Roly Sedano identifying the anatomical characteristics of the wood with a magnifying glass during UNODC’s on-site training on wood identification.
“I have a jungle heart.”
In the centre of the Peruvian jungle, one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, Third Technical Sub-Officer Roly Sedano has dedicated over 16 years of his life to the service of the National Police of Peru.
Peru's Amazon rainforest is not only a biodiversity hotspot but also provides crucial benefits to the country, including regulating climate, preserving water resources, and offering medicinal plants that are vital to indigenous communities and the region. These services are essential for the country's environmental stability and economic well-being.
Yet Peru’s Amazonian Forest, which covers almost 60 per cent of its territory and sustains over 50 indigenous communities, faces a serious threat due to deforestation and illegal logging. This illicit activity has devastating economic, environmental, and social consequences, challenging legality, good governance, and sustainable development.
Aware of the danger facing the Amazon forests, Roly Sedano has specialized in identifying timber species, thanks to initiatives to combat forestry crimes implemented by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the National Police of Peru.
"You no longer see just a little animal or tree,” Roly says. “You recognize them at the species level and the impact on the ecosystem. It's the reality one lives day by day."
In 2020, Roly took on a new challenge by joining the decentralized Environmental Protection Unit in the Amazonian department of Madre de Dios. His previous experience in drug enforcement and his knowledge of the jungle made him an invaluable resource in the fight against environmental crimes in this region.
"Madre de Dios is a key region in the fight against environmental crimes, specifically regarding illegal the trafficking of timber products and illegal mining,” Roly says.
He believes that each day is an opportunity to defend the jungle he loves and protect it for future generations. His work involves not only confronting organized crime groups but also educating and raising awareness in his community about the importance of preserving the environment.
The crimes that affect the environment operating in the Amazon are often linked to organized crime groups that exploit natural resources illegally, leading to environmental destruction and social instability. Their activities contribute to deforestation, habitat loss, and biodiversity decline, posing significant challenges to sustainable development and governance in the region.
Justice operators from Puerto Maldonado who participated in field training sessions on wood identification conducted by the UNODC Environment Team.
In every workshop and operation, through continuous strengthening and updating of his knowledge, Roly demonstrates his commitment to justice and sustainability in the Amazon.
Implemented by UNODC with support from the Government of Germany and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the initiatives have enhanced the capacities of justice operators, strengthening their skills in identifying timber species and forest resource management.
Such management is critical in combating crimes that affect the environment, as it enables law enforcement to distinguish legal from illegal logging activities and implement effective conservation measures. Effective forest management helps maintain ecosystem integrity and supports sustainable livelihoods for local communities dependent on forest resources.
"What we learn in these workshops allows us to improve our daily work,” Roly says. “Now we can properly identify timber species and avoid shortcomings in our investigations."
What’s more, with each training session, the bond among guardians strengthens, creating a network of solidarity and shared knowledge that extends across the vast expanse of the jungle. This collaborative network strengthens enforcement efforts, promotes knowledge sharing, and enhances the capacity to protect the Amazon's natural treasures from exploitation and degradation.
Roly agrees. "It allows us to work more unified with other institutions and unite criteria to combat this crime that affects the environment."
With each training session, Roly and the police officers of the Environmental Directorate of the National Police of Peru are better prepared to protect the natural treasure that is the Amazon.
