Bogor, July 27, 2011. Today, a report with titled “Portrait of Indonesia Forest, 2000-2009” has been launched by Forest Watch Indonesia (FWI). The report provide an analysis of Indonesia forest cover in the period of 2000-2009 as well as the performance of management within the existing concessions, such as timber plantation, palm oil plantation and mining. Around 15.2 million hectares of forest in Indonesia has gone (deforested) with a rate of deforestation around 1.5 million hectares per year.
The report of Portrait of Indonesia Forests, in the period of 2000-2009 which has been launched, clearly describe that in 2009, the remaining forest left only 46.3% or 88 million hectares where 10.8 million is peat forests. The number of forest lost (deforestation) in Indonesia within period of 2000-2009 estimated around 15.2 million hectares and rate of deforestation 1.5 million hectares per year. While the rate of deforestation on peat forest up to 2 million hectares per year.
One of main drivers of deforestation is government regulation which inconsistent, conflicting of interest amongst Ministry of Forestry and other sectors, as well as the tension between central and local government. One among other controversial policies is the postponement of deadline concerning on acceleration of Industrial Timber Plantation target fulfillment, which has implication on deforestation.
The Executive Director of Forest Watch Indonesia, Wirendro Sumargo said, “The Government’s policies are often inconsistent, overlap, and unrealistic. Such situation has significant influence towards deforestation.”
The Forest Watch Indonesia’s Report also analyzing the acceleration of destruction of Indonesia Forest which mostly as an impact of the forestry (related) business sector’s performance. In general, it is a fact that the commitment of forest concessionaires towards sustainability principles is very low. Only one unit of forest concessionaire which categorized as “very good” based on Independent Assessor Agency’s assessment result. On the contrary, the Industrial Timber Plantation performance has improved, and this is an indication of effort to pursuit more natural forest to be converted, to increase timber production (from conversion) without any significant effort in realizing the planting activity. Similar argument, also happen in the hype of releasing and land lease of state forest area. The report also described the issues of potential deforestation that might happen because of mining activities. At least, there are 15 million hectares mining concessions within state forest in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Papua, while the existing land lease permit within state forest for mining activities only 205 million hectares.
“Deforestation is not only chopping down the trees in the state forest, but it is also about land use for plantation and mining. Improvement on forest governance and spatial planning will have crucial role in halting the lost of millions hectares of Indonesia’s forest” said Wirendro Sumargo
Editor’s notes:
1. Forest Watch Indonesia (FWI) is a network of independent forest monitoring which consist of individual and organizations that have commitment to realize a transparent forest data and information management which can ensure a just and sustainable forest resources management.
2. “Portrait of Indonesia Forests in 2000-2009 period” is a continuation from the previous “State of the Forest Report” / “Portrait of Indonesia Forest” which provide Information on Indonesia’s Forest and its condition.
3. Forest Watch Indonesia Fact sheet, 2008. Threat of Deforestation and Destruction of Peat lands in the Development of Palm Oil Plantation in Central Kalimantan.” See the website: www.fwi.or.id in the publication part.
Further information, please contact:
Wirendro Sumargo
Executive Director
Forest Watch Indonesia
Mobile: +628111111934
Email : rendro@fwi.or.id
Soelthon G. Nanggara
Researcher
Forest Watch Indonesia
Mobile: 6285649638037
Email : sulton@fwi.or.id
Sekretariat Forest Watch Indonesia, Jl. Sempur Kaler No. 62, Bogor. Telp: +62 251 8333308, Fax: +62 251 8317926
Email: fwi@indo.net.id
Website: www.fwi.or.id
