European peacekeepers in Bosnia are trying to clamp down on illegal loggers who are costing the Bosnian economy around US$100m every year.
Wood and wood products are the single biggest export from Bosnia, 43% of which is covered in forest.
The collapse of the former Yugoslavia brought an end to any regulatory system and now the forestry industry is riddled with corruption from top to bottom.
Apart from the loss of revenue, there is environmental damage such as soil erosion and the risk of fire from sawdust dumped by illegal loggers.
Now peacekeepers are using helicopters with advance surveillance equipment to track illegal loggers, and random road checkpoints have been put in place.
And it is hoped the action may have a dual effect as the gangs involved in illegal logging are often also involved in the harbouring and protection of indicted war criminals.
