Walhi calls for logging moratorium<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi)
\ncalled on the government to impose a suspension of all industrial
\nlogging as part of its commitment to changes policies in the
\nforestry sector and save the country's diminishing forests.<\/p>\n
Walhi executive Longgena Ginting said on Friday the situation
\nhad reached a critical stage with illegal logging, fires and the
\nindustrial logging expected to consume a majority of the forest
\narea within the next decade.<\/p>\n
\"Each day, some 600 hectares of forest are cleared by logging
\nalone. According to data from the World Resource Institute, only
\n28 percent, or 40 million hectares, of our forest preserve was
\nleft in 1997,\" Longgena told visitors at the 2001 Environment
\nExpo.<\/p>\n
\"If the government doesn't impose the moratorium now, I would
\ncall it a national suicide,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The forum proposed a gradual moratorium over a two to three
\nyear period, with the first phase being a stop in the issuance of
\nnew licenses as well as the extension of existing logging
\nlicenses. A ban on log exports should also be imposed.<\/p>\n
The next step would be to terminate forest concessions of
\ntroubled companies, especially companies riddled with debts.<\/p>\n
\"In the six-month period of this second phase, only efficient
\nand honest companies would survive,\" Longgena added.<\/p>\n
He pointed out however that in the immediate months after the
\nmoratorium the government should also examine the social impact
\nas a result of possible layoffs in the some 128 logging companies
\nwhich would shut down.<\/p>\n
This phase would serve as a \"breathing space\" to rehabilitate
\nthe most threatened forests in Sumatra and Sulawesi, and for the
\ngovernment to develop a sustainable national forest policy.<\/p>\n
The final phase should see the government place a moratorium
\non all commercial logging activities in natural forests with
\nlogging activities only permitted in plantation areas.<\/p>\n
\"Such a short-term moratorium can also help correct price
\ndistortions of wood products at home, which has currently
\ncontributed to rampant illegal logging and timber smuggling,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"There will be protests and unrest among businessmen and
\nworkers, but this is the most effective way to sustain our
\nforests.\"<\/p>\n
The discussion held by the forum is part of the 2001
\nEnvironment Expo which began on Thursday. Other topics discussed
\nduring the four-day exhibition include the water crisis and the
\nuse of unleaded fuel.(bby)<\/p>",
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