The communities of Kavango East and West regions appear to be making inroads in bringing the harvesting of illegal timber under control. 

Chief Forester for Zambezi, Kavango East and West regions, Johannes Niipale attributes the decrease to resolve shown in holding illegal harvesters criminally liable.

Niipale says the Directorate of Forestry decided last year to stop issuing on the spot fines and rather drag culprits to court.