Last month, the Nicaraguan government introduced a variety of measures related to the cutting and transportation of wood within the country, some of which have already affected the country’s cigar industry. The restrictions were introduced alongside others to help deal with the country’s current drought. Some estimate the country has lost as much as 60 percent of its surface water and 50 percent of its underground water supply. The two main causes since 2014 have been El Niño—Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the unique weather phenomenon that can cause both floods and drought—and deforestation. Nicaraguan has banned the cutting and transporting of any tree produced naturally, i.e. those in forests and jungles. The ban currently no longer applies to tree farmers, those who specifically grow wood for harvesting, although when it was first introduced in mid-April those producers were also banned from cutting wood. This is hardly the first time Nicaragua has implemented such measures and the country also has other restrictions, including a ban on cutting any royal cedar or mahogany, that have carried over from previous efforts. Nicaragua has banned wood production due to other droughts, fires, deforestation concerns and other environmental-related issues over the years. The country has also implemented ...
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