The Town Clerk of Yei County on Tuesday banned cutting down of teak trees for timbers to avoid desertification.
Azariah Khamis Noah says anyone found cutting trees within the town will be punished, Radio Easter reports.
The Clerk notes that trees are cut down in Tarawa, Mission and Ghabat residential areas.
He orders police, security and chiefs to arrest anyone cutting down trees, confiscate cutting machines and follow legal procedures.
Khamis urges citizens to cooperate with the Local Government for the development of Yei.