Pirate logging out of control in Madagascar's rainforest

[Barrett808]

Armed gangs are logging rosewood and other valuable hardwoods from Marojejy and Masoala parks in Madagascar following abandonment of posts by rangers in the midst of the island nation's political crisis, reports marojejy.com and local sources.

"It is with great sadness that we report the temporary closure of Marojejy National Park to tourism," stated the marojejy.com web site. "The closure was deemed necessary by park management due to the lawlessness that has descended over the SAVA region during this time of political unrest in Madagascar, and the resultant looting and destruction which is currently occurring within the park. In particular, gangs of armed men (led primarily by foreign profiteers in conjunction with the rich local mafia) are plundering the rainforests of Marojejy for the extremely valuable rosewood that grows there."

(more)

http://desdemonadespair.blogspot.com/2009/03/pirate-logging-out-of-control-in.html

[navarth]

1. Jesus wept

Short-sighted, greedy criminals destroying the future of their own species. Yeah, that's terrific.

I confess I'm completely ignorant of the situation is Madagascar. Too much going on in the world to keep up with it all. Thanks for telling us about this, K & R.