Conservation Group Questions Rosewood Survey

For much of the latter part of last year, the issues surrounding Rosewood logging have featured prominently in the news.

Well, it has followed us into the new year with one conservation group voicing its concerns about the government's resolution to deal with the issue.

Three weeks ago, the government decided that inventory will be taken of the remaining Rosewood in Toledo through a survey and assessment.

The government will also assess how much illegal activity -if any- has taken place. This survey is to be carried out by the Ministry of Natural Resources with the participation of the conversation NGO's in the Toledo District.

One such NGO, however, had some concerns. Ya'axche Conservation Trust has raised some important issues about the assessments which will take place, namely, the methodology which they call "questionable" and the location which is not clearly defined. After what they call brief and unhelpful contact with forestry officials, the organization has been unable to make further contact.

As a result, they will not be participating in the inventory until their concerns have been addressed, and they point out that while the inventory can provide useful information, it will do nothing to alleviate the reckless logging activity.

Channel 7