News from the world of forests

Indian State Plugs Into Bamboo Power (AFP)

Guwahati, India – A state in northeast India plans to set up a pioneering environmentally-friendly power stations that run on bamboo to help meet the region's energy needs, officials said. Assam state will be the first in India to use the "green" power and one of the first places in the world to tap the energy potential of the fast-growing grass. The state plans to set up two one-megawatt capacity power plants that run on bamboo by February.

2006. January 5.

Australian Bushfires Destroy Homes, Temperatures Soar (ForestPress)

SYDNEY - Raging bushfires destroyed several homes and threatened others north of Sydney on Sunday as scorching temperatures and dry winds fanned fires across southeastern Australia. Temperatures reached up to 44 degrees Celsius (111 F) in some areas, and firefighters were battling scores of blazes, although authorities said cooler weather and rain had brought relief to South Australia and Victoria.

2006. January 4.

The Salon du Meuble de Paris (ForestPress)

A major European Fair, first Fair of the year, the Paris Furniture Fair presents a showcase of the international offer on the furniture and home furnishings market. Three major sectors await you : - the Wide Market welcomes manufacturers of modern and classical furniture, large distribution and bedding, and in 2006 will move towards all home products following the evolution of the market. - the Village regroups classical furnishing products adapted to todays needs in a specially adapted scenography and presents the market’s trends. - the Métropole brings together industrial firms and editors dedicated to contemporary furniture and working with designers. In 2006 the Metropole will widen its offer: kitchen, bathroom, lighting.

2006. January 4.

Press room

A new position as Head of Department for

A new position as Head of Department for "Forestry and Forest Products" at the Danish Centre for Forest, Landscape and Planning, KVL. Forest & Landscape Denmark wishes to announce the vacancy of the position of Head of Department for Forestry and Forest Products. Objectives and Fields of Work The purpose of the Department is to conduct research and development, teach, advise and disseminate results for the promotion of sustainable forestry. The field of work includes silviculture and forest management, forest operations, wood technology and collection of forest data.

2006. January 3.

Hunan province takes pains to plant trees to prevent deforestation (Channel News Asia)

By Channel News Asia's China Correspondent Ca-Mie De Souza HUNAN, China: In many parts of the world, indiscriminate deforestation is a major environmental problem. But at least one Chinese province is working hard to plant trees and shrubs, to restore and expand the natural environment. Workers spent two months landscaping the entrance to a lake attraction in Hunan's Zhangjiajie National Park.

2006. January 3.

One step forward for Romanian sustainable forestry (WWF Europe)

1 Million hectares of state forests FSC certified – WWF receives acknowledgements On November 2nd 2005 the National Forestry Administration received the certificate for the FSC certification of 1 million hectares of state forests from 8 counties of Romania.

2006. January 2.

Traditions

The Foresters Celebration Song (Nordic)

Akademiska Sångforeningen A sample of traditional Nordic vocal celebration of the forest and of drinking. This Finnish song "The Foresters Drinking Song" - is sung by the male choir from the album " The melody is originally a german folk song with the title "We're hunting through the woods". Käy metsolan halki nyt retkemme tie,se kunnaalla kulkee, se laaksohon vie.Nyt edespäin vaan, nyt edespäin vaan,meit estele virta, ei kuohuvakaan.Nyt veikkonen juo! (Nyt juo!)Nyt veikkonen juo! (Nyt juo!)Nyt veikkonen juo! (Nyt juo!)Ain' eläköön metsä, ja reimun vuo.Ain' eläköön metsä, ja reimun vuo. THE FORESTERS CELEBRATION SONG And some Hungarian songs.

2006. January 1.

Safer EU Food & Feed (ForestPress)

The first of January 2006 marks a significant milestone for food safety in the EU, with the entry into application of a large updated body of food and feed legislation.

2006. January 1.

News

Schavan proposes European Tsunami warning system (German News)

The German government wants to push for a European tsunami early warning system for European coasts. Research minister Annette Schavan said that tsunamis were not impossible in Europe, especially under climate change. The CDU politician suggested to implement the system in the Mediterranean Sea and at the Atlantic coast.

2005. December 31.

Forest Service seeks to protect bighorns in Tetons (AP)

JACKSON, Wyo. – Managers of the Bridger-Teton National Forest say they want to set travel routes for skiers and snowboarders through mountainous bighorn sheep winter range to protect the state's smallest and most isolated herd. At just over 100 animals, the Targhee bighorn sheep population is all that remains of a herd that once roamed from the west side of the Teton Range to the valley bottoms of Jackson Hole. The Forest Service says human influences, including recreation, now pose the biggest threat to the stability of the herd.

2005. December 30.

Dozens of fires keep nation on high alert (The Australian)

By James Madden FIREFIGHTERS have controlled dozens of blazes in three states, but heatwave forecasts have them still on high alert. Lightning strikes are believed to have started several fires early yesterday morning, including two large blazes in Victoria and another in South Australia.

2005. December 30.

United Nations renews timber, diamond sanctions in Liberia (illegal-logging.info)

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council renewed diamond and timber sanctions on Liberia for another six months and asked an expert panel to take a fresh look at the bans by June 7. In a resolution adopted unanimously, the council also extended an arms embargo for another year in the West African nation, founded by former American slaves.

2005. December 30.

News

Defiant British Foxhunters Take to the Field (Reuters)

By Peter Graff, LONDON — British hunters galloped through fields and forests on the year's biggest hunting day on Monday in a show of defiance at a newly introduced ban on the age-old custom of killing foxes with packs of dogs. Organisers laid trails with the smell of fox -- rather than allow dogs to chase real foxes -- to avoid falling foul of the ban imposed this year by Prime Minister Tony Blair's ruling Labour Party.

2005. December 29.

Bad cops undermine illegal logging raids Jakarta Post (Indonesia)

Corrupt officers have undermined the police's largest crackdown on illegal logging ever this year and could further endanger the prospects for future operations, a top detective says.

2005. December 28.

MTK is reforming its forest biodiversity programme (Nordic/ForestPress)

The Central Union of Finnish Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK) is reforming its forest biodiversity programme. The Forest Owners' Union is reforming its biodiversity programme for private forestry. The new programme covers all aspects of sustainable forestry.

2005. December 27.

Indigenous Trees Feed Rural Families (Business Day)

By Nicola Jenvey (Durban) – Hundreds of rural families, many of whom are child-headed households, are securing sound incomes by growing indigenous trees from the seeds found in local forests and using the saplings as currency. The project, which aims to help people out of poverty, got a boost yesterday when 100 new bicycles, food, clothing and building materials became the anchor products for a range of stores that will barter trees for goods.

2005. December 27.

News

Strong Growth Seen in Britain's Organic Food Sales (Reuters)

LONDON - Britain's organic food and drink market will increase 72 percent by 2010 to reach 2 billion pounds ($3.47 billion), research company Mintel said on Thursday. Organic products currently account for around one percent of overall food and drink sales, with market sales estimated at1.2 billion pounds ($2.08 billion) in 2005, the report said.

2005. December 26.

Adopt a mangrove area plan (New Straits Times)

By Lau Meisan JOHOR BARU – In a bid to hasten the planting of mangrove trees and create greater awareness of their importance, the Government will embark on a programme of community involvement. The public, especially those staying near mangroves, will be asked to "adopt" designated mangrove areas for replanting and monitoring the trees that helped reduce the impact of last year’s tsunami.

2005. December 26.