New research project offers glimmer of hope for forests
New research project offers glimmer of hope for forests
Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia's endangered forests received some good news on Monday,
as the Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI) and the Center for
International Forestry Research (Cifor) agreed to work together
on an intensive research project that will show evidence of the
value of keeping the forests intact.
Cifor's director David Kaimowitz said the collaborative effort
would focus on identifying key forestry problems and determining
the research activities needed in order to address the problems.
"It's also very important to show the value of the forest to
convince people in Indonesia of the need to preserve the forests;
the species, animals and plants that exist, and how they can be
used for medicines, agriculture and new chemical products,"
Kaimowitz said after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with
LIPI here on Monday.
The cooperation between the U.S.-based group and their new
local partner will include exchange of scientific information and
materials, visits by scientists and other experts, as well as
planning and implementing cooperative research activities
designed to produce new information and new or improved
technologies.
One of the main problems haunting Indonesia's forests,
Kaimowitz said, had long been illegal logging as a result of the
imbalance between the world's demand for logs and Indonesia's log
processing capacity.
"We need to find a way to close that gap by reducing
industrial capacity and by increasing the supply of timber
plantations and by reforestation of timber so the supply for
timber is equal to the demand," he told The Jakarta Post.
Indonesia has been witnessing a speedier deforestation rate
mostly due to illegal logging, with total financial losses
estimated at Rp 355.8 billion (US$41.76 million) for 2002 and
2003. The forest depletion rate in the country stands at around
3.8 million hectares per year.
Kaimowitz expressed hope that if there is more advanced
research and development in Indonesia, there will be more uses
for forestry products to support new industries, such as
pharmaceutical and chemical sectors, and to produce new crop
varieties.
LIPI's chairman Umar Anggara Jenie agreed.
"The forest is essential for the livelihood of many people,
the continuation of the delicate ecosystem and to slow down the
greenhouse effect," said Umar.
The collaboration will also examine human issues that affect
the forests, like local conflicts, migration and some of the
changes in Indonesian society, which are affecting the forests.
Kaimowitz said he was optimistic about the government's plan
to issue a regulation in lieu of law in a bid to stamp out the
rampant practices of illegal logging.
"It needs to be solved by a combination of efforts by the
Ministry of Forestry, the district governments, the armed forces,
the police and the judicial system. It's not easy to bring these
institutions together, but I hope that it succeeds," he said.
Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia's endangered forests received some good news on Monday,
as the Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI) and the Center for
International Forestry Research (Cifor) agreed to work together
on an intensive research project that will show evidence of the
value of keeping the forests intact.
Cifor's director David Kaimowitz said the collaborative effort
would focus on identifying key forestry problems and determining
the research activities needed in order to address the problems.
"It's also very important to show the value of the forest to
convince people in Indonesia of the need to preserve the forests;
the species, animals and plants that exist, and how they can be
used for medicines, agriculture and new chemical products,"
Kaimowitz said after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with
LIPI here on Monday.
The cooperation between the U.S.-based group and their new
local partner will include exchange of scientific information and
materials, visits by scientists and other experts, as well as
planning and implementing cooperative research activities
designed to produce new information and new or improved
technologies.
One of the main problems haunting Indonesia's forests,
Kaimowitz said, had long been illegal logging as a result of the
imbalance between the world's demand for logs and Indonesia's log
processing capacity.
"We need to find a way to close that gap by reducing
industrial capacity and by increasing the supply of timber
plantations and by reforestation of timber so the supply for
timber is equal to the demand," he told The Jakarta Post.
Indonesia has been witnessing a speedier deforestation rate
mostly due to illegal logging, with total financial losses
estimated at Rp 355.8 billion (US$41.76 million) for 2002 and
2003. The forest depletion rate in the country stands at around
3.8 million hectares per year.
Kaimowitz expressed hope that if there is more advanced
research and development in Indonesia, there will be more uses
for forestry products to support new industries, such as
pharmaceutical and chemical sectors, and to produce new crop
varieties.
LIPI's chairman Umar Anggara Jenie agreed.
"The forest is essential for the livelihood of many people,
the continuation of the delicate ecosystem and to slow down the
greenhouse effect," said Umar.
The collaboration will also examine human issues that affect
the forests, like local conflicts, migration and some of the
changes in Indonesian society, which are affecting the forests.
Kaimowitz said he was optimistic about the government's plan
to issue a regulation in lieu of law in a bid to stamp out the
rampant practices of illegal logging.
"It needs to be solved by a combination of efforts by the
Ministry of Forestry, the district governments, the armed forces,
the police and the judicial system. It's not easy to bring these
institutions together, but I hope that it succeeds," he said.