By Kei Emmanuel Duku
Yei River County Commissioner, Taban Emmanuel Seme, has issued an Executive Order suspending all logging-related activities within the county, effective March 14, 2025.
The order targets companies and individuals involved in logging, timber, and pole trading.
Commissioner Seme stated the Executive Order aligns with the Local Government’s natural resource exploitation management regulations, procedures, and policies.
He emphasized that future logging activities for commercial purposes and other uses will require consultation with local communities and county authorities.
“Any company or individual defying this order and continuing to cut trees or log natural resources will face the full force of the law,” he warned. The Executive Order also directs traditional chiefs and security organs within the county to enforce these directives.
This move comes despite earlier concerns raised by Jaden Tongun Emilio, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
Emilio, speaking earlier this year, argued that ministerial and executive orders are ineffective in controlling illegal logging, timber, and charcoal businesses due to the absence of punitive clauses for arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment.
The effectiveness of this latest directive from the commissioner of Yei River County in rescuing the county’s depleted natural forests remains to be seen.
Yei River County, known for its diverse natural forests due to its tropical climate, is facing severe deforestation.
Key areas under threat include Lantoto National Park, This protected area, containing various forest types, is heavily targeted by illegal loggers, Yei River Riparian Forests, Vital for water quality and wildlife habitat, these forests along the river and its tributaries are dwindling while Kagelu National Forest Reserve and General Equatorial Forest rich in valuable hardwoods like Teak are also experiencing significant logging pressure.
Drivers of this deforestation include illegal logging, charcoal production, and agricultural expansion.
Data from Global Forest Watch reveals that Yei River County lost approximately 32.6 thousand hectares (kha) of tree cover between 2001 and 2023, representing a 2.7% decrease since 2000. Notably, 100% of this loss occurred within natural forests.