The country’s government has said that it is currently “taking steps to put in place adequate measures to regulate the exploitation of timber”, adding that “until such measures are put in place… no persons or companies would be allowed to engage in these activities”.
“The attention of the government has been drawn to the illegal exploitation and export of timber,” an official statement read.
“As these activities are destructive to the environment and bring only minimal benefits to the state, government has decided to stop the exploitation and export… with immediate effect.”
Dimension stones and granite have also had export bans placed upon them, with the government citing the risk of landslides posed by “uncontrolled removal of granite from the hills surrounding populated areas” as the rationale.
