Environment Minister Milciades Concepción points to map during press conference on the permitting moratorium. (Photo courtesy of Panamanian Environment Ministry)
Attempting to deliver on promises to curb widespread deforestation, Panama on Sept. 9 imposed a year-long moratorium on new logging permits. Half of the country’s forestland has been “extremely threatened” by illegal logging in recent years, particularly in the provinces of Bocas del Toro, Colón and Darién, Panama’s National Forestry Director, Víctor Cadavid, told EcoAméricas after the announcement. Well before taking office in July, members of Panama’s new administration, headed by President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, had brainstormed strategies to address the country’s most pressing environmental issues, according to Cadavid. Among the highest-priority plans was to curb illegal logging, starting with the declaration of a moratorium on new logging permits within 100 days of taking office, says the forestry director, whose office forms part of the Environment Ministry. “We are at an important moment where safeguarding our resources with firm policies is required to carry out our strategy as... [Log in to read more]
