Bugging Trees to Stop Logging

The Independent (UK) is running an interesting story on the embedding of microchips inside of trees in the Indian state of Kerala, in order to curb illegal logging of the precious and aromatic sandalwood tree.

Forestry officials will then be able to use a satellite to monitor the trees. Not only will any attempt to cut them down be detected – the Forest Department will be able to trace the movements of any smugglers who try to take timber out of the area. The trade in contraband sandalwood is one of the most lucrative in India. The “bandit king” Veerappan, wanted for more than 120 murders before he was gunned down by Indian police last month, may have started out poaching elephants for their ivory, but soon moved on to the much more profitable business of sandalwood.

I do think the enforcement of illegal logging laws are important, but I am sure there are better uses for this technology/resource in India.

5 thoughts on “Bugging Trees to Stop Logging

  1. Actually, timber trade is highly lucrative. Like they said: “The trade in contraband sandalwood is one of the most lucrative in India.”

    This is like drug trafficking, it feeds organized crime. One of the ways to but the kibosh on criminal groups is to starve them of revenue.

    Now, there might be better humanitarian uses of such resources, but it seems to me that this policy is driven by financial and security considerations, not some fuzzy environmentalism.

  2. To what other use would you put the technology? I’d never thought of this one you cite but it strikes me as extremely efficient and useful and I really can’t see any down-sides.

  3. It isn’t that I think the technology is inefficient, or being poorly implemented. But my thought is, for a country that lacks so much in basic infrastructure, there are better ways to implement money towards other, more crucial public works.

    But, the question then becomes, basic infrastructure vs. protection of environmental laws/financial security. The answer to that question will change depending on who you ask.

  4. Ah — but Sajit, how do you get money for basic infrastructure when organized crime is stealing and selling an important domestic asset?

    I mean, if there were diamond mines in India, and there were high tech measures being used to protect diamonds, you wouldn’t object, right?

    Well, these trees have alot of value. If they’re stolen that decreases the tax base, as well as feeding crime (which further damages the economy).

  5. Of course I am speaking in ignornace of India’s problems. But I’d suggest that one way to analyze the pronlem would be a simple economic analysis: how much does it cost to implement such a system versus what is the value of the protected trees? I would suspect that the chips are extremely cheap and can be “installed” simply by nailing them in. (I assume that this is the same system used by WalMart etc etc to keep track of inventory and so it is extremely cheap.) The satellite tracking might well be donated by NASA (or should be as part of US aid.)

    Anyway, it sounds to me like an ingenius and economical system. But it would be nice to see the numbers.