The government had imposed section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code on two forest reserves in Bago Region restricting people from entering the forests, according to a ‘Mirror’ daily report on 3 March. 
According to the report, “Section 144 was imposed and restricts entry into the forest reserves of Zarmari and Shwe laung Kotukwe Salu and bans people from logging, cutting and extracting bamboo, cutting firewood and making charcoal.”
The daily also reported that there was similar illegal logging and extraction of forest produce on a large scale in Zaungtu and Taikkyi in Bago Region and, this time, the Township Forest Department was likely to take severe action against illegal loggers as per Forest Law. 
The daily paper quoted a local timber trader as saying, “It is ugly to see massive illegal logging and extraction of teakwood in Zaungphyar, Zaungtu, Taikkyi and Zeedaw. Bawnatgyi and Thit Seik Pin the hubs of the illegal logging trade. They use the express way. They hide their trucks in the village in the daytime and smuggle logs at night. They usually use Super Custom trucks to haul illegal logs.”