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| NY Times: "Shaky Rule in Madagascar Threatens Trees" http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=27556 |
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| Author: | TimAllen [ Tue May 25, 2010 8:21 am ] |
| Post subject: | NY Times: "Shaky Rule in Madagascar Threatens Trees" |
"MAROANSETRA, Madagascar — Exploiting a political crisis, Malagasy timber barons are robbing this island nation of its sylvan heritage, illegally cutting down scarce species of rosewood trees in poorly protected national parks and exporting most of the valuable logs to China. "...For a decade or more, this illicit trade existed on a small scale. But in the past year, it has increased at least 25-fold, according to environmental groups that have been tracking the outgoing shipments. They estimate the value of trees felled this past year at $167 million or more "...Madagascar, the world’s fourth largest island, is a place of extraordinary botanical abundance, with perhaps 14,000 species of plants, 90 percent of which exist nowhere else on earth. Saving the rosewood trees is now an international cause." More at-- http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/world ... ar.html?hp |
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| Author: | Alexandru Marian [ Tue May 25, 2010 8:32 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: NY Times: "Shaky Rule in Madagascar Threatens Trees" |
I just took a pause from french polishing a Madagascar RW guitar and opened OLF to read this. While rubbing I find it hard to concentrate on the job simply because the wood is so incredibly beautiful. I sure wish it will not have the same end as Brazilian rosewood. I also know I hope in vain. |
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| Author: | Brock Poling [ Tue May 25, 2010 9:21 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: NY Times: "Shaky Rule in Madagascar Threatens Trees" |
My guess is it will be worse. Given the political state over there, I suspect they will cut them ALL. |
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| Author: | Laurent Brondel [ Tue May 25, 2010 9:42 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: NY Times: "Shaky Rule in Madagascar Threatens Trees" |
Brock Poling wrote: I suspect they will cut them ALL. As in Gilgamesh, or Easter Island?You're probably right though. As another proof that ecology depends on politics (and religion), it's stunning to see aerial photographs of the border between Santo Domingo and Haïti. |
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| Author: | Brock Poling [ Tue May 25, 2010 9:47 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: NY Times: "Shaky Rule in Madagascar Threatens Trees" |
Yeah, I think until you get a stable political climate and the rule of law is consistently enforced all the ecology in the world will not save it. It is unfortunate. It is great wood. |
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| Author: | Haans [ Tue May 25, 2010 10:38 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: NY Times: "Shaky Rule in Madagascar Threatens Trees" |
Indeed sorry to hear, but makes me glad I don't have any, and more happy I'm having wild success with white oak. I guess I'm not too pleased about the Honduran mahogany situation though and it's supply bothers me as I do like to use it for necks. |
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