Reduced-impact logging technique developed<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A reduced-impact logging technique is currently
\nbeing developed to limit the damage caused by incorrect logging
\npractices, an official says.<\/p>\n
Head of the Ministry of Forestry's Research and Development
\nAgency, Toga Silitonga, said here yesterday that the technique,
\nwhich aims to minimize logging waste and environmental
\ndestruction, is being developed by the agency in collaboration
\nwith CIRAD-Foret of France.<\/p>\n
\"Incorrect logging practices are the cause of up to 35 percent
\nof the forest destruction in Indonesia,\" Silitonga said after
\nopening a workshop on the results of a research conducted in the
\nDipterocarp forests of Berau, East Kalimantan.<\/p>\n
The research, known as the STREK Project or the Sylvicultural
\nTechnique for the Regeneration of Logged-over Forest in East
\nKalimantan, started in 1989 and is scheduled to be completed in
\nSeptember.<\/p>\n
The project includes the development of a reduced-impact
\nlogging technique and the inventory of biodiversity in Berau,
\nwhich will be an essential data base for sustainable management
\npractices in that region.<\/p>\n
Silitonga said yesterday that selective cutting and planting,
\ncan reduce the negative impact of clear-cutting by at least 8
\npercent.<\/p>\n
Reduced-impact logging is expected to reduce the impact even
\nfurther.<\/p>\n
The government said earlier this year that Indonesia's forests
\nare shrinking at a rate of 809,000 hectares a year with the land
\nbeing used for transmigration, agriculture and plantation
\nprojects.<\/p>\n
The government claims that Indonesia presently has 144 million
\nhectares of forest, of which 21 percent are designated as
\nprotection forests (for water and soil protection); 13 percent as
\nnature reserves and national parks (for nature preservation); 22
\npercent as limited production forests; 23 percent as regular
\nproduction forests; and 21 percent as convertible forests.<\/p>\n
The government classifies protection forests, nature reserves
\nand national parks as protected areas, off limits to felling.
\n(pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/reduced-impact-logging-technique-developed-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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