In 2002, Brokopondo Watra Wood International N.V. (BWWI) was given permission by Suralco to a start a pilot investigating the possibility to harvest the remaining trees from the lake. The idea came from the late Paramaribo entrepreneur Orlando Lee On, who read about similar harvesting efforts in the Tucuruí Lake in Brazil when on a plane to Miami. In 2004 harvesting began, which resulted in the first shipment of wood from the lake to Europe and the United States in June 2005.
In 2002, Brokopondo Watra Wood International N.V. (BWWI) was granted permission by Suralco to initiate a trial project examining the feasibility of harvesting the remaining trees from the lake. The concept originated with late Paramaribo businessman Orlando Lee On, who learned about similar reforestation efforts in the Tucuruí Lake in Brazil during a flight to Miami. In 2004, logging commenced, resulting in the first shipment of wood from the lake to Europe and the United States in June 2005.