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.