The Forestry Development Authority (FDA) has alarmed over illegal logging, illicit mining and hunting by some unscrupulous individuals in some of its protected areas including the forest along the Liberia-Ivory Coast border as well as the Grebo and Wonegisi forests.

The FDA is accordingly warning all individuals involved in these illegal actions to desist immediately or be made to face the full weight of the law. Meanwhile, the FDA has deployed its rangers and re-enforced patrol within its protected forests and the forest along the Liberia-Ivorian border and at the same time mandated them to arrest and turn over to the Justice Ministry for prosecution all individuals involved in the wholesome practice.

At the same time, as part of its expansion of Protected Area Network, the FDA is in the process of validating community forests along the Ivory Coast-Liberia border. Research shows that Liberia's protected forest is rich in biodiversity and some of the most unique and endangered species in the world.

The FDA is committed to ensuring the conservation and protection of these species under both international and Liberian laws and is therefore advising all individuals to desist from these unwholesome practices, the release concluded.