Zambian government has announced a ban on all “In Transit” timber within the country. 17 species of timber have been specified within the official Statutory Instrument, with the most notable inclusions pertaining to Pterocarpus chrysothrix (mukula)—a threatened species most commonly sourced in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The decision addresses ongoing international concerns that the country is being exploited by smuggling networks to transport timber to lucrative markets overseas, with primary destinations including China and Vietnam.
Zambia
Name
Zambia
ISO
ZM
Region
Africa
Risk
Deforestation
Yes
Transhipment
Yes
Labour Rights & H&S
Yes
Environment
No
Biodiversity
Yes
Forest Area
Land Area
74,339,000
ha
Forest Area
48,468,398
ha (65.2%)
Forest Legislations 1
Zambia announces indefinite ban on “In Transit” timber
Traffic, 20 Apr 2017