New portable x-ray vans are heading out to D R Congo to combat illegal logging.
X-ray vans and equipment are normally used in anti-terrorist operations or to tackle smuggling of drugs, weapons and explosives. A few years ago the equipment was large and cumbersome, now it can fit in the back of a small van. It can also work in drive-by mode for convert operations.
The World Bank has just funded an order for two of these portable ‘back-scatter’ x-ray vans for use in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in an effort to tackle the ever-present timber smugglers and illegal loggers.
X-ray vans look for smuggled timber.
The vans are produced by American Science and Engineering. The models heading for the DRC are Z Backscatter Vans. SGS - a standards inspection and verification company – and the Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Tourism (MENCT) will operate the vans.
The vans heading to the DRC will be adapted to further improve their performance by having a revolutionary Forwardscatter x-ray ability in addition to the Backscatter.
The Z Backscatter vans will be able to park up un-noticed at border crossing areas and examine vehicles crossing the border for hidden hardwood and tropical woods being smuggled out of the country. There are concerns that half of the timber leaving DRC is logged illegally with some estimates putting illegal timber exports at 500, 000 cubic metres each year.
“We are working with the DRC’s Ministry of the Environment to provide innovative solutions to monitor forestry activities on their borders,” said Anthony Fabiano, AS&E President and CEO. “With its mobility and flexibility to move from location to location, the ZBV system is an ideal solution to scan trucks on the border to find smuggled tropical wood in cargo. The system offers unparalleled ability to detect and image organic materials, including wood.”
Over 50% of DR Congo official timber is certified sustainable.
The forests of DR Congo covers about 55% of the country that’s about 133 million ha – only Brazil has more tropical forests. The timber trade is essential for the country’s economy and over half of the official logging concessions are classed as sustainable by the FSC. Tackling the illegal loggers is essential for the DRC if it is to support and grow a sustainable timber industry.
New technology can quickly and easily search for illegal logs being driven out of the country hidden in cargo on the back of trucks. The new x-ray vans only need one operator to scan trucks as the drive along towards the border or into the docks.
Latest step to tackle illegal logging trade in DR Congo.
The purchase and deployment of the new x-ray scanning vehicles is just the latest step that the government is taking with the backing and funding of the World Bank. New real-time satellite monitoring, enhanced boat patrols and better certification methods are all helping the new Congolese government turn their forestry into a long-term and sustainable industry. There is, however, still a long way to go.
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