PRESS RELEASE
Indonesian Ecolabel Institute Must Stop Issuing Sustainable Forest Management Certificates to Unsustainable Industrial Timber Estates
Jakarta, 10 February 2009: The Indonesian Ecolabel Institute must stop issuing sustainable forest management certificates to industrial timber estates that convert natural forest or drain peatland ecosystems, national environmental groups Telapak and Forest Watch Indonesia demanded today.
The Indonesian Ecolabel Institute (LEI), which has just concluded its second congress, has issued sustainability certificates to two companies in Sumatra, despite the fact that both companies converted natural forests and some of their concessions are on peat ecosystems.
The companies are Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper, a subsidiary of Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Ltd., and Wira Karya Sakti, a subsidiary of Asia Pulp and Paper, which is a member of the Sinar Mas Group.
Wirendro Sumargo, Executive Director of Forest Watch Indonesia said, “ LEI’s certification only looks at how the timber estates are managed once operational, without considering the significant ecological impacts of forest conversion, especially in peat ecosystems. These industrial timber estates are built by converting natural forests into monocultured plantations, which is clearly against the principles of sustainable forest management.”
The government has several criteria for timber estate development that stipulate they must be on barren land or land without forest cover. In reality, many timber estates have been established on logged-over areas in productive forests and even in virgin forests.
“Establishing industrial timber estates on natural forest and peat ecosystems means ignoring the risks of deforestation, forest fires, social conflicts and climate change. Such certification must be halted until there is a guarantee that industrial timber estates will not be allocated on productive natural forest and peat ecosystems”, said Wirendro.
In 2008, the government issued 18 new industrial timber estate licenses. One such permit was issued to PT Semesta Inti Selaras, a subsidiary of the Medco Group, which plans to convert a quarter of a million hectares of forests in Papua. Telapak says a large proportion of the forest is still in good condition.
Husnaeni Nugroho, Telapak forest campaigner added, “Industrial Timber Estate certification like the ones in Sumatera are a misleading eco-label. LEI must stop this scheme or the forests in Papua will suffer from great risks associated with forest conversion.”
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For More Information:
Wirendro Sumargo, +62-815 9280 585, rendro@fwi.or.id
Husnaeni Nugroho, +62-813 2884 1307, unang@telapak.org
Notes to the Editor:
1. Forest Watch Indonesia is an independent network of individuals and organisations committed to achieving transparent forest information that contributes to just and sustainable forest management in Indonesia.
2. Telapak is a member-based environmental organisation based in Bogor, Java.
3. The second congress of the Indonesian Ecolable Institute was held on 7-8 February 2009 in Bogor and attended by all of its constituents from various stakeholders. Justice and Sustainable Natural Resource Management was a central theme in this four-yearly event.
4. Forest Watch Indonesia analysed forest cover change in Riau and Jambi Provinces from 1989-2006. The provinces lost 3.1 million hectares and 1.1 million hectares of forests respectively. PT. RAPP and PT. WKS’s concession areas lost 176 thousand hectares and 75 thousand hectares of forest respectively, including 71 thousand and 17 thousand hectares of peat lands.
5. Natural forest and peat ecosystems are distinctive areas with rich biodiversityvital for the livelihoods of indigenous and local peoples. Peat ecosystems also stores a huge amount of carbon.
6. PT.Selaras Inti Semesta is an Industrial Timber Estate covering 259.000 hectares of land in Muting District, Kurik, Kaptel and Anim Ha in Merauke, Papua. An analisis of Environmental Impact Management data of this company reveals that 124.456 hectares (44%) of the concession area is good natural forest and only 84.247 hectares (33%) of its area are not forested.
