Forestry is the science or

practice of planting and

taking care of forests.

Promotes rainfall

Prevents soil erosion

Prevents flooding

Maintains the composition of the atmosphere

Reduces noise pollution

Wind protection

Medicinal remedies

Recreation

Logging

Belize is a sparsely populated enclave on

the Caribbean coast of Central America.

The northern half is low-lying swamp, the

south a high corrugated plateau, while

offshore lies the world’s second biggest

coral reef.

Tropical climate

Large forests – originally full of tropical

hardwoods but now including many faster

growing species

Port facilities to export tree products

Wood processing factories

Gallon Jug in Orange Walk District

Millionaria

Maya Mountains in Cayo District

Mountain Pine Ridge

NB: Most of Belize’s land mass is made up of forested

areas

The species of trees grown in Belize include:

Mahogany

Pine

Rosewood

Cedar

Bulletwood

The availability of transport has determined the

areas that could be exploited.

In Orange Walk District, for example, the trees

are felled in three main areas, transported by

trucks or tractors to the New River and then

floated to the mill near Orange Walk Town.

Formerly, rail, tractors, trucks, rafts and

bullocks were used to get the logs to the

sawmills in Belize.

Today the railway system has fallen into disuse

and most logs are moved by road. Several

feeder roads have been built to link areas of

operation, such as that between Millionario and

Augustine.

All logging is completed by late May - early

June. Even the special trucks, called ‘caminos’,

cannot operate in the muddy terrain once the

heavy rains start.

Traditional products using tropical

hardwoods, such as furniture, are

being replaced by woodfuel and

tree products used in the industry

from non-native, introduced

species.

The major problem is getting the cut trees t one of several sawmills operating in the country. The availability of transport has therefore determined the areas that could be exploited.

Changing tastes from Western buyers concerned about the use of traditional tropical hardwood species

Over-foresting of old species, almost to extinction –use of trees now needs to be sustainable

Competition from foreign countries, especially those in South-east Asia with large forests of tropical hardwoods, e.g. Indonesia

The Forestry Department in Belize has

taken steps to replant stands of pin and

mahogany following indiscriminate

harvesting in the last few decades.

Although the best timber was removed in

the 1950s and 1960s, reforestation in the

Cayo, Stan Creek and Toledo districts is

taking place, but Belize is still losing an

estimated 1 – 1.5% of its forest area

annually.

Since 1993, the Government of Belize

has granted 16 long-term logging

concessions in lands occupied by

native peoples (the Mayas), and

logging companies that are cutting

trees in prohibited areas, bulldozing in

prohibited areas to build roads, and

cutting during the rainy season.

Belize's economy depended on forestry until well into the 20th century. Logwood, used to make dye, was Belize's initial main export. However, the supply outstripped the demand, especially as Europeans developed man-made dyes which were less expensive. Loggers turned to mahogany, which grew in abundance in the country's forests. The wood was prized for use in cabinets, ships, and railroad carriers. While many merchants and traders became wealthy from the mahogany industry, ups and downs in the market had a large impact on the economy. In addition, new mahogany trees weren't being planted, because mahogany trees grow slowly; the rate of natural regrowth necessitated a large, long-term investment in tree farming, which was not made. As the 19th century progressed, loggers were forced to go deeper into the forests to find the trees, increasing labour costs.

The forestry is a multi-million-dollar activity in Belize. Lumber and resins are exported from Mountain Pine Ridge to the USA, although in recent years the chicle-producing industry has almost disappeared owing to the development of chemical substitutes.

Even with the new logging activities,

lumbering is in decline in Belize. In

2000, the country exported US$3.627

million or forest products, but it

imported US$4.166 million of

plywood, sawnwood and veneer

sheets.

Many governments have designated certain areas as forest reserves. In such areas logging is strictly prohibited.

Controlled cutting of trees (only mature trees)

A massive re-afforestation programme which necessitates replanting of trees in areas where forests once flourished.

An education programme to inform the public of the importance of forests

Strict and severe penalties for illegal logging.

Done By:

Nicole Hamilton

Jonelle McPherson

Cameika Davis

Rikki Bowen