Posted by Stormborn:

that is not 10 acres. That is closer to 30 acres.

 

We planted vast quantities of rice in Guyana, that is a lot more than 30 acres. Troubling, very troubling.

FM

Bai Shan Lin’s “kickbacks” seem to have silenced Govt. – MP Harmon

August 13, 2014 | By | Filed Under News 

  “The government is silent about this immoral and abusive act and there can only be one logical conclusion for that—they are benefitting financially in exchange for allowing the rape to continue. Citizens need to understand the corrupt beast that it (Govt.) is dealing with. It is only a win-win deal for the parties involved and Bai Shan Lin’s kickbacks seem to have silenced the government.” This is the contention of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) member on the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources, Joseph Harmon.

Joseph Harmon, APNU Parliamentarian

Joseph Harmon, APNU Parliamentarian

After seeing the aerial view pictures of huge piles of hundreds of Guyana’s precious logs stocked and waiting to be shipped from one of Bai Shan Lin’s Kwakwani areas, Harmon believes that the evidence showcased by Kaieteur News yesterday is simply “horrendous.” “It is sickening to come to grips with the reality that former President Bharrat Jagdeo invited Bai Shan Lin to this country under the pretext that it was going to foster good developments, and all along the true intention was to rape this country of its resources. This underscores the need for the Ramotar administration to resign en bloc. “They have no interest in protecting the people. They have fooled this country. It seems that this Government is being paid to shut its mouth.” The MP pointed out that at a meeting of the Natural Resources Committee in the Parliament Office, Head of the Guyana Forestry Commission, James Singh, was requested to provide information in relation to the contractual arrangements that Government has with Bai Shan Lin, a Chinese company that has been in the spotlight for several months now, for its questionable activities. Singh, according to Harmon, said that the Commission does not have a copy of the contract. The Parliamentary Committee was referred to the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) for more information. But when contacted, GO-Invest was not even aware of the agreements. “This is a most serious matter, because we have a Government that is so greedy and selfish that it is incapable of understanding that it has the responsibilities to protect the natural resources of this country.” Commissioner Singh had defended GFC saying that Bai Shan Lin is not operating in an illegal manner, but Harmon contends that he does not trust what the nation is being told about what is legal and what isn’t in this matter.

Workers at the log pond site, east of Kwakwani bauxite mines, Berbice River.

Workers at the log pond site, east of Kwakwani bauxite mines, Berbice River.

“These companies are just being encouraged to gut this country, and indicators show that Guyana is slipping further into the abyss of poverty.” The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had made it clear that Bai Shan Lin does not have permission to cut or log.  In fact, EPA denied ever giving the Chinese company any permission to do logging. A senior official at the EPA explained it is currently in discussions with the company in relation to “scoping”. “Scoping” is another aspect of its Environmental Assessment which Bai Shan Lin needs to complete. This publication understands that once everything is done in accordance with the prescribed requirements, the EPA would grant Bai Shan Lin an “Environmental Authorization Permit.” This would give the company the right to log and harvest timber. Though it is currently without a logging licence, Bai Shan Lin has teamed up with four others in joint ventures to export billions of dollars in logs.

GFC stamped logs awaiting pickup by Bai Shan Lin.

GFC stamped logs awaiting pickup by Bai Shan Lin.

It is in possession of a State Forest Exploration Permit (SFEP) which allows for an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, not large-scale logging. A Forestry official said that at present, the company should only be engaging in limited exploration logging. In June, Bai Shan Lin submitted an application to the EPA seeking environmental authorization to undertake a large-scale logging and sawmill operation for several areas, including on the left bank of the Essequibo River, along the Berbice River and in Regions Nine and Six. That application is still pending. The Environmental Protections Act of 1996 says that an “Environmental Impact Assessment” is required before any decision is taken to approve or reject a project of this magnitude. EPA had invited members of the public to submit, within 28 days of the notice, questions or objections. It is not clear whether this process is completed. Bai Shan Lin has claimed access to forestry concessions that amount to close to one million hectares of rainforest, from which it plans to extract logs and ship them out of Guyana. However, Government has denied it was that much. The company estimates that it will make US$1,800 from each hectare of land, giving it profits totaling US$1.7 billion, according to redd-monitor.org. Additionally, the company sought permission to dig up a 20-kilometre stretch of river to look for gold. Other plans include setting up what it is called a Guyana-China Timber Industry Economic and Trading Corporation Park, plus a 400-acre real estate development. The plans were announced in 2012 by Chu Wenze, Chairman of Bai Shan Lin, at the Second World Congress on Timber and Wood Products Trade in Taicang, China.

These logs were but part of several piles along the Kwakwani/Ituni trail

These logs were but part of several piles along the Kwakwani/Ituni trail

Those plans were announced even before Guyana knew of it. The country became aware of what was happening only when Bai Shan Lin officials visited Guyana and held discussions with President Donald Ramotar and other government officials. Redd-monitor.org stated that in November 2012, Chu Wenze’s plans have threatened Guyana’s proposals to reduce deforestation and forest degradation. Bai Shan Lin is part of a group of 11 companies operating in Guyana. They are all part of the China Forest Industry Group (Hong Kong).

Mitwah

Bai Shan Lin ignores local requirement in exporting Locust wood to China

August 13, 2014 | By | Filed Under News 

 

Unprocessed Locust and Crabwood should first satisfy local demand before any such wood can be exported overseas; but this is not the case with Bai Shan Lin. It has been found that the company is planning to export over the course of the next six months, 250,000BM of Locust wood, despite local operators approaching them to buy.

Some of the locust wood ready for shipment to China while local demand is being ignored

Some of the locust wood ready for shipment to China while local demand is being ignored

On Monday last, Haimorakabra Logging Inc, one of Bai Shan Lin’s companies, wrote to the Guyana Manufacturers and Services Association (GM&SA) to indicate its intention to ship the lumber. Haimorakabra Logging Inc. is now owned by Bai Shan Lin International Forest Development Inc. A representative from a local company had approached the company last week to purchase some of the Locust wood for local consumption. This publication has since been told that Gao Yuan, Manager of the Chinese-owned operations reportedly expressed shock that the Locust wood was advertised for sale since he indicated that it was destined for export to China. According to the letter of intention addressed to GMSA’s President, Clinton Williams, by Yuan, the company intends to ship the wood to Heilongjiang Baishanlin Wood Company Ltd., in China. Government had initially not made known what exactly are their arrangements with Bai Shan Lin. The company is now facing investigations by the Opposition after revelations that it is involved in large-scale logging, even allegedly hiding behind third parties to mask the exports. There have been questions over the company’s involvement in Guyana, with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment appearing in Parliament to answer questions. A look at export figures, unofficially supplied, indicated that for the first half of 2013, some 30,000 cubic metres of timber products were exported. For the first half of 2014, this figure rose to over 50,000 cubic metres. This would be significant as Guyana has introduced what is known as a disincentive scheme – a gradually increasing tax and royalty scheme. Despite the increase in tax, the exports have shot up. The Guyana Forestry Commission itself has not explained the rise in the exports, but industry insiders said that Bai Shan Lin is playing a major part in this. The deals with the company were reportedly signed during the period when former President Bharrat Jagdeo was heavily promoting his Low Carbon Development Strategy which among other things targeted increased tracking of illegal logging.

Mitwah

Residents growing weary of Bai Shan Lin’s exploitation, destruction

August 13, 2014 | By | Filed Under News 

– Region 10 Chairman  

What is now being highlighted by Kaieteur News for all of Guyana, and indeed the regional and international communities to see, comes as no shock to Region 10.

Region 10 Chairman, Sharma Solomon.

Region 10 Chairman, Sharma Solomon.

“Our region has been dealing with this for some time now, but we are pleased that we are no longer fighting alone.”
This was expressed by Region 10 Chairman, Sharma Solomon, as he explained the extent to which Bai Shan Lin International has been going in terms of “the exploitation, disruption and destruction of Region 10”.
In an exclusive interview yesterday, Solomon told Kaieteur News that Region 10 residents and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), which manages the region, have for years been dealing with what is now being exposed by Kaieteur News.
“For years this region has been fighting for Guyana and Guyanese to be respected by foreign companies. The country must be able to benefit from its national resources.”
According to Solomon, residents dwelling in Coomacka, Moblissa, Bamia, Kwakwani and Ituni can fully attest to the “wanton robbery and destruction of the region’s environment and infrastructure”.
“It’s nothing new to those dwelling in Coomacka, as they know the truth about the processing plant that Bai Shan Lin was supposed to be operating there.”
The Chairman said, that considerable concessions were given to Bai Shan Lin for the plant that the company operated for a few months, but instead closed it and started concentrating on logging in the area.
“We know too that other areas in the Coomacka Mines were almost given away to Asian companies.”
Solomon added that “It is nothing new to the farmers of Bamia (located at the right bank of the Demerara River) who were displaced when Bai Shan Lin was, through NICIL, given concessions to operate there.”
The Chairman lamented that he still does not know what exactly the arrangements are between NICIL and Bai Shan Lin.
Solomon also stressed that there were five meetings between Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and the then head of the Guyana Forestry Commission, Clinton Williams, just to get Bai Shan Lin to respect the people of Moblissa
He noted that the Moblissa people had threatened to block trucks from passing and obstruct operations at the processing plant. Bai Shan Lin was forced to cooperate as a result.
“The people of Moblissa are not the only ones who had cause to stand up and fight for what is right in this regard. The residents of Kwakwani and Ituni also had to protest when they became fed up with the destruction and exploitation.”
Kaieteur News understands that 20 persons were arrested and taken before the courts for protesting on that occasion; 10 of whom remain before the court.
“It’s not yesterday. The RDC has been in constant battle with Bai Shan Lin. For years we have been fighting on behalf of the people,” Solomon reiterated.
Solomon said that the Region is very concerned about the lack of mutual benefits in a case like this and the region does not see the benefits in accommodating a company like Bai Shan Lin “that is all about exploitation, disruption and destruction.”
Solomon told Kaieteur News that at a recent meeting between the RDC and residents of Kwakwani, measures were discussed to deal with the situation. These included Bai Shan Lin fixing of the roads, but “frustration is building and we will have to act.”
NEXT STEP
The Region is now preparing to send letters to the Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and Ministry of Agriculture asking for the names of all companies extracting resources in Region 10.
“There are many other Asian companies operating in Region 10, they too are getting concessions, but the locals are not.”
Solomon believes that Bai Shan Lin is being encouraged to do wrong as it cannot be acting on its own accord. He said that even a very small sawmill has to do an Environmental Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) to ascertain how the dust will affect the community and so forth, but Bai Shan Lin was not required to do so.
“Someone in the government would have said to Bai Shan Lin that it is okay to have such a massive operation without the blessings of the statutory bodies.”
Solomon said that the region will no longer be looking to the Government for answers but instead seek to go straight to the company which has remained uncooperative.
“I recall during the protest on the Ituni/Kwakwani road an Asian gentleman noted, in plain English, that he could have made one phone call and have everything removed with immediate effect. This just shows that the company has representation high up.”

FM

Absolute greed of the Chinese. What the hell they be doing with that many logs. I believe their desire is to deplete the country of its resource and stock pile in China. The Chinese government should intervene as good measure for their foreign policies.

S
Originally Posted by seignet:

Absolute greed of the Chinese. What the hell they be doing with that many logs. I believe their desire is to deplete the country of its resource and stock pile in China. The Chinese government should intervene as good measure for their foreign policies.

The Corrupt PPP/C Government will not acede to that simply because the kickback will stop flowing.

FM

This man james singhs eh - bai shan lin can invetorise the forest, they can do a business plan and must pass the EPA test.

 

They can tek out one and two three fuh access the area but not mass scale reaping.

 

What the next video.

FM

if this is not whole sale raping of the forest by bai shan lin, what is?

 

This is what all them PPP crabs on gni support, whole sale raping of Guyana.

 

The PNC did it too.

 

Hoyte sell Demerara Timbers to Lord Beavebrock.

FM
Originally Posted by Brian Teekah:

This man james singhs eh - bai shan lin can invetorise the forest, they can do a business plan and must pass the EPA test.

 

They can tek out one and two three fuh access the area but not mass scale reaping.

 

What the next video.

These fellows are just jokers. They cannot tell us the company is not allowed to extract logs and the above is clearly about log extraction on a massive scale.


They have a full page ad in Kaiteurnews today trying to wriggle out of this obscene pillage of our national forest under their watch.

FM

Amazing...the Guyanese deny the Chinese are shipping logs illegally when everywhere that is what they do. I am perusing the internet for stories of good corporate behavior in the Chinese logging industry and there is none.

 

It is a mass of crooked deals, disrespect for local laws and brazen pillage.

FM
Originally Posted by Stormborn:

Amazing...the Guyanese deny the Chinese are shipping logs illegally when everywhere that is what they do. I am perusing the internet for stories of good corporate behavior in the Chinese logging industry and there is none.

 

It is a mass of crooked deals, disrespect for local laws and brazen pillage.

the chinese trading fried rice with the ppp for logs

FM
Originally Posted by Stormborn:

The PPP simply does not care except that their pockets are lined and they can raise their children in wealth in the west. Let the Guyanese eat cake!

you getting cake is there any milk 

FM
Originally Posted by Mitwah:

I wonder how many of the Chinese are registered to vote?

You can register 500,000 of them. It doesn't matter. Who can tell the difference? They all look alike.

FM

I care passionately for the environment and hope that he PPP take action against violations of any signed agreement. It is also eye pass that the roads are being destroyed.

 

Force this unethical company to fix the roads or stop using them.

 

Let us all unite regardless of political stripe to condemn this company.

FM
Originally Posted by Brian Teekah:

 

This is what all them PPP crabs on gni support, whole sale raping of Guyana.

 

The PNC did it too.

 

Hoyte sell Demerara Timbers to Lord Beavebrock.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Behave your self and stop painting everyone with the same brush. I am a strong defender of the Environment and preservation of Native Reserves and I have spoken out.

 

Yuji

FM

The three Chinese officials who are in Guyana overseeing the extraction of logs who were accused of skirting the laws of Cameroon and damaging the environment  need to get the hell out. The government need to identify them and ask them to leave.

FM

Bai Shan Jagdeo 

Bai Shan Lin controls over a Million Hectares of Guyana forests through a variety of companies they have bought up in Guyana. They hide the ownership through these various companies.

TSAs

02/1985 Nagasar Sawh 29,175  02/1991,

Demerara Timbers Ltd. 485,692

01/1999 WAICO (Wood Associated Industries Ltd.) 26,074

03/2005 Garner Forest Industries 92,737

01/2007 Puruni Woods Products Inc. 107,665

04/2009 Kwebanna Wood Products 87,356

? Karlam South American Timber (Guyana) Inc. 105,056

01/2011 Haimorakabra Logging Company Inc. A 16,271

Haimorakabra Logging Company Inc. B 35,859

Sub-total -

TSAs

985,885

This is just a shap shot of a few of the companies they own.

SFEPs

01/2007 Sherwood Forrests Inc. 167,066

01/2011 Baishanlin International Forest Industry Development Co. Ltd. A

41,414

01/2011 Baishanlin International Forest Industry Development Co. Ltd. B

63,360

Unknown Unknown 73,015

This figure is stunning this company actually controls more forest than Barama which hires a ton of Guyanese to work for them. If you compare the employees of Barama and the revenues Barama pays to the government vs. Bai Shan Lin it is night and day. BSL pays nothing Guyana compared to Barama.

Total -

Baishanlin   1,338,910 Hectares

Barama Co. Ltd.  1,601,577 Hectares.

Mitwah
Originally Posted by Mars:

You passed this document on to me almost two years ago. I am sorry I did not post it because I thought the government knew and was taking steps on our behalf to secure our necessary financial. Instead they were in with the Chinese on the grand larceny.

FM

Timber harvest Profit

 

Even without thieving the are in for a grand profit margin. Note the last line. The think they can get the right for permanent forest management rights ie Guyana forest is their to pillage in perpetuity per this crooked PPP

Attachments

Images (1)
  • Timber harvest Profit
FM

Policy advantage

 

Timber Processing is the priority and encouraged Industry in Guyana!!! Read the last line above also. They see us also as an immigration pathway! No wonder so many of these crooks in the PPP are wallowing in cash....

Attachments

Images (1)
  • Policy advantage
FM

Ban Shai lin does not hire local workers But this is not news. Chinese company in general do not hire local workers. They always have and excuse as to why not and weak governments like the PPP accept the paltry excuse because they need the facade of  development not to mention the usual kickbacks

FM
Originally Posted by Stormborn:
Originally Posted by Mars:

You passed this document on to me almost two years ago. I am sorry I did not post it because I thought the government knew and was taking steps on our behalf to secure our necessary financial. Instead they were in with the Chinese on the grand larceny.

Even back then, we knew that there was something fishy going on but we did not know the true extent. As it turned out, it's just another crooked project that the PPP are involved in.

Mars
Originally Posted by Mars:
Originally Posted by Stormborn:
Originally Posted by Mars:

You passed this document on to me almost two years ago. I am sorry I did not post it because I thought the government knew and was taking steps on our behalf to secure our necessary financial. Instead they were in with the Chinese on the grand larceny.

Even back then, we knew that there was something fishy going on but we did not know the true extent. As it turned out, it's just another crooked project that the PPP are involved in.

Mr Persaud and Mr Ally and Mr Jagdeo doing anything for kick back

FM

Tracking website shows significant exotic wood exports by Bai Shan Lin

August 15, 2014 | By | Filed Under News 

 

- without proper declaration

More information continues to surface about the operations of Chinese company, Bai Shan Lin, in Guyana. Several questions which have now arisen include whether Bai Shan Lin, among other companies, is exporting rare wood such as Locust and Wamara, without declaration to the Customs Administration. Several sources within the Ministry of Natural Resources have said that the Wamara business is among the most lucrative business ventures that Bai Shan Lin is currently involved in.  This newspaper was also told that the company has essentially infiltrated the market, since Guyana is providing the precious raw material at giveaway prices. This newspaper was also told that low level ministry workers along with forestry officials who are tasked with monitoring the export of timber aren’t able to complete their task. Some have expressed that since Bai Shan Lin along with several others entered into joint ventures, it has been “almost impossible” to have a tab on how much timber is being exported from Guyana. An online search using Worldwide Export Tracker, Panjiva, provides some perspective.  Panjiva, a New York-based company, is the first and only online information source designed to provide a level of transparency into overseas suppliers. Leveraging this type of trade data from suppliers, Panjiva is able to produce details of trends within sectors. Information published by Panjiva has been used by news websites such as FT.com and CNNMoney.com, where it has been described as “innovative and revolutionary”. Panjiva was started by Josh Green (CEO) and Jim Psota (CTO) in 2006. The website shows that Bai Shan Lin started exporting logs from Guyana since 2008. According to Panjiva, Bai Shan Lin Investments on December 26, 2008 exported 74,095 pieces of “SawnTimber (Mixed Floor Boards).   In 2009 Bai Shan Lin on July 9th exported Locust Sawn Timber. The company exported a total of 558 pieces from Guyana. The next month, Bai Shan Lin exported six containers with approximately 30,439 pieces of Greenheart Sawn Timber. In October 2009, the company exported Wamara Sawn Timber. A total of 5303 pieces were sent out in two containers. In September of 2010, Bai Shan Lin again sent out six more containers of mixed timber. It was explained that the company had exported a variety of exquisite timber. The pieces amount to 50,829. Further records would show that in December 2012 Bai Shan Lin exported 6771 pieces of Locust Sawn Timber. A few months later, the company in July, exported 24,136 pieces of mixed timber in seven containers. The online tracker updates daily and is expected to provide more information on such exports. Over the weekend, the (EPA) denied ever giving the Chinese company, Bai Shan Lin International Forest Development Inc. any permission to do logging. However, a senior official at the EPA said that as it stands right now, Bai Shan Lin is having meetings with them regarding “scoping”. It was explained that “scoping” is another aspect of the Environmental Assessment which Bai Shan Lin needs to complete. The official further told Kaieteur News that the EPA, once everything is done in accordance with the formal requirements, would grant Bai Shan Lin an “Environmental Authorization Permit” which gives the right to log and harvest timber. But the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) has denied that Bai Shan Lin was logging without a licence. Bai Shan Lin International Forest Development Inc. has teamed up with four others in joint ventures to export billions of dollars in timber monthly.

Mitwah

Bai Shan Lin logging scandal deepens…Company halts massive E’bo operations

August 15, 2014 | By | Filed Under News 

… but busy cutting new roads to Waini River

Chinese company, Bai Shan Lin’s operations in Kwakwani, Upper Berbice River, may have evoked widespread public

Chairman of Chinese-owned, Bai Shan Lin, Chu Wenze

Chairman of Chinese-owned, Bai Shan Lin, Chu Wenze

anger and disbelief over the magnitude, but there are indications now that those operations pale in comparison to what is happening in the Kwebanna, Waini area in Region One, Essequibo. Kaieteur News, as part of its investigations into the scope of the company’s operations, flew into Region One (Barima/Waini) this week and found that the company has halted its logging operations there in the face of increasing scrutiny of its Upper Berbice operations. The extent of the Essequibo activities reveals that the scope of logging operations by the company is way larger than Guyanese were initially led to believe. For several days now, several trucks, laden with massive logs have been sitting on the roadside in the dense jungle in the Kwebanna area. The logs, seen by Kaieteur News, have already been certified with stamps and seals of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). In Essequibo, the company has been logging various species of wood and selling what it is not exporting to Barama Company Limited, an establishment which has an operation based along the Essequibo River. Bai Shan Lin has also cut miles upon miles of road leading to the Waini River, and is looking to go even further. There was a huge fleet of heavy-duty vehicles – some 35 bulldozers, 10 excavators, loaders and about 40 dump trucks – present on several sections of the road being built. Equipment was also present at various locations near loam pits, working to extract material for the road. At several locations along the winding road, massive logs were seemingly left abandoned. This mimicked the state of play in Region Ten near the communities of Kwakwani, Ituni and Linden, in Region 10, where lCENTRE 5ogs were strategically left waiting for pickup. It is unclear why the company has stalled operations in Region One. At one location, several trucks were parked next to each other, but no one was in sight. Among the prized species of logs left unattended were some measuring as much as four feet in diameter and more than 70 feet in length. Included among them in great number was the high-valued Purpleheart. It is clear that Bai Shan Lin is serious about its investments as evidenced by the scores of vehicles and other heavy equipment in the area. Following investigations and reports by Kaieteur News over the past week on Bai Shan Lin’s operations, the GFC, headed by Commissioner James Singh, and its governing authority, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, led by Minister Robert Persaud, have launched an aggressive public relations campaign to defend the company. Already, questions are being raised as to why state agencies would push badly needed resources,PAGE 19 to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars already, into defending what essentially is a private company, more so a foreign one. Opposition Parliamentary parties have already accused senior government officials of colluding with the company to hide the true nature of its operations, and taking kickbacks which have caused them to shut up in the face of what could be glaring violations of Guyanese law. Bai Shan Lin has been boasting of having access to close to a million hectares of rainforest in Guyana as part of its mega investment plans. But Minister Persaud had said that the information was false and called on Bai Shan Lin to retract its claims. The company never did and Persaud never demanded that it did. On July 14, Persaud told the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources that the company only has access to 640,000 hectares of forest, with the majority being for various studies. Regarding forests to which the company has access, Commissioner of Forests, James Singh, said that Bai Shan Lin has two state forest permits. He said such permits are issued for a period of three years, and during that time the company has to do an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, along with a forest inventory. In addition, Singh said the company has to develop a business plan. Singh said that it is only if these documents receive a favourable review by the Forestry Commission’s Board, that the company can be issued with a Timber Sales Agreement (TSA) that would allow it to extract trees. The two PAGE 22state forest permits encompass three proposed forestry concession sites. Apart from this, the company was said to be involved in joint ventures with four local companies through which it has access to some 280,000 hectares of forest from which it can harvest timber for export. Those joint ventures are with Sherwood Forests, Haimorakabra Logging, Puruni Woods, and Kwebanna Wood Products. The logging activities of Bai Shan Lin would take on extreme significance because of the fact that company has not yet moved into its promised value-added processing phase. Guyana has actively been pursuing a reduction of log exports in favour of value-added operations, which would give the country more revenue and also provide more job opportunities for Guyanese. However, figures provided have shown a major increase in log exports, especially for the first half of this year. And the increase is being blamed on the aggressive logging activities of Bai Shan Lin and other foreign operators.

Mitwah

ECHO protests outside Ministry over Bai Shan Lin operations

August 15, 2014 | By | Filed Under News 

The Environmental Community Health Organization (ECHO) yesterday commenced the first in a series of events to raise public awareness about good governance in relation to the country’s natural environment, in the form of a picket exercise outside the Head Office of the Natural Resources Ministry at Brickdam.

ECHO demonstrators opposite the Natural Resources Ministry yesterday. At extreme left is Director Royston King

ECHO demonstrators opposite the Natural Resources Ministry yesterday. At extreme left is Director Royston King

During the protest, members of the body demanded that citizens be told the “truth” about the logging agreements made with Chinese company, Bai Shan Lin. The company is exporting large quantities of expensive logs and reportedly does not have the requisite documentation to do so. It is alleged that the company has devised a way to conduct exports through joint ventures with legitimate companies, while according to information; it is primarily permitted to conduct exploration. The Government is being accused of facilitating the activities of Bai Shan Lin because it came out in defence of its forest management policies and claimed that the company was just exporting small amounts of lumber. However, investigations by this newspaper revealed that large-scale logging activities are being conducted in the interior. ECHO members also called on the Ministry to be transparent and accountable to the people when handling the nation’s natural environment. Yesterday’s demonstrators called for Minister Robert Persaud – and by extension the Government – to step down if they cannot be responsible with the country’s resources and in this case, offer a plausible explanation of what the Chinese company and others like it, are doing in Guyana’s forested areas. ECHO’s Executive Director Royston King told the media that the organization is “conducting peaceful picket exercises in a bid to get a response from the government.” He explained that the organization is of the view that the log mining activity of the Chinese is causing serious environmental risks for the country, especially for the native communities that depend heavily on nature. “We want the Minister to tell us what is happening, specifically with Bai Shan Lin.” King said that the company seems to be cutting the forest resources capriciously, without considering the health and environmental effects. He said that ECHO is seeking to raise public awareness about the value of the country’s natural resources, their importance and the need to protect them. King said that the public needs to be informed and also understand the regulations, laws and rules associated with the protection of the nation’s natural resources. He stated also that transparency and accountability should also be a major factor in the accessing of natural resources since, like other sectors, it can be an avenue for corrupt practices if unmonitored. “We are asking for transparency and accountability, not only from the government, but also from these companies given concessions to extract. They should be accountable and accept their social responsibilities which speak to ethics and good environmental practices.” The ECHO Director said that the body will be hosting a special public forum at 5:15pm today at the National Library to speak on the ongoing issue. King said the body continues to engage its local and international partners on the matter and expects that speakers from international organizations such as PAHO and the UNDP will be available to speak on the topic of natural resources and good governance. King said the organization also plans to meet with persons in interior communities to make them aware of the problems they face. They are also seeking to mobilize these persons to stand up for the protection their resources. Georgetown Mayor, Hamilton Green, who took part in yesterday’s demonstration, said he is in solidarity with ECHO, given the revelations by this newspaper about widespread, large-scale logging activities in the interior. Green said that the current activities involving the Chinese logging company and the Government, are destroying future generations and citizens need to speak out. “These activities show a total disregard for citizens of all races, colour and creed. While it is unclear who is actually benefiting from these activities, it is an assault on the livelihood of the indigenous people, a disdain for African slaves who bought lands from slave masters and disrespect to the children of indentured labourers to allow “aliens” to rape the natural resources as they are doing.” ECHO has requested that the Government, for the sake of clarity, publish all relevant documentation regarding the extent of Bai Shan Lin’s authorization in Guyana.

Mitwah

Bai Shan Lin logging scandal deepens…Company halts massive E’bo operations

August 15, 2014 | By | Filed Under News

… but busy cutting new roads to Waini River

Chinese company, Bai Shan Lin’s operations in Kwakwani, Upper Berbice River, may have evoked widespread public

Chairman of Chinese-owned, Bai Shan Lin, Chu Wenze

Chairman of Chinese-owned, Bai Shan Lin, Chu Wenze

anger and disbelief over the magnitude, but there are indications now that those operations pale in comparison to what is happening in the Kwebanna, Waini area in Region One, Essequibo. Kaieteur News, as part of its investigations into the scope of the company’s operations, flew into Region One (Barima/Waini) this week and found that the company has halted its logging operations there in the face of increasing scrutiny of its Upper Berbice operations. The extent of the Essequibo activities reveals that the scope of logging operations by the company is way larger than Guyanese were initially led to believe. For several days now, several trucks, laden with massive logs have been sitting on the roadside in the dense jungle in the Kwebanna area. The logs, seen by Kaieteur News, have already been certified with stamps and seals of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). In Essequibo, the company has been logging various species of wood and selling what it is not exporting to Barama Company Limited, an establishment which has an operation based along the Essequibo River. Bai Shan Lin has also cut miles upon miles of road leading to the Waini River, and is looking to go even further. There was a huge fleet of heavy-duty vehicles – some 35 bulldozers, 10 excavators, loaders and about 40 dump trucks – present on several sections of the road being built. Equipment was also present at various locations near loam pits, working to extract material for the road. At several locations along the winding road, massive logs were seemingly left abandoned. This mimicked the state of play in Region Ten near the communities of Kwakwani, Ituni and Linden, in Region 10, where lCENTRE 5ogs were strategically left waiting for pickup. It is unclear why the company has stalled operations in Region One. At one location, several trucks were parked next to each other, but no one was in sight. Among the prized species of logs left unattended were some measuring as much as four feet in diameter and more than 70 feet in length. Included among them in great number was the high-valued Purpleheart. It is clear that Bai Shan Lin is serious about its investments as evidenced by the scores of vehicles and other heavy equipment in the area. Following investigations and reports by Kaieteur News over the past week on Bai Shan Lin’s operations, the GFC, headed by Commissioner James Singh, and its governing authority, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, led by Minister Robert Persaud, have launched an aggressive public relations campaign to defend the company. Already, questions are being raised as to why state agencies would push badly needed resources,PAGE 19 to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars already, into defending what essentially is a private company, more so a foreign one. Opposition Parliamentary parties have already accused senior government officials of colluding with the company to hide the true nature of its operations, and taking kickbacks which have caused them to shut up in the face of what could be glaring violations of Guyanese law. Bai Shan Lin has been boasting of having access to close to a million hectares of rainforest in Guyana as part of its mega investment plans. But Minister Persaud had said that the information was false and called on Bai Shan Lin to retract its claims. The company never did and Persaud never demanded that it did. On July 14, Persaud told the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources that the company only has access to 640,000 hectares of forest, with the majority being for various studies. Regarding forests to which the company has access, Commissioner of Forests, James Singh, said that Bai Shan Lin has two state forest permits. He said such permits are issued for a period of three years, and during that time the company has to do an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, along with a forest inventory. In addition, Singh said the company has to develop a business plan. Singh said that it is only if these documents receive a favourable review by the Forestry Commission’s Board, that the company can be issued with a Timber Sales Agreement (TSA) that would allow it to extract trees. The two PAGE 22state forest permits encompass three proposed forestry concession sites. Apart from this, the company was said to be involved in joint ventures with four local companies through which it has access to some 280,000 hectares of forest from which it can harvest timber for export. Those joint ventures are with Sherwood Forests, Haimorakabra Logging, Puruni Woods, and Kwebanna Wood Products. The logging activities of Bai Shan Lin would take on extreme significance because of the fact that company has not yet moved into its promised value-added processing phase. Guyana has actively been pursuing a reduction of log exports in favour of value-added operations, which would give the country more revenue and also provide more job opportunities for Guyanese. However, figures provided have shown a major increase in log exports, especially for the first half of this year. And the increase is being blamed on the aggressive logging activities of Bai Shan Lin and other foreign operators.

FM

Tracking website shows significant exotic wood exports by Bai Shan Lin

August 15, 2014 | By | Filed Under News

 

- without proper declaration

More information continues to surface about the operations of Chinese company, Bai Shan Lin, in Guyana. Several questions which have now arisen include whether Bai Shan Lin, among other companies, is exporting rare wood such as Locust and Wamara, without declaration to the Customs Administration. Several sources within the Ministry of Natural Resources have said that the Wamara business is among the most lucrative business ventures that Bai Shan Lin is currently involved in.  This newspaper was also told that the company has essentially infiltrated the market, since Guyana is providing the precious raw material at giveaway prices. This newspaper was also told that low level ministry workers along with forestry officials who are tasked with monitoring the export of timber aren’t able to complete their task. Some have expressed that since Bai Shan Lin along with several others entered into joint ventures, it has been “almost impossible” to have a tab on how much timber is being exported from Guyana. An online search using Worldwide Export Tracker, Panjiva, provides some perspective.  Panjiva, a New York-based company, is the first and only online information source designed to provide a level of transparency into overseas suppliers. Leveraging this type of trade data from suppliers, Panjiva is able to produce details of trends within sectors. Information published by Panjiva has been used by news websites such as FT.com and CNNMoney.com, where it has been described as “innovative and revolutionary”. Panjiva was started by Josh Green (CEO) and Jim Psota (CTO) in 2006. The website shows that Bai Shan Lin started exporting logs from Guyana since 2008. According to Panjiva, Bai Shan Lin Investments on December 26, 2008 exported 74,095 pieces of “SawnTimber (Mixed Floor Boards).   In 2009 Bai Shan Lin on July 9th exported Locust Sawn Timber. The company exported a total of 558 pieces from Guyana. The next month, Bai Shan Lin exported six containers with approximately 30,439 pieces of Greenheart Sawn Timber. In October 2009, the company exported Wamara Sawn Timber. A total of 5303 pieces were sent out in two containers. In September of 2010, Bai Shan Lin again sent out six more containers of mixed timber. It was explained that the company had exported a variety of exquisite timber. The pieces amount to 50,829. Further records would show that in December 2012 Bai Shan Lin exported 6771 pieces of Locust Sawn Timber. A few months later, the company in July, exported 24,136 pieces of mixed timber in seven containers. The online tracker updates daily and is expected to provide more information on such exports. Over the weekend, the (EPA) denied ever giving the Chinese company, Bai Shan Lin International Forest Development Inc. any permission to do logging. However, a senior official at the EPA said that as it stands right now, Bai Shan Lin is having meetings with them regarding “scoping”. It was explained that “scoping” is another aspect of the Environmental Assessment which Bai Shan Lin needs to complete. The official further told Kaieteur News that the EPA, once everything is done in accordance with the formal requirements, would grant Bai Shan Lin an “Environmental Authorization Permit” which gives the right to log and harvest timber. But the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) has denied that Bai Shan Lin was logging without a licence. Bai Shan Lin International Forest Development Inc. has teamed up with four others in joint ventures to export billions of dollars in timber monthly.

FM

Bai Shan Lin International Forest Development Inc. has teamed up with four others in joint ventures to export billions of dollars in timber monthly.

 

Can anyone says how much containers of Lumbers has been exported for the year and what amount of dollars has been collected from those exports?

 
FM

Manufacturers want full disclosure on Bai Shan Lin

August 15, 2014 | By | Filed Under News

The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) is expected to soon request that Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud disclose all information regarding the local operations of Bai Shan Lin.

Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud

Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud

This follows an emergency meeting the Association called Monday in the face of a growing controversy regarding the Chinese company’s operations. A letter which outlined the association’s concerns was dispatched to members for their comments before it is sent to Persaud. The letter is signed by GMSA President Clinton Williams. Kaieteur News was told that during the emergency meeting members mandated Williams to acquire documentation about several aspects of the operations of Bai Shan Lin. This newspaper understands that members are trying to get their hands on copies of licences and permits to engage in forestry operations in Guyana, investment agreements, Tax Holiday approvals, Duty-free concessions, and agreements which allow the company to export log. The manufacturers also want to see documents that the company and the authorities have agreed to for the employment of Guyanese personnel. According to reports, members have said that they are aware that Bai Shan Lin has entered into private agreements with existing local and foreign forest products concessionaires.  The letter stated that while the ministry may not be privy to the agreements, they would go a long way, together with the documents they requested, towards helping the Association determine the way forward for the country’s forest/wood products manufacturers. In this regard, members said that they would appreciate receiving the relevant particulars of all agreements entered into by the Company or any of its related companies with the holders of licences or permits from the Minister. It was noted that access to these documents will allow the GMSA to determine that the agreements are iron-clad and are not in violation of any of the nation’s laws and regulations, including environmental protection Secondly, it would show that they do not contain loop holes through which the investor could dodge their business and social responsibilities to the people of Guyana. Moreover the release of documents would show that the agreements do not provide the wherewithal for the investor to act in a manner that goes against the tenets of Guyana’s responsibilities to the international REDD+ programme or our Low Carbon Development Strategy, the letter states. The GMSA, in crafting the letter to Persaud, said it wants to ensure that the country’s reputation as a destination of Foreign Direct Investment is not harmed by any unjustified criticisms of any specific investment or group of investments. The GMSA will be meeting again on Monday to further consider the matter and the Association hopes it can have the requested documents by then.

FM
Originally Posted by asj:

Bai Shan Lin International Forest Development Inc. has teamed up with four others in joint ventures to export billions of dollars in timber monthly.

 

Can anyone says how much containers of Lumbers has been exported for the year and what amount of dollars has been collected from those exports?

 

FM

Exotic, pricey wood species being shipped out of Guyana

August 17, 2014 | By | Filed Under News 

As the controversy surrounding Bai Shan Lin’s operations in Guyana continues, the main question is why the company is exporting large quantities of exotic woods such as “Locust and Wamara”.


Conservationists have been arguing that countries where these “exotic” woods are found should not export large quantities since they are considered an “invasive species”.


Invasive species, also called invasive exotics or simply exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats, with several definitions.


Sometimes called Guyana Rosewood for its lustrous, dense, and colour, Wamara technically isn’t true rosewood (Dalbergia genus), but is in what could arguably be viewed as one of the most under-appreciated genera of tropical hardwoods: Swartzia.


This genus is filled with a variety of colorful and striped woods, most of which remain obscure. It is considered an “exotic wood” in many parts of the world.


The Locust tree is native to the southeastern United States, but has been widely planted and naturalized elsewhere in temperate North America, Europe, Southern Africa and Asia and is considered an invasive species in some areas.


Pricing for the species…


Bai Shan Lin on July 2009, last, exported 558 pieces of Locust Sawn Timber from Guyana.


In October 2009, the company also exported Wamara Sawn Timber. A total of 5303 pieces were sent out in two PAGE 15containers. World Market demand for these two species of wood could fetch a heavy price.  The “Wamara” which is being sold by the cubic meter can fetch a price of between US$200 and US$600.

 


Kaieteur News was told that the “Wamara” logs can be sold from between US$260 and US$290. Depending on the demand, the prices can triple, making it one of the best selling timber products being exported.
It is believed that Bai Shan Lin and other logging companies have not been declaring “Wamara and Locust” when exporting. Rather they have been passing this off as mixed hard woods.


Several sources within the Ministry of Natural Resources have said that the Wamara business is among the most lucrative business ventures that Bai Shan Lin is currently involved in.


This newspaper was also told that low level ministry workers along with forestry officials who are tasked with monitoring the export of timber are not able to complete their task. It is being reported that since Bai Shan Lin along with several others entered into joint ventures, it has been “almost impossible” to keep a tab on how much timber is being exported from Guyana.


Bai Shan Lin, a Chinese logging company, has big plans for Guyana: forest concessions covering 960,000 hectares; a 20-kilometre river gold mining concession; a 500-hectare Guyana-China Timber Industry Economic and Trading Cooperation Park and a 160-hectare real estate development.
Despite the scale of the planned operations, Bai Shan Lin’s agreements with the government of PAGE 16 AND 57

 

Guyana are not public and there has been no discussion in the National Assembly about the company’s plans.


In Guyana, it is illegal for a logging company to take over another logging company’s operation, unless officially authorised by the President. Yet Bai Shan Lin has managed to enter into large scale joint ventures with a number of locals.

FM
Nigeria boots Chinese loggers

LAGOS - A southern Nigerian state has ordered a Chinese timber firm to close down its operations for violating conservation laws, a government statement said yesterday.

The Cross Rivers State government last week directed Western Metals Products Company Limited (WEMPCO) "to close down all its forestry-related activities in the state", after 12 years ofoperation.

"WEMPCO, which started prospecting for wood in the state since 1992, has continued to operate in a most unsuitable manner and in contravention of extant forest laws and regulations," the statement alleged.

"Accordingly, WEMPCO has been given a period of 21 days within which to evacuate its plant, equipment and machinery from all forest reserves and or community in Cross River State," it added.

- Nampa-AFP

"WEMPCO, which started prospecting for wood in the state since 1992, has continued to operate in a most unsuitable manner and in contravention of extant forest laws and regulations," the statement alleged."Accordingly, WEMPCO has been given a period of 21 days within which to evacuate its plant, equipment and machinery from all forest reserves and or community in Cross River State," it
added.- Nampa-AFP

We need to do the same here in Guyana
FM
Last edited by Former Member

Source

What's happened to Guyana's rainforest deal with Norway?

Girish Gupta

25th November, 2011

 

Back in 2009 it was heralded as a potential model for REDD+ and reducing rates of deforestation but Norway's deal with Guyana appears to have made little progress

Guyanese president Bharrat Jagdeo was once the posterboy for an international community eager to play up its dedication to climate change. The West was finally engaging with developing nations like his – tucked into a corner of the Amazon jungle between Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname – by handing over millions of dollars in exchange for the maintenance of vast tracts of primary rainforest. Jagdeo was even nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

As his presidency comes to end, however, so does his image as the forward-thinking saviour of rainforest-rich developing countries. His government offers nothing but a veneer of hope, according to analysts of Guyana’s groundbreaking deal with Norway signed exactly two years ago.

The deal stipulated that Norway would pay Guyana – based on results – up to $250m over five years to cut down deforestation and thus avoid carbon dioxide emissions.

In return, Norway would build up its carbon credit stockpiles and hopefully hit its self-imposed 2030 carbon neutral target while at the same time pumping its enormous gas and oil reserves, as well as continuing the use of cars, factories and power plants which release the carbon dioxide locked up in the oil and gas.

Guyana would use the funds for projects aimed at curbing deforestation and carbon dioxide emission, including solar panels for indigenous communities, sea defences and flood-resistant crops.

The $70m so far pledged by Norway has yet to materialise in the Latin American nation. The World Bank, awaiting the okay from Norwegian authorities, is holding onto it. Jagdeo puts the delay down to the lack of a simple mechanism for moving the money in a new and untested scheme – a bureaucratic glitch rather than any reflection on Guyana’s progress.

'That is absolute nonsense,' said John Palmer, a Senior Associate at the Forest Management Trust in Florida. 'The main reason is that [they] are utterly incapable of writing the simplest project proposal is because they've never had to do it. Jagdeo anticipated that the Norwegians would simply give him a bag of money.'

The money is being channelled through a REDD+ fund (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) and Guyana is seen as a test case for the initiative. 'REDD as a model will continue to evolve in spite of the carbon cowboys in Guyana,' said Palmer. 'I think it has a great future.'

Palmer cites Norwegian money that has gone into a similar programme in Indonesia as more positive. Unlike Guyana, Indonesia has one of the fastest deforestation rates in the world making it the world’s third largest carbon dioxide emitter after the United States and China. This makes it a perfect candidate for a REDD scheme and Norway has committed $1 billion to it over the next few years.

Deforestation rates on the rise

Speaking to The Ecologist in a restaurant in Guyana’s capital Georgetown, Jagdeo admitted there were problems: 'There’s a difficulty in being the first. We are trying to create a model built on replicability … so we can’t cut corners… This is still the most cost-effective abatement solution for climate change.'

Vemund Olsen is a Policy Adviser with Rainforest Foundation Norway, who became interested in Guyana when the Norwegian government began to negotiate their agreement with the Anglophone South American nation. 'We have a number of concerns about how the initiative is playing out – whether Guyana is taking the necessary steps to prevent the increase in deforestation,' he said.

The Norwegian government does not have a permanent base in Guyana and so is forced to rely on third parties. 'We're not convinced by the actual happenings on the ground and it seems that Norway is very dependent on the use of international consultants to verify what is actually happening because they don't have any eyes and ears on the ground that they can trust,' Olsen said.

To claim the funds, Guyana must demonstrate that it has cut deforestation from a baseline 0.45 per cent rate. However, a report carried out by New Zealand-based Pöyry earlier this year concluded that actual deforestation between 1990 and 2009 was in fact at 0.02 per cent. The same report claimed that deforestation over the first year of the Norway agreement had trebled to 0.06 per cent. Using such a high baseline allows Guyana to actually increase deforestation while still receiving the funds.

'In some ways the Norwegians have been a bit naïve,' said David Young of Global Witness. 'The system that Norway has come up with is predicated on a best-guess of what the deforestation rate might be,' he added. 'They could have been more on the ball and more prepared.'

Goldrush in Guyana


Guyana is around the size of the UK yet holds under a million people, many of whom live on its Caribbean coast. There are no white sandy beaches though as the Essequibo and Demerara Rivers pour silt from the country’s deep Amazon interior into coastal waters. Over 80 per cent of Guyana is covered by rainforest. No paved roads link its major towns to the capital, making it difficult to effectively govern.

Jagdeo claims this is to the government’s advantage. 'The terrain makes it easier to control movements,' he said, adding that authorities have set up choke points across the few unpaved roads and rivers that loggers bring their wares down.

Adding to the environmental problems, Guyana is currently undergoing a goldrush, as the global economic crisis pushes investors towards the precious metal resulting in record high prices. This is damaging the rainforest as people from all over the region bring in dredgers to seek their fortune.

Mining of gold and bauxite, as well as production of sugar and timber, drive the country’s economy. The government has recently invited oil companies to explore both on- and off-shore fields, in a demonstration of a seeming dichotomy for developing countries in balancing their environment with economic expansion.

'We're seeing a strong increase in mining in the country,' added Olsen, 'I am yet to see any concrete action by the Guyanese government to make sure that does not lead to increased deforestation in the long term.'

Jagdeo sees no dichotomy. 'We want to keep 99.5 per cent of the forest and develop just 0.5 per cent. If done well, we could expand mining, selectively logging one or two trees per hectare.'  The president claims to have replanting plans in place.

Local travel agent Alisha Ousman is in despair with Jagdeo’s policies and the miners’ 'scarring' of the jungle. 'You either want to preserve the country and its riches or you destroy it now. You have to make a choice,' she said.

Guyana goes to the polls next week and Jagdeo’s party is expected to win, with his ally Donald Ramotar likely to take over the presidency. Despite the pitfalls, Jagdeo has at least been incredibly vocal on the environment over the last few years and some have voiced concerns that his successor may not be.

'Ramotar shares my views on this,' Jagdeo countered. 'He’s very passionate about it. The upcoming government will continue the project and I have great confidence that all parties have subscribed to this vision, deep down.'

The question remains whether Guyana’s current administration, and indeed the Norwegians, have subscribed to the vision, deep down.

FM
Originally Posted by Stormborn:

Source

What's happened to Guyana's rainforest deal with Norway?

Girish Gupta

25th November, 2011

 

Back in 2009 it was heralded as a potential model for REDD+ and reducing rates of deforestation but Norway's deal with Guyana appears to have made little progress

Guyanese president Bharrat Jagdeo was once the posterboy for an international community eager to play up its dedication to climate change. The West was finally engaging with developing nations like his – tucked into a corner of the Amazon jungle between Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname – by handing over millions of dollars in exchange for the maintenance of vast tracts of primary rainforest. Jagdeo was even nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

As his presidency comes to end, however, so does his image as the forward-thinking saviour of rainforest-rich developing countries. His government offers nothing but a veneer of hope, according to analysts of Guyana’s groundbreaking deal with Norway signed exactly two years ago.

The deal stipulated that Norway would pay Guyana – based on results – up to $250m over five years to cut down deforestation and thus avoid carbon dioxide emissions.

In return, Norway would build up its carbon credit stockpiles and hopefully hit its self-imposed 2030 carbon neutral target while at the same time pumping its enormous gas and oil reserves, as well as continuing the use of cars, factories and power plants which release the carbon dioxide locked up in the oil and gas.

Guyana would use the funds for projects aimed at curbing deforestation and carbon dioxide emission, including solar panels for indigenous communities, sea defences and flood-resistant crops.

The $70m so far pledged by Norway has yet to materialise in the Latin American nation. The World Bank, awaiting the okay from Norwegian authorities, is holding onto it. Jagdeo puts the delay down to the lack of a simple mechanism for moving the money in a new and untested scheme – a bureaucratic glitch rather than any reflection on Guyana’s progress.

'That is absolute nonsense,' said John Palmer, a Senior Associate at the Forest Management Trust in Florida. 'The main reason is that [they] are utterly incapable of writing the simplest project proposal is because they've never had to do it. Jagdeo anticipated that the Norwegians would simply give him a bag of money.'

The money is being channelled through a REDD+ fund (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) and Guyana is seen as a test case for the initiative. 'REDD as a model will continue to evolve in spite of the carbon cowboys in Guyana,' said Palmer. 'I think it has a great future.'

Palmer cites Norwegian money that has gone into a similar programme in Indonesia as more positive. Unlike Guyana, Indonesia has one of the fastest deforestation rates in the world making it the world’s third largest carbon dioxide emitter after the United States and China. This makes it a perfect candidate for a REDD scheme and Norway has committed $1 billion to it over the next few years.

Deforestation rates on the rise

Speaking to The Ecologist in a restaurant in Guyana’s capital Georgetown, Jagdeo admitted there were problems: 'There’s a difficulty in being the first. We are trying to create a model built on replicability … so we can’t cut corners… This is still the most cost-effective abatement solution for climate change.'

Vemund Olsen is a Policy Adviser with Rainforest Foundation Norway, who became interested in Guyana when the Norwegian government began to negotiate their agreement with the Anglophone South American nation. 'We have a number of concerns about how the initiative is playing out – whether Guyana is taking the necessary steps to prevent the increase in deforestation,' he said.

The Norwegian government does not have a permanent base in Guyana and so is forced to rely on third parties. 'We're not convinced by the actual happenings on the ground and it seems that Norway is very dependent on the use of international consultants to verify what is actually happening because they don't have any eyes and ears on the ground that they can trust,' Olsen said.

To claim the funds, Guyana must demonstrate that it has cut deforestation from a baseline 0.45 per cent rate. However, a report carried out by New Zealand-based Pöyry earlier this year concluded that actual deforestation between 1990 and 2009 was in fact at 0.02 per cent. The same report claimed that deforestation over the first year of the Norway agreement had trebled to 0.06 per cent. Using such a high baseline allows Guyana to actually increase deforestation while still receiving the funds.

'In some ways the Norwegians have been a bit naïve,' said David Young of Global Witness. 'The system that Norway has come up with is predicated on a best-guess of what the deforestation rate might be,' he added. 'They could have been more on the ball and more prepared.'

Goldrush in Guyana


Guyana is around the size of the UK yet holds under a million people, many of whom live on its Caribbean coast. There are no white sandy beaches though as the Essequibo and Demerara Rivers pour silt from the country’s deep Amazon interior into coastal waters. Over 80 per cent of Guyana is covered by rainforest. No paved roads link its major towns to the capital, making it difficult to effectively govern.

Jagdeo claims this is to the government’s advantage. 'The terrain makes it easier to control movements,' he said, adding that authorities have set up choke points across the few unpaved roads and rivers that loggers bring their wares down.

Adding to the environmental problems, Guyana is currently undergoing a goldrush, as the global economic crisis pushes investors towards the precious metal resulting in record high prices. This is damaging the rainforest as people from all over the region bring in dredgers to seek their fortune.

Mining of gold and bauxite, as well as production of sugar and timber, drive the country’s economy. The government has recently invited oil companies to explore both on- and off-shore fields, in a demonstration of a seeming dichotomy for developing countries in balancing their environment with economic expansion.

'We're seeing a strong increase in mining in the country,' added Olsen, 'I am yet to see any concrete action by the Guyanese government to make sure that does not lead to increased deforestation in the long term.'

Jagdeo sees no dichotomy. 'We want to keep 99.5 per cent of the forest and develop just 0.5 per cent. If done well, we could expand mining, selectively logging one or two trees per hectare.'  The president claims to have replanting plans in place.

Local travel agent Alisha Ousman is in despair with Jagdeo’s policies and the miners’ 'scarring' of the jungle. 'You either want to preserve the country and its riches or you destroy it now. You have to make a choice,' she said.

Guyana goes to the polls next week and Jagdeo’s party is expected to win, with his ally Donald Ramotar likely to take over the presidency. Despite the pitfalls, Jagdeo has at least been incredibly vocal on the environment over the last few years and some have voiced concerns that his successor may not be.

'Ramotar shares my views on this,' Jagdeo countered. 'He’s very passionate about it. The upcoming government will continue the project and I have great confidence that all parties have subscribed to this vision, deep down.'

The question remains whether Guyana’s current administration, and indeed the Norwegians, have subscribed to the vision, deep down.

it dead, it was all a hoax to steal from the Norweigians.  When Bharet realise the people will not transfer cash to the Government, he kill it.

 

Now it is bin shin lin, all the way.  From protector of the forest to raping of the forest.

 

This banns Bharat plays all sides.  AC/DC, front and back, Kawambe and varshanie.

FM

http://eia-international.org/m...legal-timber-exports

 

Mozambique loses a fortune to illegal timber exports

February 7, 2013

Corruption in world’s fourth poorest country aids illegal logging & timber smuggling to China

LONDON: Weak forest governance and corruption in Mozambique are facilitating illegal logging and timber smuggling to supply China’s voracious demand, costing the fourth least developed country in the world tens of millions in lost taxes annually.

The new report First Class Connections: Log Smuggling, Illegal Logging and Corruption in Mozambique by the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) exposes massive discrepancies in import/export data between Mozambique and China, indicating that half the timber flowing into China is illegal.

Compiling evidence from research and undercover operations in both countries, the report features detailed investigative case studies into some of the biggest companies engineering these crimes in Mozambique today, exposing both the smuggling techniques used and the political patronage and corruption that facilitate them.

EIA forests campaigner Chris Moye said: “Despite recent commendable efforts by the Mozambican Government to control the illegal trade in timber to China, our investigation uncovers how high-level politicians, in league with unscrupulous Chinese traders, continue to not only breach Mozambique’s export and forest laws but are now putting pressure on the sustainable yield of Mozambique’s forests”.

Mozambique’s timber trade reveals major trade data discrepancies revealing that in 2012 Chinese companies imported between 189,615 and 215,654 cubic metres of timber that had been illegally exported from Mozambique – comprising a staggering 48 per cent of China’s imports from the country.

China’s 2012 imports from Mozambique dwarf not only licensed exports, but also exceed the licensed harvest by 154,030 cubic metres, generating an alarming 48 per cent illegal logging rate.

Furthermore, the United Nations ranks Mozambique as the fourth least developed country in the world. Against the background of Mozambique’s poverty, EIA estimates that about US$ US$29,172,350 in avoided tax may have been lost to State revenues in 2012 from unlicensed exports to China worth US$130,834,350.

In comparison, the estimated financing need for Mozambique’s National Forest Program’s law enforcement system for 2006-10 was US$1,051,470, while total zoning and detailed inventory costs for the same period were estimated at US$10,716,911. These costs could be covered almost three times over by the lost revenues.

Among the report’s recommendations, EIA urges the Government of Mozambique to: • Institute an immediate log-export ban of all timber species; • Initiate a joint investigation with China into the illegal timber trade; • Institute a wide-ranging investigation into forest sector corruption, including the involvement of police, customs and forest officials; • Investigate illegal exports of unprocessed timber by companies named in the report.

EIA further calls on the Government of China to: • Prohibit the import of illegal timber into China; • Liaise with Mozambique on its timber export laws, and coordinate with them on imports into China; • Ensure State-owned companies are not exporting illegal timber from Mozambique, nor importing it into China.

Mitwah

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