Myanmar: Sagaing Minister Accuses Land Owners of Logging

Feb 13, 2017 | Phay Nyein, Eleven
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Sagaing Region minister for agriculture, livestock and irrigation accused individuals and companies of acquiring vacant farmland for the sole purpose of logging. Minister Kamzar Mone said: “Companies and individuals bought land under the pretense of farming. However, their main purpose was to cut down valuable trees and trade timbers. The former [vacant land management] law allowed it. I’ve heard the law will be reformed and will no longer allow clearing up trees for farming. Moreover, I found most companies have done a perfunctory job of farming on their land. Their work is not encouraged. Some don’t grow anything. We will confiscate the unused land at the government’s instruction.”