PeruForests

Peru's Tahuamanu rainforest is one of the greatest centers of biodiversity on the planet and home to one of the world's last populations of uncontacted indigenous people. It also possesses some of the few remaining stands of old-growth mahogany and cedar, making it the target of illegal and unsustainable logging that is destroying the habitat of thousands of species and endangering the lives of local populations.

Learn more about the BioGems program and the Natural Resources Defense Council

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WHAT'S NEW

October 29, 2007 - In response to FOIA lawsuit by NRDC, Department of State releases April 6, 2006 cable from the U.S. Embassy in Peru which states that "Much of the exports [of mahogany from Peru] are likely from illegal logging, violating Peruvian law and the CITES international convention against trafficking in endangered species." (PDF)

June 6, 2006 - Peruvian Indigenous Groups and NRDC sue U.S. Government Agencies and Top Importers to Halt Imports of Contraband Mahogany Press release

For Native Federation of the Madre de Dios River and Tributaries v. Bozovich Timber Products, Inc. legal documents click here

January 2006 - CENTERPIECE Story of the issue of EcoAmericas highlights "Peruvian forestry control efforts still no match for illegal mahogany trade" in an article entitled "Peruvian mahogany stands under attack" (PDF)

December 10, 2004 - INRENA issues press release regarding new Forestry Information System for CITES enforcement (JPG in Spanish)

December 1, 2004 - NRDC and Defenders of Wildlife write to European Commission detailing concerns about the continued importation of mahogany from Peru in violation of CITES (PDF)

September 22, 2004 - U.S. Fish & Wildlife letter sidesteps concerns that imports of mahogany from Peru continue to violate CITES. (PDF)

September 10, 2004 - Natural Resources Defense Council urge U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to confiscate illegal mahogany shipments in compliance with the Endangered Species Act (PDF)

June 28, 2004 - Natural Resources Defense Council and Defenders of Wildlife report CITES violations on imports of Peruvian big-leaf mahogany to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (PDF)

May 17, 2004 - Peruvian government creates the Multisectorial Commission for the Fight Against Illegal Logging and approves the National Strategy for the Fight against Illegal Logging (legal text in Spanish)

March 15, 2004 - WWF-Perú issues public statement on the fight against illegal logging (JPG)

December 17, 2003 - NRDC, major environmental groups ask U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for greater scrutiny of CITES shipments (letter)

November 15, 2003 - CITES trade controls enter into force for big-leaf mahogany (link) (press release on PeruForests)

September 28, 2003 - The New York Times reports on the illegal logging situation in Madre de Dios, quotes BioGem partner Victor Pesha of the FENAMAD (story on PeruForests)

September 22, 2003 - FENAMAD responds to attacks on indigenous peoples (press release in Spanish)

September 08, 2003 - U.N. Development Program begins US$1 million Biodiversity Conservation Project with BioGem partner FENAMAD (press release in Spanish)

July 28, 2003 - Colin Powell launches Presidential Initiative Against Illegal Logging (speech) (fact sheet) (White House brochure)

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