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World Affairs, Economy
Mahesh

04/03/23 09:41 AM IST

Myanmar Teak Wood

In News
  • Since the 2021 military coup in Myanmar prompted Western sanctions on timber trade from that country, India has emerged as a favourite pit-stop for Myanmar’s teak.
Myanmar Teak Wood Conflict 
  • Since the February 2021 coup in Myanmar, the military junta has also taken control of Myanmar Timber Enterprises (MTE).
  • MTE the state-owned company has exclusive rights over the country’s precious timber and teak trade.
  • The MTE has held an estimated dozen timber auctions since the coup. The revenue generated after the sales are a key revenue stream for the military regime.
  • Hence, pro-democracy supporters have termed the imported teak from Myanmar as “Conflict Wood.” Sometimes, it is also called known as "blood teak."
  • The term used to describe teak timber that has been illegally harvested in conflict zones or other areas of instability, such as Myanmar's ethnic conflict zones.
  • The term "blood teak" is used to draw parallels to "blood diamonds," which are diamonds mined in war zones and sold to finance armed conflict.
Teak Wood
  • Teak from Myanmar’s deciduous and evergreen forests is considered the most tensile and durable hardwood, resistant to water and termites.
  • This prized wood is in demand for high-end furniture, veneer and ship-decking – much sought-after by the luxury yacht industry.
  • Adding to its value, ironically, is Myanmar’s shrinking forest cover and depleting teak reserves.
  • Global Forest Watch says the country, over the last two decades, has lost forest cover roughly the size of Switzerland.
Role of the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC)
  • FSC is an international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests.
  • Since its foundation in 1994, FSC has grown to become the world’s most respected and widespread forest certification system.
  • The FSC has made significant efforts to prevent the trade of the illegally harvested teak from Myanmar, but the trade continues to persist.
  • One of the challenges faced by FSC is the limited resources and capacity to monitor and enforce its certification standards across the entire supply chain.
  • FSC relies on third-party certification bodies to verify compliance with its standards, and there have been cases where these bodies have failed to identify or address violations of FSC's standards.
Source- Indian Express

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