Formulate law to save forests
Photo: Driknews
According to a fact sheet of the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), USA, each day 32,000 hectares of tropical forests are lost -- and illegal logging contributes to that -- causing an increase in heat-trapping emissions and the loss of biodiversity and habitat for endangered and threatened species. In order to stop illegal logging and trade in illicit wood, the United States had passed an act called the "Lacey Act" which was amended in 2008 creating the world's first law to stop the import of illegal wood and wood products. This law has very effectively controlled illegal wood business not only in the United States but globally. The UCS in a letter informed that a move is under way to bring some changes into the Lacey Act by the US Congress which will reduce the effectiveness of the law. It is sincerely expected that the US Congress would retain the Lacey Act in its effective form without bringing any relaxation to it. Other countries including Bangladesh can also formulate law in conjunction with the Lacey Act to control deforestation and contain illegal logging and trade of woods and forestry products.
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