Myanmar is perhaps one of the few countries in the world that still uses a traditional system of trained elephants for harvesting of forest logs. This provides minimum negative impact on the environment as they can penetrate areas without any major road construction otherwise required for small bulldozers. Research has shown that construction of forest roads for extraction purposes creates an alarming amount of emissions that may be detrimental to the environment in the long run. The elephants are also well looked after by the authorities by keeping them in great health and thoroughly examining them every period.
A major restructuring of the industry in 2014, logging is undertaken in a more transparent and sustainable set up matching international standards. The exports were also restricted to lumbers and related sizes. This led to significant control and streamlining of logs to be harvested every year.
In 2018, the Myanmar Forest Certification Committee (MFCC) along with the active participation of PEFC, a world-renowned organization that promotes sustainable forest management, have created an initiative of dialogue and discussion of various green logging practices. Several open trust building workshops are conducted in order to make the system more complaint with international standards. This shall eventually lead to international certification and in effect transform the timber industry in Myanmar.
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