"Myanmar authorities recently seized over 626.1 tons of illegal timbers across the country in a week, state-run media reported on Saturday (Feb 29). The seizures which were made from Feb. 17 to 23 included over 230.8 tons of teak, over 116.5 tons of hardwood and over 278.7 tons of other types of timbers, Forest Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation was quoted as saying. During the period, 64 offenders were charged, along with the seizure of 45 vehicles and machinery. Union Minister U Ohn Win for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation told a recently held meeting that the tree planting and logging are vital for the country as 83 percent of the population is relying on the forest. Meanwhile, the forest department has been making efforts to crack down on illegal logging and trading of forest products as well as to implement tree plantation projects in substitution..."