The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) says it is implementing the Remote Sensing and Bar-Coding system into its existing log tracking programme in its promotion of sustainable forestry development.
The GFC project is funded by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) at a cost of more than $100M, a press release from the Government Information Agency said.
It uses modern tracking devices to combat illegal logging activities. The GFC said this monitoring technique is being used in many South American countries including neighbouring Brazil.
The project was approved by the ITTO earlier this year and, according to GFC Head of the Planning and Development Division, Pradeepa Bholanauth, it began last September with efforts to recruit the three main consultants necessary for its implementation. Posts were advertised for specialists in areas of Chain of Custody; Networking and Bar Coding; and Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System and applicants are currently being reviewed.
It is expected that once these positions are filled, the project will move into the next phase which includes conducting remote sensing imagery and geographic assessments of the current log tracking system to integrate the Bar-Coding technology. This is expected to take place in early January after which the Chain of Custody Specialist will be required to formulate procedures to ensure strategic implementation of the bar-coding system. This step will allow the GFC to better monitor production of logs and other timber products extracted from a particular location and make it easier to track the volume/quantity of products harvested.
The GFC said the Bar-Coding System is part of its efforts to modernise its monitoring capacity since it will feed into a central database linked to a national wide-area network. This will allow for real-time transfer of data and the availability of tracking information for the regulatory agency and operators in the private sector. The project will make detection of illegal logging and other non-compliant activities easier both in transit and at point of sale, by scanning bar code labels on log tags to determine if the tag being used is valid, date/time last checked.
Similar checks will be done in the forest at tree stumps. Under the system, raw materials and stumps are identified using a plastic barcode tag that is attached immediately after logging or when being split into pieces at timber collection points. These tags are scanned at the GFC’s check points to determine whether the produce is legal. The logs that have been converted are transported to manufacturing plants where the number and description are recorded on timber certificates and removal licences. When the logs are collected at the manufacturing plants and at timber yards the data is recorded. This recording is done in batches per supplier, as these entities purchase materials from several suppliers in multiple species and volumes. They can, however, be traced by log tag numbers and bar codes to the source of origin in the forest. Scanning and reconciliation will also be enabled at lumber yards, sawmills and timber manufacturing operations.
The GFC said this initiative will enhance the work of its Forest Monitoring Division which scrutinizes 22 forest stations located at strategic points throughout Guyana. These include stations at Canje, Springlands, Bamboo Landing, Kwakwani, Soesdyke, Linden and Bartica.
