Over 463 tons of illegal timbers seized across Myanmar in single week

YANGON, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities seized over 463.2 tons of illegal timbers across Myanmar in a week this month, according to the Information Ministry on Thursday.

From Dec. 9 to 15, the authorities confiscated over 75.8 tons of illegal teak, over 189.5 tons of hardwood and 197.8 tons of other types of timbers, respectively.

During the period, 59 offenders were charged in connection with the cases, along with the seizure of 44 vehicles and machinery.

At present, the Forest Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation has been making efforts to crack down on illegal logging and trading of forest products as well as to implement tree-planting projects in substitution.