Burma is one of the most densely forested countries in the world. Patterns of forest use cause resentment amongst ethnic communities, who feel they do not receive fair benefits from this resource. State management of Burma’s forests allows Thai and Chinese logging companies to extract huge quantities of timber. This is having negative impacts on local people, the long-term sustainability of the forests and the potential for peace.

Research from Global Witness assesses the impacts of forest use in Burma. With large areas of hard-wood forest, Burma has the resources to overcome many of its economic problems. Legal logging accounted for 9.3 percent of Burma’s foreign exchange earnings in 2002. However, the real trade in timber is at least double that recorded by the regime. The state-controlled Myanmar Timber Enterprise exceeds limits set by Burma’s Forestry Department suggesting that the government has either lost control over its forestry resources or is complicit in the illegal trade.

Although timber extraction on the Thai-Burmese border is less than it was in 1980, logging is still widespread along the China-Burma border - in Kachin State and northern Shan State. More timber crossed the border from Burma to China in 2001 than the total volume of timber exports to all other countries. The primary beneficiaries are Chinese logging companies and their business partners - not local communities. Legal and illegal logging also causes long-term environmental degradation, including soil erosion and a loss of biodiversity.

The research identifies that:

• Timber is a key source of revenue for ethnic ceasefire groups and the state authorities.
• Poor management, corruption and the ruling military junta have damaged other sectors of Burma’s economy, putting more pressure on the timber industry.
• Illegal logging often funds conflict activities and is a larger industry than legal logging.
• Current logging practices in Burma deplete the resources of local people, aggravating local tensions and reducing the longer-term potential of natural resources.

The development of more sustainable natural resource use will require a combined effort by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), ceasefire groups, non-government organisations, the international community and the governments of China and Thailand. Key recommendations include:

• A forest sector review and forest value assessment would determine how to protect and manage Burma’s forests to the benefit of the people of Burma. It is important to ensure meaningful public consultation in the process, and that the results are implemented in a transparent and accountable way
• A suspension should be placed on the cross border timber trade between China and Burma.
• Chinese logging company activity in Kachin State and northern Shan State should be stopped.
• Timber from Burma should not be imported into any country.
• International assistance is required to help rebuild society at a local level through education, environmental awareness, sustainable use of resources and supporting community-level environmental initiatives.
• Further evidence of the damage to Burma’s forests will be needed to support greater financial commitments towards forest conservation and rehabilitation.

Source(s):
‘A Conflict of Interests: the uncertain future of Burma’s forests’, briefing document by Global Witness, October 2003 Full document.

Funded by: Global Witness

id21 Research Highlight: 7 April 2005

Further Information:
Global Witness
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Tel: +44 (0) 207 561 6368
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Contact the contributor: burma@globalwitness.org

Global Witness

Other related links:
'Joint forest management in India: a sapling with feeble roots?'

'Securing the future of forests – lessons from Namibia'

'Africa’s changing landscape: new policies to resolve conflicts over land'

Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)

Forest Ethics

International Institute for Environment and Development - Forestry

Burma Project