In most forests in Gabon, harvesting trees is done systematically by private forestry companies conceded by MINEF.

     Therefore, managing them appropriately is a pressing issue if Gabon’s forest resources are to be used sustainably.

     MINEF manages forest concessions and exposes illegal logging based on the Forest Code.

     However, reporting, inspections and other efforts can only expose so much illegal logging, and paper documents are still used for the management and exposure of crimes, meaning that they are prone to being misplaced or lost.

     To address these issues, a model for a new monitoring system is being developed under the Project.

     The following describes the main attributes of the envisioned model.

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1. Satellite data from multiple points in time is analyzed to identify areas that have changed.

2. GIS data obtained from forest concessions is used to verify harvest timing and locations.

3. This data is used to select potential survey locations.

4. Interviews of personnel who have worked on concessions, and local residents are conducted.

5. New survey field notes are created, and survey records are stored digitally.

 

The monitoring system model is currently being developed under the Project with the above-mentioned points in mind, but some survey locations are difficult to access on foot.

     An effective solution would be to use aerial photography from drones to fully understand the states of those locations. Thus, the vision for the monitoring system is that it will be able to accommodate the use of drones in the future.