Forest Crime Research Articles

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Strengthening the Legal Framework for Regulation of Wildlife and Forest Crimes in Nigeria

Artificial intelligence (AI) applications and machine learning models have extended beyond merely solving computer-related problems to tackle environmental sustainability issues. One such case is countermanding the demand and supply of illegal forest and wildlife products. In Nigeria, the challenges of improving its ability to combat the high rate of wildlife and forest crimes within its borders remain daunting. Despite existing laws, Nigeria remains both a source and a key intermediary for wildlife smuggling and crimes involving protected species. This paper analyses the potential of AI as a tool for strengthening the existing legal framework on wildlife crimes in Nigeria. The findings of this paper demonstrate that the current framework for preventing forest and wildlife crime is being breached due to a lack of resources available to enforcement authorities. Thus, leveraging AI’s potential presents innovative solutions to strengthen compliance with these laws.

Spatial statistics for legal process

ABSTRACT This research was designed in a random sampling method for detecting legal drawbacks in Chattogram North Forest Division, Bangladesh. Land use and land cover (LULC) change, normalised difference vegetation indexing (NDVI), hotspot analysis, IDW and Ripley’s K function were applied for spatial analysis of forest crimes of five fiscal years. The LULC showed forests degraded from 76% to 12% while the NDVI was 0.37 to 1. In 13 detected hotspots, a 2% probability of occurring offences in neighbouring areas of each hotspot was determined by hotspot analysis and IDW respectively. Ripley’s K showed randomly distributed hotspots.

Analysis of the Relations Between Forestry Financial Supports and Forest Crimes.

Forest crimes are among the serious threats destroying forests. To prevent the forest crimes there are various solutions proposed, such as fortification of the laws, increasing the penalties, or increasing the public awareness. This article, however, suggests an alternative solution of preventing the forest crimes by investigating the relations between the individual financial supports provided to forest villagers and the levels of various forest crime types in Turkey. The study shows that, when the forest villagers are given financial supports, the levels of illegal logging, illegal transferring of forest products, illegal expansion of private lands into forests, illegal processing of trees, and illegal pasturage crimes decrease significantly. However, the financial supports do not affect the levels of illegal occupation of forestlands crime.

Nature of Forest Crime in Bangladesh: An Empirical Study on Modhupur Reserve Forest

The national sal forest, includes the Modhupur Reserve forest, which takes up 76% of the total space. Along with a variety of tree species, this forest is rich in biodiversity. This forest is also threatened by forest crime since it has attracted the attention of grabbers. The scope of forest crime in the Modhupur Reserve Forest was examined in this study. Other objectives include understanding the causes and consequences of forest crime on the ecosystem and humans, as well as the role of law enforcement in forest crime prevention. The study adopted a quantitative methodology and collected data using a non-probability purposive sampling technique. A total of 150 people between the ages of 18 and 83 were collected from the Modhupur Reserve Forest in Tangail. The study' main findings include the smuggling of Sal, Gujjar, and Acacia, deforestation and squatting on forestland, as well as the trafficking of endangered and rare animals and flora. The primary factors that substantially contribute to the growth of forest crime include corruption and dishonesty among forest employees, security personnel, authorities, and even locals. The presence of forest crime jeopardizes both human and natural equilibrium. Acute environmental problems and livestock survival have a significant association. Water scarcity, air pollution, and an increase in natural calamities are just a few of the severe environmental issues that Modhupur people are currently dealing with. Additionally, police involvement is insufficient to eliminate forest crime.

Impact of renewable energy sources on forest crimes the case of North Cyprus

Depending upon promoting and wide-spreading the use of renewable energy sources to preserve natural sources and forest land, several laws and regulations have been drawn by States in terms of sustainability. Investigations in forest land and natural sources for various reasons, statistics revealing forest crimes are being overviewed for sustainable preservation of forests and new arrangements in laws and regulations are being made. The statistics of forest crimes by the Office of Forestry, Preservation and Exploitation Branch and the Electricity Authority of TRNC were referred to while carrying out this study. The findings in these statistics revealed a substantial increase in forest crimes between the years 2012-2017 due to the lack of a State policy and failure in the common use of renewable resources. The findings in this research point to the fact that, based on a sustainable environment policy, more investment in renewable energy sources is essential and will positively affect the reductionof forest crime rates.

The impact of renewable energy sources on forest crimes the case of north Cyprus

Depending upon promoting and wide-spreading the use of renewable energy sources to preserve natural sources and forest land, several laws and regulations have been drawn by States in terms of sustainability. Investigations in forest land and natural sources for various reasons, statistics revealing forest crimes are being overviewed for sustainable preservation of forests and new arrangements in laws and regulations are being made. The statistics of forest crimes by the Office of Forestry, Preservation and Exploitation Branch and the Electricity Authority of TRNC were referred to while carrying out this study. The findings in these statistics revealed a substantial increase in forest crimes between the years 2012-2017 due to the lack of a State policy and failure in the common use of renewable resources. The findings in this research point to the fact that, based on a sustainable environment policy, more investment in renewable energy sources is essential and will positively affect the reductionof forest crime rates.

Spatial and Socioeconomic Analysis of Forest Crimes: A Case Study of Yığılca District

Türkiye’deki orman suçları doğası gereği çoğunlukla kırsalda yaşayan orman köylüleri ve tarımla uğraşanlar tarafından işlenmektedir. Orman suçları çeşitli sebeplerle işlenmekte olup, doğal kaynakların ve orman kaynaklarının sürdürülebilir yönetimi açısından üzerinde durulması gereken önemli bir konudur. Bu çalışmanın amacı, orman suçlarını suç türlerine ve mekânsal özelliklerine göre belirlenmek, bu suçların işlenmesindeki sosyoekonomik sebepleri ortaya koymak ve orman suçlarının önlenebilmesi için öneriler sunmaktır. Çalışma alanı Türkiye’nin Batı Karadeniz Bölgesinde yer alan Düzce ili, Yığılca ilçesidir. Yığılca ilçesi sınırları aynı zamanda Yığılca Orman İşletme Müdürlüğü (YOİM) sınırlarıdır. Bu nedenle YOİM sınırları içerisinde 2011-2020 yıllarına ait orman suçlarına ilişkin veriler çalışma materyalini oluşturmaktadır. Elde edilen veriler ArcGIS 10.4 programında sayısallaştırılmıştır. Ayrıca suç istatistiklerine ilişkin tanımlayıcı bilgilerle birlikte suç türleri ile sanıkların yaş, eğitim ve meslek faktörleri arasındaki ilişkiler analiz edilmiştir. Elde edilen veriler normal dağılım göstermediği için parametrik olmayan testler uygulanmış olup, istatistiki analizler SPSS 22 programında yapılmıştır. Çalışma bulgularına göre; Yığılca ilçesinde işlenen başlıca orman suçlarının sırasıyla kaçak kesme, işgal-faydalanma ve taksirle orman yangınına sebep olma olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Orman suçlarının mekânsal analiz bulgularına göre, orman suçlarının Melendere ve Kızıltepe Orman İşletme Şefliklerinde yoğunlaştığı belirlenmiştir. Orman suçlarının sosyoekonomik nedenlerinin ise, yapılan eylemlerin suç olduğunu bilmeme (bilgisizlik), inkar ve ekonomik ihtiyaç olduğu anlaşılmaktadır. Çalışma sonucunda Yığılca yöresinde işlenen orman suçlarının önlenmesine yönelik ormancılık teşkilatı yöneticilerine ve karar vericilere öneriler getirilmiştir.

Türkiye’deki Orman Suçlarının Değerlendirilmesi

Özet
 Ülkemizin 22,9 milyon hektar olarak belirlenen orman varlığı birçok tehditler altında bulunmakta ve bu tehditlerin en önemli kaynağını insanlardır. Ormanlarda insan müdahaleleri sonucu oluşan zararların büyük bir bölümü kırsal kesimde yaşayan orman köylüsü tarafından yapılmaktadır. Orman suçları olarak adlandırılan bu fiiller ülkemizde halen görülmekte ve bir çevre sorunu olarak karşımızda durmaktadır. Orman suçu; orman varlığının geleceğini tehdit eden düzenli ve sürdürülebilirlik niteliğini ihlal eden, dolayısıyla bu milli serveti tehlikeye sokan bütün fiilller olarak mütalaa edilmiştir. İlk bakışta orman suçları, birçok kimse tarafından ağaçların kesilmesi ve ormanın açılması ile yakılması şeklinde anlaşılabilir ve buna bağlı olarak basit ve sayıca az görülebilir. Bu çalışmada, 1988-2019 yılları arasında Türkiye’de işlenen orman suçları; orman ağaçlarını kaçak kesme, orman ürünlerini kaçak nakletme, ormanda usulsüz alan açma, ormanda usülsüz alan işgal etme, orman alanlarını usülsüz kullanma, izinsiz otlatma gibi suç oluşturan konular bakımından irdelenmiştir. Ayrıca, suçlarla ilgili istatistiki bilgiler verilerek bu suçların sebepleri ve engellenmesi için yapılması gerekenler hakkında öneriler getirilmeye çalışılmıştır.

Comparison of illegal logging crimes and penalties in forest laws in some selected countries

Illegal logging, one of the crimes that damage the forests most, may cost human life as well as tax losses in the world. Only even with commercial concerns, 908 people were killed in 35 countries between 2002 and 2013 due to environmental conflicts. However, the absence of comprehensive international legal norms on forest crimes indicates that domestic law is primarily responsible for determining the nature, scope and consequences of these crimes. In this study, Brazil, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which are among the top countries that suffer the most from forest crimes, and Türkiye, which experienced a significant increase in forest crimes after 2015, were examined in terms of illegal logging crime, forest law and the fine balances related to this crime. It is aimed to discover if there is a relationship between punishment/fine and the number of crimes.

Forest management assessment of as forest use rational type

The article touches upon the problem of Kuznetsk districtforest management, forestry structure analysis, as well as assessment of the region climatic factors. In conclusion, measures to improve forest management efficiency are proposed. Forests located on the territory of Penza region are of great importance for the economy, being one of the main natural resources. In order to preserve and increase forest resources felled, dead, damaged forests are subject to reproduction, that is, annual reforestation is necessary. Timely reproduction of forests with commercially valuable forest species is one of the most important measures that ensures rational and sustainable forest use, improves the growth and development of plantations, as well as the composition and productivity of future forests. In accordance with Penza region Strategy for the long term (until 2021), approved by Penza region Law (as amended), the following are identified as priority areas for forestry complex development: - ensuring the reproduction (restoration) of forest resources; - ensuring a stable state of ecosystems and specially protected natural areas, improving the breed reduction of illegal logging and forest crime; - creation of capacities for deep processing of wood, increasing wood production profitability; - Carrying out sanitary and health-improving and fire-prevention measures.

Criminal Liability Committed by Corporations for Environmental Damage as a Result of Forest and Land Fires (Case Study Case Number 59/PID). B/LH/2020/PN. RGT)

The deforestation process that occurs in Riau is very worrying, forest and land fires are proof that environmental management and utilization are no longer reliable. These forest and land fires are proven to involve companies involved in the cultivation and utilization of forest products. For this reason, the corporation must be criminally responsible because UUPPLH No. 32 of 2009 has recognized the corporation as the subject of criminal law. Efforts to hold companies accountable aren't easy — many companies actually stop investigations because they don't have enough evidence. Therefore, the author wants to know the criteria of corporations that are said to commit forest and land fire crimes, as well as how the form of criminal accountability. This research method uses normative legal methods and sculptural approaches that are approaches through legislation. The results of the investigation, the criteria of the corporation to commit the crime of forest and land fires if it meets the elements in the preparation of articles of forest and land fires, namely land clearing by burning and exceeding environmental quality standards. The violation is committed by a person for work or other relationship reasons within the scope of the business entity. If the crime is committed by, for, or on behalf of a business entity, it shall be considered a corporate act. The form of corporate criminal liability in the criminal act of forest and land fires is preliminary, because the error lies with the corporate administrator (director) who is the mastermind or owner of control of the company's operational activities (Director Mind). Because in PP No. 4 of 2001 Article 13 that the director as the person in charge of all commercial activities whose business can cause damage and environmental pollution must comply with government regulation No. forest and land fires.

Determining the Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Land Cover along with Some Socio-Economic Factors in the Olur Planning Unit (Turkey)

Because forest cover changes directly affect the sustainability of the forest value, they should be observed carefully. This study analyzed the spatial and temporal pattern of land use/land cover change (LULCC) along with the effects of some socio-economic factors such as forest crime rates, rural population change, and annual gross national product (GNP) on spatiotemporal change of forest dynamics between 1970 and 2015 in the Olur forest planning unit using ArcGIS software and Patch Analyst extension.The results showed that high forest areas increased by 47.14% between 1970 and 2015. Coppice stands completely transitioned to other cover types in 2015 due to the changing of management policy in the case study area. Based on landscape pattern, the total number of patches (NP) increased by 50.07%, and mean patch size (MPS) decreased by 31.88% during the period. Results indicated that the forest ecosystem became more sensitive as it turned into a more spatially fragmented structure, making continued efforts to maintain biodiversity and insure sustainability a challenge. Depending on the decrease in the rural population and economic growth, there was a serious decrease in forest crime rates. This study has shown that socio-economic factors can be effective on landscape dynamics besides management activities.

NGO-state relations in the monitoring of illegal forest logging and wildlife trafficking in Central Africa

Independent forest monitoring (IFM) by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) emerged in the late 1990s as a forest governance mechanism in response to rising forest crime in Asia and Central Africa. IFM is the use of an independent third party that, by agreement or not with state authorities, provides an assessment of legal compliance, and observation of and guidance on official forest law enforcement systems. The success of IFM by NGOs is therefore, inextricably linked to the nature of the relationship with state authorities yet this relationship has neither been explored nor understood. There is scant empirical research on this mechanism globally. This paper addresses these gaps through participatory observation, documentary analysis and interviews with leaders of five NGOs at the forefront of forest and wildlife monitoring in Central Africa. Using Najam (2000) 4-C framework, we find complex and fluid relationships ranging from cooperation, complementarity, confrontation and instrumentalization. Complementarity and confrontation emerge as the most important relationship types while cooperation is the least prevalent relationship. In response to challenges in the relationships, NGOs use a repertoire of strategies and tactics to influence the state in pursuit of their goals. Unfortunately, significant dependence on a limited stream of intermittent external donor funding and lack of clearly articulated influence and advocacy strategies, limit the potential contribution of IFM to the fight against forest and wildlife crime in Central Africa. The implications for IFM organisations, national governments and donor agencies are discussed.

Fumbling Out the Effective Pathways to Apply the Wildlife and Forest Analytic Toolkit in the Mekong Region: Looking at Data and Analysis Perspectives

The Wildlife and Forest Analytic Toolkit, introduced by the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC), is designed to increase the effectiveness of measures combating wildlife and forest crimes (WAFCs). Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries have applied this toolkit as one of their priority actions after recognizing concerns about the biodiversity system and conservational zone through several illegal wildlife trade (IWT) activities. Although the toolkit has realized its fundamental objectives to readjust legal frameworks, enhance enforcement involvement, and improve their judicial and prosecutorial operations, the last components of data and analysis have not yet been implemented. This leads to slow updates of both trends and patterns concerning WAFCs that raise questions about the real levels of exploitation in the region. Using gray literature with published materials, combined with the IWT’s database in the CITES system, this study examines why the data and analysis component of the Toolkit created obstacles in the GMS countries. Findings point to there being at least four main challenges to implementing data and analysis as the toolkit has recommended in the region: (1) availability and reliability of data; (2) data collection; (3) data resources (internal vs. external level); and (4) analytic research and its related monitors. Some practical recommendations call for further discussions. Meanwhile, updated information and specific data relating to zoonotic disease transmission are timely, considering the coronavirus pandemic.

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Discrimination of Charcoal from Eucalyptus and Native Cerrado Species—Contribution to a Database for Forestry Supervision

Abstract The illegal charcoal trade is an internationally well-known forest crime. In Brazil, government agents try to control it using the document of forest origin (DOF). To confirm a load’s legality, the agents must compare it with the declared content of the DOF. However, to identify charcoal is difficult even for specialists in wood anatomy. Hence, new technologies would facilitate the agents’ work. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) provides a rapid and precise response to differentiate carbonized species. Considering the rich Brazilian flora, NIR studies are still underdeveloped. Our work aimed to differentiate charcoals of seven eucalypts and 10 Cerrado species based on NIR analysis and to add information to a charcoal database. Data were collected with a spectrophotometer in reflectance mode. Partial least square regression with discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was applied to confirm the performance and potential of NIR spectra to distinguish native Cerrado species from eucalyptus species. Wavenumbers from 4,000 to 6,000 cm−1 and transversal surface presented the best results. NIR had the potential to distinguish eucalypt charcoals from Cerrado species and in comparison to reference samples. NIR is a potential tool for forestry supervision to guarantee the sustainability of the charcoal supply in Brazil and countries with similar conditions.

Public perception of forest crimes: The case of Ilgaz Province in Turkey

The protection and sustainable management of forests are widely accepted and considered a solution for mitigating climate change. Although there are many variables concerning economic, political, social, and legal aspects in terms of forest protection, the main target is always focused on human behavior. Legal instruments are one of the most effective methods in regulating human behavior. Since illegal activities are often the most destructive human behavior, this study aims to examine the public’s perception regarding forest crimes: illegal logging, illegal transportation/smuggling, open land expansion, squatting, and arson. It has been explained in previous studies that legal regulations alone do not sufficiently prevent forest crimes. Although forest villagers themselves benefit greatly from healthy forests, it was determined that occurrences of criminal activity in forests are directly correlated with low-income levels, lack of awareness of laws and sanctions, low penalties on crimes, and a low level of education. Those administrations responsible for the management of forests need to identify the socio-economic needs of these groups and communities through social analysis within the parameters of SFM.

Effect of protected areas on forest crimes in Brazil

Forest crimes are a sparsely researched topic. There is ample evidence that protected areas play a role in lessening deforestation in the developing world, but their relationship to forest crimes is unknown. We examine the coastal municipalities of São Paulo State, Brazil to identify what role protected areas play in the incidence of forest crimes, using a series of regression models. Our findings provide support for a positive and significant relationship between protected areas and forest crime, likely due to increased opportunities for the commission of crimes, enhanced environmental monitoring and enforcement, and the reduction of legally exploitable forest areas. In addition, education levels were significant in contributing to increased forest crimes. The implications of our results are discussed in the context of public policy as well as forest crime prevention initiatives. While protected areas appear to contribute to a higher incidence of forest crimes in coastal São Paulo State.

The effect of population shift on land cover change and illegal forest activities.

Interaction between humans and forests has always been strong. Wood has been at the core of all humankind's endeavors since the discovery of fire and learning how to fabricate it out of trees. The exploitation of forests has not been limited to the procurement of wood, but the concepts of sheltering, hunting, and protection have also been matured near or within the forests. This win-win situation intuitively attracted more and more people to this type of resource. As the human population has grown in forest villages, the pressure caused by the human on the forests has increased. Without active management of the forests, the situation has become so dire that uncontrolled and irregular utilization has started jeopardizing the existence of this resource. The objective of this study was to examine the changes in forest road, forestland cover, and forest crimes in the Daday Forest Enterprise (DFE) located in Kastamonu Regional Directorate of Forestry, Turkey. The results indicated that the population in 51 forest villages was decreased from 1975 to 1990. This decrease was also apparent in all villages across the region during the 1990-2000 period and continued decreasing in 45 villages during the 2000-2016 period. The forestland cover was 57% in 1975, 44% in 2000, and 57% in 2016 while the density in the forest road kept increasing. A noticeable decrease in the forest-related crimes was also determined, and the results showed that effective forest management, consciousness, and conservation policies stopped the deterioration.

Karadeniz Ormanlarındaki Sosyo-Ekonomik Faktörlerin Karbon Dinamikleri Üzerine Etkisi: Akçaabat Örneği

Forest ecosystems play a crucial role in mitigating the negative impacts of global climate change as an essential carbon sink. Land use and land cover change, mainly deforestation, degradation, and afforestation, have significantly affected carbon (C) stock. This study analyzed the effects of land use and land cover changes on forest C dynamics and its spatial distribution based on demographic, socio-economic, and landscape structure in the Akçaabat forest planning unit. Moreover, forest C dynamics in aboveground, belowground, deadwood, litter, and soil were calculated separately based on forest inventory data in 1984, 2008, and 2018. While the total C stock increased by about 38.04% between 1984 and 2008, it increased only by about 4.64% between 1984 to 2018 due mainly to not including of non-state-owned areas covered with forest trees (about 4369.40 ha) in the forest management plans developed based on land cadastre in 2018. The most considerable contribution to the C pool was from the soil by about 73.39%, 72.32% and 61.60% in 1984, 2008 and 2018, respectively. Deciduous cover types, young and full covered forests, had the highest average C density with 442.61 Mg ha-1 49.65 Mg ha-1 and 144.47 Mg ha-1, respectively. Over three decades, the conversion from degraded, forest opening, and non-forest areas to productive forests as well as increasing the quality of forest structure characterized by increasing mixed forest, young or mature development stages, and full covered forests has contributed positively to the C stock. This increase in the quality of the forest can be explained by conversion abandoned agriculture areas to forested areas with migration, reduction of social pressure on forested areas based on decreasing forest crime, and increasing forest crime, and increasing aware awareness and increasing awareness and sensitivity to the environment based on economic development. Analyzing the spatiotemporal patterns and driving factors of carbon dynamics are critical in developing appropriate planning strategies to control climate change.

ILLEGAL LOGGING AND FOREST OFFENCES IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA: PERCEIVED OPPORTUNITY FACTORS

Background and Purpose: A model by the World Bank (2006) explained the causes of illegal logging and environmental crimes in terms of the simultaneous presence of methods, motives, and opportunities. This paper aims to examine the opportunity factors behind the commission of illegal logging and forest offences in Malaysia based on the perceptions of forest enforcement agencies.
 
 Methodology: Responses from the agencies were mainly obtained through a set of questionnaire though semi-structured interviews were also carried out to support the quantitative findings. The strength of the factors was determined through data analysis using SPSS, where opportunity factors for committing illegal logging were analyzed according to the results of measures of central tendency and measures of dispersion.
 
 Findings: Insufficient enforcement facilities and equipment were found in the study to be the most significant factors which present opportunities for committing the offences. Respondents also perceived the level of enforcement, cooperation between government agencies and the possibility of conviction as the factors which open up opportunities for illegal logging and forest offences.
 
 Contributions: The results of the study may help create awareness and provide inputs for policy makers to formulate appropriate policy responses to curb illegal logging and other forest crimes.
 
 Keywords: Environmental crime, illegal logging, opportunity factors, policy response, Act 313.
 
 Cite as: Mohd Noor, M. N. H, Kadir, R., & Muhamad, S. (2020). Illegal logging and forest offences in peninsular Malaysia: Perceived opportunity factors. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(2), 86-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss2pp86-102