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The event made it clear that it’s not just about conserving forests but also ensuring that economic activities related to forest resources are carried out sustainably. The focus is on utilizing resources rationally, guaranteeing long-term benefits for the environment, society, and economy.   In an effort to promote sustainable forest management and more responsible trade in Panama, around 50 communicators participated in a workshop organized by the Forestry Directorate (DIFOR) of the Ministry of Environment (MiAMBIENTE).   This event, funded by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), highlighted the importance of ensuring that forest products come from legal sources and responsibly managed forests.   The event made it clear that it’s not just about conserving forests but also about ensuring that economic activities related to forest resources are carried out sustainably. The focus is on utilizing resources rationally, guaranteeing long-term benefits for the environment, society, and economy.   During the workshop, experts from the Ministry of Environment emphasized that proper forest management not only supports the country’s economic development but also environmental sustainability. Additionally, the importance of traceability and legality in forest activities was discussed, ensuring that the trade of these products has a positive and lasting impact.   Among the specialists who shared their knowledge were Fernando Cerrera Gambetta from CATIE, John Jairo Manrique from WWF, Álvaro Castillo from DIFOR, and Rodney Delgado from the Technological University of Panama.   The main topics included sustainable forest management and its impact on ecosystem conservation, traceability in forest product trade, and the properties of the most important wood species in the country.   The event was not only theoretical but also included 10 business tables where 40 representatives from the forestry sector established strategic alliances between wood buyers and sellers, promoting legal and sustainable trade and creating new opportunities in the Panamanian market.   Additionally, the Ministry of Environment took the opportunity to launch the second phase of the Legal Timber Network, an initiative aimed at consolidating a network among producers, marketers, and consumers to ensure that forest product trade in the country is fair and responsible.   According to data shared by DIFOR, using statistics from the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC), the forestry sector has contributed 0.20% to Panama’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) between 2010 and 2023, representing an average of 114.9 million balboas during that period. About us Ecotopia Teak, S.A., we are a family-owned company dedicated to reforestation, harvesting, and exporting wood from commercial plantations. We work under high production standards and with social responsibility to obtain high-quality wood according to the needs and demands of national and international markets. Additionally, we actively contribute to the local economy by creating employment opportunities in the communities where we operate. Our commitment is to lead the industry in sustainable reforestation and wood production, preserving our natural resources and building a greener and more sustainable future. Facebook-f Youtube Instagram More articles

Tracking the transformation chain of timber logs from their departure from the forest until they reach an industry, workshop, or supply yard. Miriam Lasso  /  miriam.lasso@epasa.com  /  @mlasso12 More than 110,000 hectares out of the over 200,000 in the Darién and Panama East regions are designated for forest utilization, indicating that 20% are under forest management, with 350 to 850 hectares utilized annually.   Well-managed forest utilization does not lead to deforestation, explained Álvaro Castillo from the Forestry Directorate of the Ministry of Environment. It’s an established economic activity regulated by forestry legislation, benefiting both communities and the environment, the expert noted.   The tracking of timber logs from their forest origin to industries, workshops, or supply yards has reduced illegal trafficking and use of timber through oversight and transparency measures.   This traceability process is supported by technological components including a web application for user registration and management of field data, transportation, and supply chain information. An Android application is used for census taking, tree identification, and oversight, along with NFC and QR codes to identify trees and logs.   The traceability system has enabled more transparent and less burdensome operations, empowering forest managers to uphold legal compliance effectively, Castillo emphasized. The forest ranger, a certified forestry engineer by the National Technical Council of Agriculture, is responsible for 60% of forest inventory compliance and ensuring compliance throughout the forest utilization process, the expert indicated. Additionally, they are accountable to authorities and the community to ensure that forest utilization activities adhere to established legal norms.   110,000 hectares of forests in Panama East and Darien are allocated for forest utilization.   350 to 850 hectares are utilized annually according to the management plan.   Forest monitoring is focused in the Eastern region of the country, including the Emberá Wounaan, Wargandí, Guna de Madungandí, and Chepo regions, with potential expansions as authorities consider.   The system was initially developed with financial support from the International Tropical Timber Organization and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), while communities invest in purchasing devices costing between $0.50 to $0.75, some of which are manufactured locally in Panama. Maintenance is covered by operating funds from the Ministry of Environment.   Castillo reiterated that the entire process is underpinned by Resolution No. DM-0068-2018, establishing the Environmental Traceability System and amending Resolution JD-0598 that regulates Law 1 (Forest Law) of 1994.   The positive impact of this system, comprising two modes—forests and submerged wood, and managed plantations and natural regeneration—has successfully reduced environmental crimes. However, it’s acknowledged that illegal activity persists on a very small scale. Illegal activity occurs at all levels of the industry; however, with the traceability system and agreements with security agencies, it has significantly decreased, providing reassurance to companies and communities.   Among the most common cases of illegal exploitation, incidents occur with balsam species in Darién and the Emberá Wounnan region, many of which are detected on highways.   Similarly, in Soberanía National Park and Camino de Cruces, there are cases of illegal exploitation of cocobolo, while in other provinces, illegal activities involve species such as cedar, oak, and corotú.   Typically, these crimes are committed by small groups of two to three individuals who do not transport more than one cubic meter, corresponding to about 12 to 15 pieces of wood from a tree, explained Castillo.   As of last May, the Public Ministry registered a total of 15 reports of logging or destruction of arboreal or shrub vegetation formations in special areas. https://youtu.be/abxSSN9Xy8A This event has marked a milestone towards a more sustainable and responsible timber industry in Panama / TVN Digital. About us Ecotopia Teak, S.A., we are a family-owned company dedicated to reforestation, harvesting, and exporting wood from commercial plantations. We work under high production standards and with social responsibility to obtain high-quality wood according to the needs and demands of national and international markets. Additionally, we actively contribute to the local economy by creating employment opportunities in the communities where we operate. Our commitment is to lead the industry in sustainable reforestation and wood production, preserving our natural resources and building a greener and more sustainable future. Facebook-f Youtube Instagram More articles

Leoncio V. Berrío M./ lberrio@anpanama.com (Ciudad de Panamá-ANPanamá) More and more consumers are demanding to know where their goods come from, so being able to maintain traceability and demonstrate that forest resources have a legal origin allows them access to the world’s best markets for export, said Bianca Frieda Morán, President of the Panamanian Exporters Association (APEX).   She added that Panama promotes legal trade in wood, while also respecting forest preservation. To oversee the export process, the Ministry of Environment (Miambiente) plays a role in inspecting wood transformation areas and verifying that the wood has reached the market through all legal channels, including forest registration, operational certification, export guides, sales invoices, among other processes.   According to the APEX president, thanks to the Legal Wood Network, the management and traceability of forest resources demonstrate their legal origin, promoting fair practices and trade where wood producers obtain a fair price. «There must be differentiation and recognition of the cost of generating legal wood,» Frieda emphasized.   You can view the full article here. https://youtu.be/PkpYcAhwvNI About us Ecotopia Teak, S.A., we are a family-owned company dedicated to reforestation, harvesting, and exporting wood from commercial plantations. We work under high production standards and with social responsibility to obtain high-quality wood according to the needs and demands of national and international markets. Additionally, we actively contribute to the local economy by creating employment opportunities in the communities where we operate. Our commitment is to lead the industry in sustainable reforestation and wood production, preserving our natural resources and building a greener and more sustainable future. Facebook-f Youtube Instagram More articles

Authorities and private companies seek to promote sustainability and the responsible use of forest resources in Panama. Yaritza Mojica Reducing illegal logging and timber extraction is one of the goals aimed at consolidating a forest management base through the implementation of the Forest Traceability and Control System of Panama (STCF).   This system, established in Resolution DM-006-2018 of February 27, 2018, which creates the STCF of the Ministry of Environment (Miambiente), has made it possible to locate trees from their point of origin, know the origin of the log, as well as identify the timber and its legality.   Additionally, electronic devices (blue and yellow) have been implemented in the trees and logs for identification and registration purposes.   Álvaro Castillo, a forest engineer from the Forestry Directorate of Miambiente, explained that last year 10 cases were detected in which attempts were made to illegally commercialize timber.   The product is transported through small trucks to sell it quickly in small workshops.   Timber is recognized as lacking traceability if it is transported without the forest products being marked or identified with yellow tags, which verify its origin.   So far in 2024, the Forestry Directorate has not reported any cases of illegal timber transportation.   Castillo explained that in Darién, illegal logging of various timber species, including balsam, which is exported, as well as bitter cedar, espavé, and some yellow species, has been detected.   In the central provinces, illegal logging of oak and bitter cedar has been found. In Bocas del Toro, some cases of extraction of millenary species in small volumes have been identified.   According to Castillo, there are platforms that Miambiente establishes for the control of sustainable forest production in the country, including logging, transportation, distribution centers, transformation centers, and the export of species that have an international market.   The forest engineer stated that in forests where logging and extraction of timber occur, with a quantity of 100 trees, only 70% can be extracted, and the remaining 30% of the trees must be left as seed trees.   These seed trees must be «good» trees, meaning they must have a cylindrical trunk, a wide crown, and must not have holes, be damaged, or burned. These characteristics are essential to maintain high-quality seed genetics.   Monitoring and control of sustainable forest production in the utilization areas by Miambiente. Courtesy. In Panama, there are eight areas designated for timber utilization. These include the Emberá-Wounaan comarca in Cémaco, the Wargandí and Mortí areas, the Guna de Madungandí comarca in Río Sábalo, Chicola Chicola, and two areas for submerged timber utilization in Río Diablo and Aguas Claras within Lake Bayano.   To maintain controls, the Forestry Directorate conducts operations and verifications in all utilization areas, including industries, sawmill areas, and workshops where the STCF is implemented, ensuring that timber guides are signed by qualified personnel.   Additionally, they receive support from the National Border Service (Senafront), the Ecological Police, and the Environmental Prosecutor’s Office.   Bianca Morán, president of the Panamanian Exporters Association and manager of Ecotopia Teak, stated that 98% of Panama’s exports consist of teak, a type of timber sourced from commercial forest plantations.   In this regard, she advocates for the promotion of certified reforestation, which also helps generate jobs in rural areas.   According to Morán, traceability is what allows exports to demanding markets in terms of quality. She explained that certified companies undergo environmental, labor, health, and financial audits, and their forest operations are audited annually.   “With all this traceability in our product, the person who buys a chair or a piece of furniture made from our teak can be assured that not only has the chain of custody been complied with, but they also have a piece of furniture made from sustainable forest timber. This opens many opportunities for Panamanians.”   In Morán’s view, efforts should be made to reach the best markets because of the product’s quality. “Now we need to move towards scenarios with value-added products to increase our export offerings,” she stated.   These statements were made during a discussion on sustainability and the responsible use of forest resources in Panama, which also included participation from Denise Cisneros of Tetra Pak, who presented on sustainability and the use of renewable and recyclable raw materials, as well as representatives from Miambiente. About us Ecotopia Teak, S.A., we are a family-owned company dedicated to reforestation, harvesting, and exporting wood from commercial plantations. We work under high production standards and with social responsibility to obtain high-quality wood according to the needs and demands of national and international markets. Additionally, we actively contribute to the local economy by creating employment opportunities in the communities where we operate. Our commitment is to lead the industry in sustainable reforestation and wood production, preserving our natural resources and building a greener and more sustainable future. Facebook-f Youtube Instagram More articles