The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) has appealed a High Court decision by Chief Justice Ian Chang which went against it and allows for Toolsie Persaud Limited (TPL) to continue its harvesting operation.

GFC noted its disapproval with the decision in a press release yesterday. The commission stated too, that TPL was allowed to amend its initial court application for an order of mandamus despite strenuous objections from it and was eventually granted an order nisi by the court.

The commission said further that it had issued a closure order on a state forest concession leased to TPL for verified and admitted breaches of procedure.

On Monday Justice Chang ordered the GFC to withdraw its closure notice directed to TPL and quashed its decision to close that company’s harvesting operation.

TPL had moved to the court on April 29, to stop the GFC from enforcing a stop order on its Timber Sales Agreement and from collecting a fine of over $80 million for alleged breaches in harvesting regulations and had obtained a temporary order.