The Burmese government has announced a policy that will stop the export of raw timber starting next April.

Environmentalists say the decision could save Burma's forests.

Burma is one of the world's major exporters of teak, but over production and illegal logging has reduced the country's forests from nearly 60 percent in the 1960s to below 20 percent today.

The government says it will focus on exporting high-quality finished wood products, but those in the timber business could face losing their livelihoods.