Walhi calls for logging moratorium

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi) called on the government to impose a suspension of all industrial logging as part of its commitment to changes policies in the forestry sector and save the country's diminishing forests.

Walhi executive Longgena Ginting said on Friday the situation had reached a critical stage with illegal logging, fires and the industrial logging expected to consume a majority of the forest area within the next decade.

"Each day, some 600 hectares of forest are cleared by logging alone. According to data from the World Resource Institute, only 28 percent, or 40 million hectares, of our forest preserve was left in 1997," Longgena told visitors at the 2001 Environment Expo.

"If the government doesn't impose the moratorium now, I would call it a national suicide," he said.

The forum proposed a gradual moratorium over a two to three year period, with the first phase being a stop in the issuance of new licenses as well as the extension of existing logging licenses. A ban on log exports should also be imposed.

The next step would be to terminate forest concessions of troubled companies, especially companies riddled with debts.

"In the six-month period of this second phase, only efficient and honest companies would survive," Longgena added.

He pointed out however that in the immediate months after the moratorium the government should also examine the social impact as a result of possible layoffs in the some 128 logging companies which would shut down.

This phase would serve as a "breathing space" to rehabilitate the most threatened forests in Sumatra and Sulawesi, and for the government to develop a sustainable national forest policy.

The final phase should see the government place a moratorium on all commercial logging activities in natural forests with logging activities only permitted in plantation areas.

"Such a short-term moratorium can also help correct price distortions of wood products at home, which has currently contributed to rampant illegal logging and timber smuggling," he said.

"There will be protests and unrest among businessmen and workers, but this is the most effective way to sustain our forests."

The discussion held by the forum is part of the 2001 Environment Expo which began on Thursday. Other topics discussed during the four-day exhibition include the water crisis and the use of unleaded fuel.(bby)