Luhanjo has warned that disciplinary action will be taken against staff found to be involved in illegal timber harvesting. He notes that the inability of forestry staff to issue licenses to all people who apply in all areas and in time, may be one of the motivating factors contributing to illegal timber trade. There are incompetent and corrupt elements among some staff who authenticate the forest products acquired and weak forestry administration in some forest areas, Luhanjo admits. Other causes of deforestation include indiscriminate fires, the clearance of forest for agricultural purposes, encroachment and overgrazing. Luhanjo says illegal exploitation is occurring almost all over the country both in Forest Reserves and in unreserved forest areas.
Suspects deal in unlicensed harvesting of timber, wood fuel and charcoal.
Illegal trading in timber products acquired illegally is especially rife in cross border areas. As a means of halting the devastation, authorities have begun enlisting the help of communities living near forests. The lack of affordable alternative sources of energy causes these rural communities to resort to forests as an immediate source. They are being educated to help with forest conservation measures rather than exploiting the forests for short-term gain. Authorities are also mounting police patrols on major roads in a bid to arrest suspects and impound illegal forest produce.