Walhi calls for logging moratorium

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)