Forestry correction<\/p>\n
The May 18 article in The Jakarta Post, Tree DNA marker may
\ncurb illegal logging, addressed a number of issues discussed at
\nthe Indonesia-Italy Workshop on Wood research and Industrial
\nNeeds for the Forestry Wood.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, in doing so the article made several basic
\nerrors and failed to present my views within their larger
\ncontext. For starters, I am not a DNA expert as stated in the
\narticle. I am an economist working with the Center for
\nInternational Forestry Research (CIFOR) in Bogor, a non-partisan
\nand non-political international research organization that aims
\nto develop sustainable forest management and reduce poverty.
\nLet me say at the outset, the government has clearly stated its
\ncommitment to curbing illegal logging. Two of its five stated
\npriorities are to reduce illegal logging and to restructure the
\ntimber industry. It is also showing support for a range of forest
\nlaw enforcement activities in cooperation with Asian and European
\ncountries. And both the President and the Minister of Forestry
\nhave made several statements supporting efforts to reduce illegal
\nlogging.<\/p>\n
My comments were suggestions the government may wish to
\nconsider in reducing illegal logging. The simple fact is far more
\ntimber is being exported or consumed locally than is allowed
\nunder the Ministry of Forestry's allowable cut.<\/p>\n
Contrary to the focus of many reports, the largest share of
\nillegal timber exports is in the form of finished products
\nleaving the country legally, not the illegal export of logs. Even
\nif the export of illegal logs was stopped, more than 80 percent
\nof illegal logging would continue. The main users of logs are the
\npulp and paper industry and the plywood industry. That is
\nwhy the Ministry's emphasis on restructuring the industry needs
\nto be implemented. The government is undertaking several
\ncommendable initiatives on illegal logging. Increased reports
\nconcerning the initiatives themselves and their impacts would be
\nuseful. It would increase transparency in the forestry sector and
\nwould therefore reduce the likelihood of government policies
\nbeing misunderstood.<\/p>\n
LUCA TACCONI
\nCIFOR
\nBogor, West Java<\/p>\n
Note: Thank you for your correction. We regret that your views
\nwere not accurately represented.<\/p>\n
--Editor<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/forestry-correction-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }