sustainable management of tropical forests private sector

Transcription

SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF TROPICAL FORESTS
PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERIENCES
Case Studies Presentation
Editors
B.C.Y. Freezailah,
H. Mohd Basri,
M. I. Shaharuddin,
C. C. Chandrasekharan,
S. E. Wilson and
I. Tomaselli
VOLUME 1
VOLUME 1
Jointly sponsored by
Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia
& International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO)
Proceedings of the International Conference
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
13-15 April 2004
VOLUME I
Editors
B. C. Y. Freezailah,
H. Mohd Basri,
M. I. Shaharuddin,
C. C. Chandrasekharan,
S. E. Wilson and
I. Tomaselli
Jointly organised and sponsored by
& International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO)
© Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia
September 2004
All enquiries regarding this book should be forwarded to:
Director General of Forestry
Forestry Department Headquarters
Peninsular Malaysia
Jalan Sultan Salahuddin
50660 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel
Fax
Website
: 603 2698 8244
: 603 2692 5657
: www.forestry.gov.my
Perpustakaan Malaysia Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
International Conference (2004: Kuala Lumpur)
Sustainable management of tropical forest: private sector
Experiences : proceedings of the International Conference,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 13-15 April 2004; jointly organized
and sponsored by Forest Department Peninsular Malaysia &
International Tropical Timber Organization.
ISBN 983-9269-30-5 (v.I)
I. Sustainable Forestry—Congresses. 2.Forest management-Congresses. 3. Forest and Forestry—Congresses. I. Malaysia.
Jabatan Perhutanan. II. International Tropical Timber Organization.
III. Title.
634.9068
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any means, whether mechanical or electronic including photocopying
and recording without the written consent of Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia
CONTENTS
CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .V
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xiv
KEYNOTE
SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF TROPICAL FORESTS. PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERIENCE:
CONGO BASIN EXAMPLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
By Dr. H. L. Stoll
CONGO BASIN EXAMPLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
By Dr. H. L. Stoll and Sr. J-J. Landrot
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
THE AFRICAN RESOURCE AS A WHOLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
AREAS UNDER MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
FOREST MANAGEMENT: AN ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL REVOLUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
ECO-CERTIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
ANOTHER INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT: GOVERNANCE
AND LEGALITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
CONCLUSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
LA ORDENACIÓN SOSTENIBLE DE LOS BOSQUES TROPICALES. EXPERIENCIAS
DEL SECTOR PRIVADO: EL EJEMPLO DE LA CUENCA DEL CONGO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Por el Dr. H. L. Stoll y el Sr. J-J Landrot
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
LOS RECURSOS AFRICANOS EN GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
LAS SUPERFICIES MANEJADAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
LA ORDENACIÓN FORESTAL: UNA REVOLUCIÓN ECONÓMICA Y CULTURAL . . . . . . . . . .16
LA ECO-CERTIFICACIÓN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
OTRA CRECIENTE EXIGENCIA: LA GOBERNANZA Y LA LEGALIDAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
CONCLUSIÓN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
LA ORDENACIÓN SOSTENIBLE DE LOS BOSQUES TROPICALES.
EXPERIENCIAS DEL SECTOR PRIVADO: EL EJEMPLO DE LA CUENCA DEL CONGO . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Por el Dr. H. L. Stoll y el Sr. J-J Landrot
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
LOS RECURSOS AFRICANOS EN GENERAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
LAS SUPERFICIES MANEJADAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
LA ORDENACIÓN FORESTAL: UNA REVOLUCIÓN ECONÓMICA Y CULTURAL . . . . . . . . . .27
LA ECO-CERTIFICACIÓN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
OTRA CRECIENTE EXIGENCIA: LA GOBERNANZA Y LA LEGALIDAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
CONCLUSIÓN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
v
SESSION 1 – AFRICA
Chairman: M. Esano
EXPERIENCE DE LA CONGOLAISE INDUSTRIELLE DES BOIS (CIB) EN MATIERE DE GESTION
DURABLE DES FORETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Y. Dubois and D. Paget
SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
RESUME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
RESUMEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
1.0 CONTEXTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
2.0 LA GESTION FORESTIÈRE PERMET UN BÉNÉFICE POUR TOUTE
LA POPULATION PAR LE RESPECT D’UNE FISCALITÉ FORESTIÈRE ÉQUILIBRÉE . . . . . .42
3.0 LA GESTION FORESTIÈRE RESPONSABLE DE LA CIB EXIGE L’ÉLABORATION
DE PLANS D’AMÉNAGEMENT DE CHACUNE DE SES CONCESSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
4.0 PAR CES PLANS, LA CIB S’ENGAGE À EXPLOITER LA FORÊT « DURABLEMENT » . . . . .43
5.0 POUR METTRE EN ŒUVRE CETTE NOUVELLE POLITIQUE, LA CIB S’ASSOCIE À DES
PARTENAIRES, TOUTES LES « PARTIES PRENANTES » . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
6.0 LA CIB ÉLABORE DES PLANS D’AMÉNAGEMENT POUR SES CONCESSIONS
EN VISANT LA CONSERVATION DE L’ENVIRONNEMENT ET LE DÉVELOPPEMENT SOCIAL
ET ÉCONOMIQUE DU PAYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
7.0 PRESENTATION DE LA CIB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
8.0 INVENTAIRE D’AMENAGEMENT OU INVENTAIRE STATISTIQUE DES RESSOURCES . . . . . .
FORESTIERES DES UNITES FORESTIERES D’AMENAGEMENT (UFA) ATTRIBUEES
A LA CIB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
9.0 MÉTHODE D’INVENTAIRE D’AMÉNAGEMENT FORESTIER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
10.0 EXPERIENCE DE LA CONGOLAISE INDUSTRIELLE DE BOIS EN MATIERE
DE GESTION ET PROTECTION DE LA FAUNE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
11.0 MESURES D’EXPLOITATION FORESTIERE A IMPACT REDUIT (EFIR) MISES
EN ŒUVRE A LA CIB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
12.0 ACTIONS PROGRAMMÉES EN 2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
13.0 LES ACTIONS SOCIALES ET ECONOMIQUES DU PLAN D’AMENAGEMENT DE LA CIB . .57
14.0 LES ENGAGEMENTS DE LA CIB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
15.0 CONCLUSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
16.0 BIBLIOGRAPHIE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
THE MANAGEMENT OF PLANTATION FORESTS: THE CASE OF OFFICE
DE DEVELOPPEMENT ET D’EXPLOITATION DES FORETS (ODEF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
A-A. Ayih
SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
RESUME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
RESUMEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
1.0 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
2.0 PROFIL DE LA COMPAGNIE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
3.0 LES AMENAGEMENTS FORESTIERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
4.0 FACTEURS FAVORISANT L’AMENAGEMENT FORESTIER DURABLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
5.0 FACTEURS DEFAVORABLES A L’AMENAGEMENT FORESTIER DURABLE . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
6.0 CONCLUSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
vi
A FOREST CONCESSION MANAGED ON A SUSTAINABLE BASIS BY AN INDUSTRIAL COMPANY:
THE CASE OF ROUGIER GABON IN HAUT-ABANGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
N. Bayol
SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
RESUME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
RESUMEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
1.0 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
2.0 DESCRIPTION DE L’ENTREPRISE ET DE LA CFAD: LES ELEMENTS CLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
3.0 LES POINTS FORTS DE LA GESTION DURABLE DE LA CFAD DU HAUT-ABANGA
(« CORE STRENGTHS VIS-À-VIS SFM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
4.0 UN PLAN D’AMÉNAGEMENT COMPLET BASÉ SUR UNE SOLIDE ANALYSE DE
L’ENVIRONNEMENT SUR LA CFAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
5.0 RESTRICTIONS D’EXPLOITATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
6.0 ABATTAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
7.0 DÉBARDAGE ET DÉBUSCAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
8.0 LIMITATION DES PERTES DE BOIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
9.0 LIMITATION DES POLLUTIONS CHIMIQUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
10.0 ROUTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
11.0 MESURES DE SUIVI CONTRÔLE DE L’EXPLOITATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
12.0 DES ACTIONS NOUVELLES DE CONSERVATION DES MILIEUX ET DE LA FAUNE . . . . . . .85
13.0 UNE MEILLEURE PRISE EN COMPTE DES BESOINS SOCIAUX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
14.0 UN SOUCI CONSTANT DE SE METTRE EN CONFORMITÉ AVEC LES STANDARDS
INTERNATIONAUX ET NOTAMMENT CEUX DE L’OAB/OIBT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
15.0 LES ENSEIGNEMENTS TIRÉS DE L’EXPÉRIENCE ROUGIER GABON SUR LA CFAD
DU HAUT-ABANGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
16.0 REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
SAMARTEX TIMBER & PLYWOOD LTD. GHANA’S FIRST COMPANY GOING FOR CERTIFICATION .91
A. Brede
SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
RESUME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
RESUMEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
1.0 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
2.0 COMPANY BACKGOUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
3.0 TIMBER HARVESTING AND PROCESSING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
4.0 FOREST MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
5.0 DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL ISSUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
6.0 CONSTRAINTS, CONCLUSIONS AND OUTLOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
SUMMARY BY SESSION CHAIRMAN, M. ESANO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
SOMMAIRE DU PRÉSIDENT DE LA SÉANCE PAR M. ESANO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
RESUMEN DEL PRESIDENTE DE LA SESIÓN POR M. ESANO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
vii
SESSION 2 – ASIA-PACIFIC
Chairman: R. B. McCarthy
CASE STUDY ON SAMLING PLYWOOD (BRAMAS) SDN. BHD., MALAYSIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
S. K. Chan
SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
RESUME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
RESUMEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
1.0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
2.0 TIMBER LICENSE REGULATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
3.0 FOREST TYPES AND THE SITE FACTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
4.0 DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIO-CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
5.0 SYSTEM OF FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
6.0 LOGGING OPERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
7.0 POST-HARVEST INSPECTION AND CLOSURE OF LOGGING BLOCKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
8.0 SILVICULTURAL OPERATIONS IN LOGGED-OVER AREAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
9.0 FOREST FIRE MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
10.0 WOOD UTILISATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
11.0 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
12.0 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
13.0 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
14.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRIBUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
15.0 RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
16.0 INITIATIVES FOR OBTAINING CERTIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
17.0 GOVERNMENT CAPABILITY TO ENFORCE SFM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
18.0 CONSTRAINTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
19.0 SUCCESS CRITERIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
TECHNOLOGICAL REFINEMENTS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT ARE CRUCIAL FOR
SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT: THE CASE OF PT. SARI BUMI KUSUMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
N. Suparna
SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
RESUME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
RESUMEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135
1.0 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
2.0 THE CONCESSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
3.0 THE FOREST RESOURCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
4.0 FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
5.0 SYSTEM OF MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
6.0 HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT (HRD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
7.0 INSTITUTIONAL ASPECT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
8.0 SOCIAL ASPECT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
9.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
10.0 R & D ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
11.0 CERTIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
12.0 CONCLUSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
13.0 LITERATURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153
viii
SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT – AGAINST ALL ODDS:
THE CASE OF PACIFIC TIMBER EXPORT CORPORATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
F. A. Lu
SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
RESUME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
RESUMEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157
1.0 BACKGROUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
2.0 COMPANY PROFILE AND STRUCTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
3.0 DETAILS OF THE CONCESSION AREA – TLA 131-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
4.0 FOREST RESOURCE BASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
5.0 PATECO’S FOREST MANAGEMENT HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164
6.0 MANAGEMENT PLANNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165
7.0 ANNUAL LOGGING PLAN & PRE-LOGGING REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
8.0 ANNUAL ALLOWABLE CUT VS. PERMISSIBLE CUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
9.0 POST HARVEST OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
10.0 FOREST PROTECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170
11.0 CONTROL OF FOREST PEST AND DISEASES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
12.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
13.0 PATECO’S ECONOMIC, SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRIBUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
14.0 COMMUNITY SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
15.0 CAPACITY OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO ENFORCE SFM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
16.0 FUTURE PLANS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
17.0 SUCCESS CRITERIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
18.0 CONCLUSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
19.0 REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
TIMBER PRODUCTION PROMOTES REGIONAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN REMOTE
REGIONS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA: THE CASE OF VANIMO FOREST PRODUCTS PTY. LTD. . . . . .177
P. Tiong
SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
RESUME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
RESUMEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
1.0 BACKGROUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
2.0 COMPANY OBJECTIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
3.0 FOREST AND LOCALITY FACTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
4.0 FOREST MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND PROCESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186
5.0 BENEFITS GENERATED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
6.0 STAFFING AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196
7.0 SUPPORT TO SOCIAL/RURAL DEVELOPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196
8.0 INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196
9.0 LAND-USE DEVELOPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197
10.0 SCHOLARSHIPS AND HIGHER EDUCATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197
11.0 SOCIAL AMENITIES AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
12.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
13.0 FUTURE PROGRAMMES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
14.0 SUCCESS CRITERIA AND CONSTRAINTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200
15.0 CONCLUSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202
16.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202
ix
PRODUCERS’ CO-OPERATIVES ENSURE BETTER MANAGEMENT OF AND ENHANCED INCOME
FROM, NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCTS AND EMPOWER THE COMMUNITY:
THE CASE OF MADHYA PRADASH STATE MINOR FOREST PRODUCE
(TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT) CO-OPERATIVE FEDERATION LTD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203
R. Prasad
SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203
RESUME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
RESUMEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
1.0 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208
2.0 SPATIAL SCOPE OF THE CASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208
3.0 ECONOMIC INDICATORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208
4.0 LOCALITY FACTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
5.0 FOREST RESOURCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
6.0 FORESTS IN VILLAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
7.0 STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF FORESTRY IN MADHYA PRADESH . . . . . . . . . . . . .210
8.0 JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210
9.0 PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210
10.0 NEGLECT OF NWFPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
11.0 NATIONALISATION OF TENDU LEAVES COLLECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
12.0 MADHYA PRADESH INITIATIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
13.0 MP-MFP (TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT) CO-OPERATIVE FEDERATION LTD. . . . . . . . . . .212
14.0 CONCLUSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229
15.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229
16.0 REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229
CLONAL PULPWOOD TREE FARMS CHANGE THE RURAL LANDSCAPE IN ANDHRA PRADESH:
A CASE STUDY ON OUTGROWER FARMS OF CLONAL TREES OF ITC LTD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
S. N. Rao
SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
RESUME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .232
RESUMEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233
1.0 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236
2.0 BACKGROUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236
3.0 SITUATION OF FORESTRY IN ANDHRA PRADESH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237
4.0 FOREST-BASED INDUSTRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238
5.0 PROMOTION OF OUTGROWER TREE FARMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238
6.0 OUTREACH TO THE FARMERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
7.0 IMPROVED SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244
8.0 GROWTH AND YIELDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
9.0 CUTTING CYCLE AND YIELD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246
10.0 HARVESTING AND COPPICING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246
11.0 PULPWOOD PROCUREMENT ARRANGEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
12.0 PRICE PAID FOR PULPWOOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
13.0 COST-BENEFIT COMPARISONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248
14.0 BENEFITS OF CLONAL EUCALYPTUS TREE FARMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248
15.0 RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
16.0 EXTENSION ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250
17.0 PLANS FOR THE FUTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251
x
19.0 CONCLUSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252
20.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252
SUMMARY BY SESSION CHAIRMAN, R. B. MCCARTHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253
SOMMAIRE DU PRÉSIDENT DE LA SÉANCE PAR R. B. McCARTHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254
RESUMEN DEL PRESIDENTE DE LA SESIÓN POR R. B. MCCARTHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
SESSION 3 – LATIN AMERICA-CARIBBEAN
Chairman: F. Pastore
IMPACTS OF SFM ADOPTION AT THE FOREST AND THE MILL: THE CASE OF LA CHONTA . . . . . .259
P. Antelo and M. Tuoto
SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .259
RESUME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260
RESUMEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262
2.0 SFM ADOPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262
3.0 WOOD PROCESSING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262
4.0 MARKET ISSUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263
5.0 FINANCIAL IMPACTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263
6.0 GENERAL ASSESSMENT ON STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263
SFM AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS: THE CASE OF GUAVIRÁ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265
J. Baldasso and M. Tuoto
SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265
RESUME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266
RESUMEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .267
2.0 SFM ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269
3.0 INDUSTRIAL EVOLUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270
4.0 MARKET ISSUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .272
SFM IN ORSA FLORESTAL: THE CASE OF ORSA FLORESTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275
R. S. Waack, R. F. Tocci, A. L. Pironel and E. L. Reckziegel
SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275
RESUME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276
RESUMEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277
1.0 THE JARI VALLEY REGION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279
2.0 JARI PROJECT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279
3.0 ORSA FLORESTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279
4.0 THE SFM PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280
6.0 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .282
7.0 ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283
8.0 GENERAL ASSESSMENT ON STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284
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THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PARTNERSHIPS IN ORDER TO FACILITATE SFM IMPLEMENTATION:
THE CASE OF CIKEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .287
M. Tuoto
SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .287
RESUME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288
RESUMEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289
2.0 SFM DEVELOPMENT IN CIKEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .290
3.0 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SFM PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291
4.0 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF THE REGION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292
5.0 CIKEL COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292
6.0 CONSIDERING THE INTERNATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF SFM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293
SUMMARY BY SESSION CHAIRMAN, F. PASTORE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .297
SOMMAIRE DU PRÉSIDENT DE LA SÉANCE PAR F. PASTORE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .298
RESUMEN DEL PRESIDENTE DE LA SESIÓN POR F. PASTORE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .299
SESSION IV – PANEL DISCUSSION
Chairman: Dato’ Dr. B. C. Y. Freezailah
CONCLUDING REMARKS BY SESSION CHAIRMAN DATO’ DR. B. C. Y. FREEZAILAH . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303
ALLOCUTION DE CLÔTURE DU PRÉSIDENT DE LA SÉANCE, DATO’ DR. B. C. Y. FREEZAILAH . . . . .305
COMENTARIOS FINALES DEL PRESIDENTE DE LA SESIÓN, DATO’ DR. B. C. Y. FREEZAILAH . . . . . .307
POST-CONFERENCE
MANAGEMENT OF THE MATANG MANGROVES IN THE 21ST CENTURY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .313
Dato' M. Azahar and K.L. Lim
SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .313
1.0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .313
2.0 RESERVATION, MARKET DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .314
3.0 MANAGEMENT HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .314
4.0 RESOURCE BASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315
5.0 MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .316
6.0 SILVICULTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .317
5.0 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .319
6.0 WILDLIFE CONSERVATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320
REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .324
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OPENING & CLOSING ADDRESS
OPENING ADDRESS BY DR. MANOEL SOBRAL FILHO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .327
WELCOMING ADDRESS BY Y. BHG. DATO' HAJI ABDUL RASHID BIN MAT AMIN . . . . . . . . . . . . .330
OPENING ADDRESS BY Y.B. DATO SRI HJ. ADENAN HJ. SATEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .333
CLOSING REMARKS BY Y. BHG. DATO’ HAJI ABDUL RASHID BIN MAT AMIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .336
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .341– 342
CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS
PARTICIPANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .345-348
xiii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The International Conference on Sustainable Management of Tropical Forests – Private Sector Experiences, held
between 13 -15 April 2004, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, serves to report on findings of the ITTO Project PD48/99
Rev.1 (F, M) entitled Sharing of Information and Experiences on Private Sector Success Stories in Sustainable
Forest Management. The Project is unique to the Organisation in the sense that it is the first major project that
deals with the private sector’s application of the sustainable forest management principle. ITTO in its essence
have set its core business, so to speak, to formulate good management practices for the forests of the tropics
around the thrust of SFM. It is thus in this perspective that the outputs of this Project is anticipated with some
eagerness since it provides the first opportunity for us to see how the private sector forest managers adopt and
translate the sustainability concept in their management practices.
In its endeavour the project team, led by Y. Bhg. Dato’ Dr. B. C. Y. Freezailah, the founding and former
Executive Director of ITTO, has covered a very wide ground in terms of both space and subject matter that
revolves around SFM. The three major tropical regions of Asia-Pacific, Africa and Latin America-Caribbean were
judiciously surveyed for good practitioners of forest management among private sector companies. It is hoped
that their experiences, and in particular the ‘lessons learnt’, in pursuing SFM as the core of their forest
management, will serve as the guiding models for those aspiring to venture in the same direction.
The conference proceedings, published in two volumes, tell a pan-tropical story of the struggles
experienced by 15 forest managers to achieve SFM. Collectively, they cover a range of forest enterprises that
practically span the very wide tapestry of forestry endeavours. Although the socioeconomic and physical
backdrops may be varied there are many common grounds for them to convey a pan-tropical message, if not a
regional one. I am confident that the discerning forest manager can pick out the lessons learnt, from this
intentionally selected wide management landscape that can benefit their individual needs.
Like all major enterprise, the making of this Project, with its culmination in the proceedings, is a gotong
royong effort which is a traditional Malay expression meaning team effort in which most of the ‘village’ is involved.
I gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the ITTO and the Government of Malaysia, through the Department
of Forestry Peninsular Malaysia, for conceiving and funding the Project. I would also like to congratulate the fine
effort of the project team with Y. Bhg. Dato’ Dr. B. C. Y. Freezailah as the Project Coordinator, Mr. Mohd Basri bin
Hamzah the Assistant Coordinator and Dr. C. C. Chandrasekharan, Mr. S. E. Wilson and Dr. I. Tomaselli as
Regional Consultants. The Project was smoothly managed by the home Secretariat in Kuala Lumpur
commendably headed by Y. Bhg. Dato’ Shaharuddin bin Mohamad Ismail, the Deputy Director General, and his
able staff which include Mr. Thai See Kiam, Mr. Razani bin Ujang, Mr. Chin Yue Man, Tuan Hj Kamaruzaman bin
Ali Budin and Mr. Yap Yee Hwai. The Perak State Forest Department smoothly organised the Post-Conference
Tour under the able leadership of the State Director of Forestry, Y.Bhg. Dato’ Azahar bin Muda and his staff which
include Mr. Nik Mohd. Shah bin Nik Mustafa, Mr. Amir bin Idris, Tn. Hj. Zainal bin Jain and Mr. Lim Kee Leng.
I would like to thank Dr. C. C.Chandrasekharan for drafting the project technical report which is printed
separately from the conference proceedings. In this fine piece of writing, he has successfully highlighted the
major lessons learnt by the forest managers and also commendably updated our knowledge on the nature and
practice of SFM in the tropics. This publication should thus be of use to all students of sustainable tropical forest
management.
My sincere appreciation is especially extended to the conference paper presenters for their magnanimity
in sharing their rich experiences to benefit forest management in the tropics. They are Mr. S.K. Chan, Mr. N.
Suparna, Mr. F. A. Lu, Mr. P. Tiong, Dr. R. Prasad, Mr. S. N. Rao, Y. Bhg. Dato’ M. Azahar and Mr. K. L. Lim from
the Asia-Pacific region, Mr. P.Y. Dubois, Mr A-A. Ayih, Mr. N. Bayol, Mr. A. Brede from Africa and Mr. P. Antelo,
Mr. J. Baldasso, Mr. R. S. Waack, Mr. R. F. Tocci, Mr. A. L. Pironel, Mr. E. L. Reckziegel and Mr. Tuoto from Latin
America-Caribbean region. And also to the session chairmen, Mr. M. Esano, Mr. R. McCarthy and Mr. F. Pastore
and the Conference Panellists, Y. Bhg. Dato’ Dr. B. C. Y. Freezailah, Mr. N. Bayol, Mr. Yati Bun, H. E. Mr. N.
Nakahira, Mr. Njoto and Dr. I. Tomaselli. Through their gotong royong in ideas and deliberations they have
collectively identified for us a clearer direction ahead. I believe and I hope that this report will make a difference
to forest management in the tropics.
Yours sincerely,
Director General
xiv
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Sustainable Management of Tropical Forests – Private Sector Experiences
CONGO BASIN EXAMPLE
by
Dr. H. L. Stoll
Past President
and
Sr. J-J. Landrot
President
It is an honour for Dr. Stoll and myself to have been invited by ITTO to deliver a keynote address at this ITTO
seminar in Kuala Lumpur. The privilege of age is also the privilege of experience, since Dr. Stoll, over half
a century ago, and myself, some 42 years ago, not only discovered the Tropics, where we developed
companies, but especially fell in love with them. Therefore, with the benefit of this long experience, we would
wish to analyse with you the extraordinary cultural and technological revolutions which have taken place in
the Tropics, and particularly in Africa, over the last ten years.
As you know, the private forest sector is often severely criticised:
- The Western media claim that its role is that of a destructor of forests.
- As for us foresters, our role is to advance development. But this must be carried out with due
respect for the village populations and regard for nature.
1.0
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The notion of “sustainable development” goes through successive stages which, over the centuries, have
matched the evolution of both the environmental sensitivity and the globalisation of economic, social and
environmental problems.
a. An old concept in Europe
In France, for example, the first concept of handing over the resource seems to date back to
edicts issued by Philippe VI of Valois, i.e. in the mid-14th century.
b. The Brundtland Report, 1987
“Sustainable development is a form of development which meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
c. Rio 1992
The Rio Conference amplified the concept: “Forest resources and land should be managed
sustainably to meet the social, economic, ecological, cultural and spiritual needs of present and
future generations”.
d. Johannesburg 2002
That Conference (RIO + 10) completed the environmental concept by highliting the concept well
known to all field operators, that: “There can be no environmental protection without poverty
eradication”.
Although the notion of sustainable development seems now well established in the countries of the
North, and even well accepted universally, it is applied at variable speeds, whether because of cultural
differences or, quite simply, for reasons of economic development.
Indeed, in many tropical countries, forests make an essential contribution to the economy, by way of
individual or collective financial revenues as well representing areas available for other uses. Investment in
sustainable methods is heavy; in addition, the second felling cycle is uncertain and a long way off; other uses
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of forested areas are much more lucrative, whether for fast rotating crops (food crops like cassava, rice,
corn, bananas, etc.) or for agro-industrial plantations such as bananas, coffee, cocoa, palm trees, rubber
trees, or for grazing as in the Amazon Basin, etc. It is recognized that agricultural slash-and-burn and the
firewood collection account for 80 to 90% of deforestation. Whereas the forest road infrastructure is often
blamed for being the vector of deforestation, it is nevertheless essential for the development of tropical
countries. ATIBT has elaborated on the positive and negative roles of such infrastructures in a handbook
published jointly with FAO and which is available on request.
Therefore, the demographic pressure, which is a significant factor in deforestation, and the number of
inhabitants below the poverty line (US$1 per day) can legitimately raise some fear of a gloomy future for the
large forests of the planet. For example, 80 million Indonesians are below this threshold and if each head
of family (1 per 10 inhabitants) currently clears a 100 m x 100 m patch of forest to grow food crops, the
resulting deforestation amounts to 8 million hectares per annum. The same applies in South America and in
Africa.
2.0
THE AFRICAN RESOURCE AS A WHOLE
2.1 Differences in forest areas and population density
The primary moist forests cover some 250 million hectares. Obviously, with the passage of years and in the
wake of economic development, and especially due to demographic pressures, great differences have
emerged in the status of these forests.
A classification can be worked out; although no doubt cynical, it nevertheless reflects the political,
economic and botanical realities which will lead us towards the chances or not to establish forest
management conducive to sustainable forest promotion.
a. Land of civil wars or land for investments
Unfortunately to date, it can be said that five out of the fourteen countries members of ATO
(African Timber Organization) are in a state of civil war: Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte.d’Ivoire,
Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa) and Angola. It can even be said that Guinea
Conakry, the Central African Republic and the Congo (Brazzaville) are politically weak, a
situation which is not likely to attract serious investors. We will return later to the determining
factor linking stability and confidence supporting earnest investors. Earnestness is in itself the
prerequisite of ethical management methods, sustainable forestry methods, and for
establishing added value plants. In addition to the catastrophic human aspects, such civil wars
generally lead to heavy losses of fauna and flora. (For example, in North Congo, Liberia, the
DRC, millions of refugees have invaded the forests, hunting and clearing to survive).
b. Forests or Agriculture?
Countries with strong demographic pressures where agricultural slash-and-burn competes with
sustainable forest management: In this category, Nigeria is the country most affected, but it
should be recalled that, after the Second World War, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana were subjected
not only to the pressure of European forest investors seeking materials essential to the
rebuilding of Europe, but also, as a consequence of economic prosperity, to a soaring
population growth (internal and immigrant), involving a loss of 50 to 80% of the primary forest
cover to agriculture.
The Congo Basin is still a sparsely populated and relatively intact forested area covering 150 to 204
million hectares, according to the chosen definition of what constitutes a forest, and it will serve to illustrate
what has been done in the way of sustainable development and perhaps also of what should have been
done in the other countries of West Africa 50 years ago.
2.2 The Congo Basin as an experimental field
Under the definition of the Congo Basin, 7 countries North and South of the equator are watered by the
affluents of one of the largest rivers of Africa: the Congo. From North to South, they are: the Cameroon,
Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Democratic Republic
of Congo (Kinshasa) and Angola.
The forest of these countries covers approximately 204 million hectares, approximately 80% of which
are moist forests rich in economic forestry potential, or approximately 150 million hectares. This vast tropical
forest area (second only to that of the Amazon Basin) has three fundamental characteristics)
a. The forest population
The forest population is sparse (generally less than 10 inhabitants per square kilometre) and
there are hundreds of thousands of hectares in Gabon which accommodate less than 1
inhabitant per square kilometre.
Within the whole of the Congo Basin, Bantous and Pygmies share the name of “village people”.
Whereas Pygmies were itinerant until the end of the 20th century, they are now gradually
becoming settled. African States are only now beginning to recognize rights to the Pygmy
people who generally live of hunting or fishing and sometimes of agricultural and forestry
services to companies. The complexity of the current task is to adapt the traditional rights
enjoyed by a small number of inhabitants to a way of life and modern technical means. This is
true for agriculture but, as you may expect, also for hunting where powerful rifles have replaced
the nets, bows and arrows.
The States’ sovereign property over the revenues from the forest is also beginning to be shared
and the rights of the indigenous people held a significant place on the agenda of the last World
Forest Congress held in Quebec in 2003.
b. A wealth of biodiversity
Out of those 150 million hectares, approximately 50 million are allocated by the States to forest
production and between 15 and 20 million to protected areas where the objective is to maintain
an integral primary biodiversity. These figures are often quoted with the reservation
“approximately” because definitions are sometimes fuzzy, official statistics confused and above
all enforcement of government decisions is unsystematic.
Biodiversity there is extremely important, because 70 to 80% of the animal species live in
tropical areas. For example, some 400 species of mammals (including 4 of the 6 species of the
world’s large monkeys), 400 species of reptiles and more than 1300 species of birds are to be
found In the Congo Basin alone.
Likewise, the Congo Basin contains more than 10,000 species of plants, more than 3000 of
which are endemic.
c. Difficulty of access
Access is relatively difficult, especially in the countries forming the High Congo Basin whose
rapids at the height Brazzaville/Kinshasa do not allow a possible outlet towards the sea.
The same applies to Gabon where the mountainous landscape has made it very difficult to
penetrate the “second zone” located behind the coastal forests. These difficulties of access
have slowed down the development of these remote forests because of increased logistics and
costs. But from a strictly forestry point of view, it can also be said that such difficulties have
allowed them to escape the great conquests of the post-colonial development and to have now
the chance of being suitable for forest management.
3.0
AREAS UNDER MANAGEMENT
Although forest laws now require that a preliminary management plan must be established prior to any
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6
forestry activity taking place in granted concessions, the reality is quite different for political, economic and
technical reasons. We will return to that later in the study.
a. Areas in the process of being managed
To date, the process of management has been initiated over 20 million hectares, in other words
inventories are in progress.
b. Areas already under management
2.5 million hectares have already been covered by a management plan approved by the
administrations of the owner States and are under what is commonly called “sustainable
production”.
c. Certified areas under management
1.6 million hectares are already certified by the Dutch KEURHOUT system and the products of
those forests can be marketed under the label of that system.
As you know, certification often creates great confusio n in the minds not only of the consumer
but also of the decision-makers in African administrations. Certification is also the subject of
controversy with some NGOs. We will return more specifically to that problem at the end of the
talk.
Several authors will also reconsider this aspect of certification systems. But it is the
responsibility of all of us to work towards mutual recognition because, in the Tropics, the
important thing is not to know if such or such a system is better than another, the important thing
is to encourage, incite or even coerce all operators into managing forests in such a way as to
promote regeneration for future generations.
4.0 FOREST MANAGEMENT: AN ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL REVOLUTION
One of the major changes in forest harvesting is the result of a shift from a mining behaviour to actually
planning resource management.
The first stage of management lies in understanding the forest.
Even if it appears presumptuous, even utopian, to speak of maintening biodiversity in a concession
under management, all the efforts of a tropical concession-holder tend towards that objective.
The great biodiversity wealth of primary forests, the very recent understanding of that wealth (and even
its current discovery) render the activites carried out very complex and very expensive, and many tropical
countries and their concession-holders stress that these heavy costs are hard to bear in the international
competition.
However, the process has been initiated in the Congo Basin by all the large companies, in particular
those belonging to the “European Foundation for the Preservation of the African forest resources”.
The various stages are as follows:
4.1 Understanding the forest
Contrary to the majority of other forests of the world, the African forests are owned by the States and the
onus is on the concession-holder to draw up the management plan, the approval of the finilised plan being
the sole responsibility of the State.
The stages of this “understanding” are:
1. definition and delimitation of the concession with the Administration;
2. based on existing documents such as national maps, map-making of satellite images, aereal
photographs and even topographic data gathered from field surveys carried out by inventory
teams and GIS;
3. zoning of the concession by type of vegetation or land utilisation in order to gain a first
appreciation of areas that can or cannot be used (savannas, marshes, high value biodiversity
areas, villages, sacred forests, agricultural land, etc.);
4. management inventory including all the above areas divided as homogeneously as possible
into secondary areas;
This inventory of variable sampling fractions covering the whole of the concession, will make it
possible:
-
better to understand the characteristics of the natural environment and its conditions;
to identify the demographic characteristics, the activities and the living conditions of the
populations living within or close around the concession;
to take into account the rights and customs of these populations and to initiate as active as
possible a participation during the development of the concession;
to estimate the current commercial species to be promoted, by diameter classes with, if
possible, an estimate of average volumes and quality of the exploitable trees.
It is necessary at this stage to mention a very great disparity of knowledge (regarding quality, texture,
colour, and defects of trees) that companies have experienced, between unknown primary forests and
temperate forests which have been worked by several generations of foresters.
But it becomes obvious that the reliability of the management inventory will determine not only the
production plans but also the planning of all the company’s operations, its profitability and its acceptance by
the village peoples. At this stage, companies are advised to seek the assistance of forest management
consultants (because of the complexity of the task) and even the help of field NGOs.
4.2 Planning the production or management
Once information on the concession has been obtained, it will be possible to tackle the computer-assisted
administrative tasks.
The following will have to be planned:
-
production series (for industrial purposes)
biodiversity protection series (not worked)
social protection series (villages, sacred forests, plantations, etc.)
extraction of timber: annual basic cutting cycle depending on the forest legislation (20 to 30
years according to country)
tree species to be extracted (marketed as logs or processed locally)
minimum diameter (MD, often specified in regulations, but also determined on the basis of
inventories)
specific silvicultural system according to specifications or the manager’s decisions (releasing
crop trees, etc)
infrastructures to provide:
• main roads
• secondary roads
• camp site-office, housing, schools, medical centre, etc
• industrial plants
Obviously, these decisions are interactive and simultaneous. The company’s expertise but also its
financial resources are decisive factors. At this stage I would like to remind you that direct assistance to
companies provided by the AFD (Agence française de développement), and also in some cases by the
European Union through WWF, has brought about links for significant financial assistance to be put at the
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disposal of companies, and this is what has really set management plans in motion.
This pionneering assistance by AFD has been the subject of much controversy in the years 1995 to
2000, but it is now recognized as being beneficial by all financial backers and even by some NGOs such as
WWF and WCS which often act as counsels and interim financing organisations.
4.3 Reduced impact methods
Once planning is established, operations can begin and, for some years, capabilities in forest production,
hitherto the preserve of an elite minority, tend to be popularized.
Reduced impacts methods are applicable to all aspects of the company’s activity, from social
relationships within and outside the company, to infrastructures (roads, bridges, camps), logging, skidding
and timber product development, and even the maintenance of forest machinery (recycling of oils and old
machines, etc.)
Not only do these methods protect the social and biological environment as well as the future of the
following rotations, but they also generally ensure increased material yield.
Training in these methods is provided by IFIA with the assistance of the European Union, ITTO and
USAID, although it is still accessible to large companies only for financial and logistic reasons.
The forester’s relationships with wildlife are also developed in our handbooks and training programmes
(regulations prohibiting poaching, care of infrastructures, eco-guards, breeding of game, etc). The
assistance provided by specialized NGOs in this field is invaluable.
Two concrete examples of companies established in Gabon (Rougier) and Congo (CIB) will be
presented to you in a few moments.
4.4 Advantages of planning
Understanding the concession, production planning and reduced impact methods are no doubt the bases
for modern tropical forestry, and it should also be modestly acknowledged that they represent a cultural
revolution for the large majority of foresters.
a. An opportunity for safeguarding the forests
The legal obligation to establish a management plan has brought about great changes:
- in relationships with administrations (duration of permits, permanent contacts,
specifications, verifications, etc.)
- in shifting the mindset of foresters from a “mining” type of operation to one of middle- to
long-term investment
- in better integrating the populations
- in allowing better co-operation with the personnel (training, etc.)
- in bringing about a new proprietorial notion of the concession.
b. A more appropriate way of developing the forest
Information on the standing stock will make it possible to plan the marketing and
industrialization of the secondary species. Reduced impact methods will lead to avoiding
considerable waste, and even the degradation of the timber potential, therefore to better
developing the forest.
c. Understanding of the financial asset
This is a new concept which is still not taken into consideration to any extent in financial
instruments. But there is no doubt that the long term contract with the State and the knowledge
of the standing stock will lead to an increase of the company’s asset value. This added value
and possibly taking the concession itself as security can allow much flexibility in local financial
participation. This will have the advantage of not draining the companies’ own capital and of
overcoming the requirement of generally international bankable assurances and hard
currencies, and will thus make it possible for African companies to develop locally.
4.5 Planning difficulties
Why then, given all these advantages, did industrialists not embark massively and spontaneously in
management planning?
a. Technical difficulties
Because of the complexity of the tropical environment, and often its discovery, a very high level
of expertise is required of operators and their scientific advisers. I believe that the experts in this
assembly will not contradict me when I say that we certainly have made as much progress in
the knowledge of the tropical forest environment in the last ten years as has been made in the
last century, and progress is not over! There still remains so much to discover! The number one
handicap remains the complexity of defining what is sustainable production and how to apply it
to the tropical environment.
b. Financial difficulties
The preparation of a management plan costs approximately 5 Euros per hectare for oncessions
of about 200 000 hectares. But monitoring data in the course of production also costs the same
amount. These are very significant amounts and have been the number two handicap in the
implementation of forestry laws.
It is just as obvious that political instability (civil wars or low suitability) is an unquestionable
handicap in the long-term investment (25/30 years) that a management plan represents).
One realizes at this stage that tropical forests are at a great disadvantage compared with other
types of the world’s forests. The very significant financial cost, 100% of which is borne by the
tropical company, can at present be reflected in the international markets only with difficulty.
c. Human difficulties (labour skills)
Finally, we spoke about scientific complexity. It is also necessary to speak about the vocational
training of executives and labour force. The GPS has replaced the compass, the computer has
replaced the site journal, the high-output chain saw has replaced the axe, the fast and powerful
tyre skidders have replaced the full track vehicle. Qualified personnel are needed for all these
new functions.
How was it possible for governments, financial backers and NGOs to expect companies to deal
with such cultural and technical revolutions, as desirable as they are, without worrying about
the training of men to implement them?
Therefore there is an enormous deficit of vocational training and this is the number three
handicap of tropical forests management.
The ITTO has also a major role to play in this respect and co-operation with professionals is
necessary.
d. An instrument for the great and the rich?
The management plan and its implementation have become compulsory in the countries of the
Congo Basin. But whereas it is complex and expensive to implement their requirements in
concessions of 100 000 hectares and above, the planning of a 25/30 years rotation in smaller
concessions still proves technically and financially impossible. Let me explain: To be successful,
a forestry operation must reach a critical threshold of about 5000 m3/month or 60.000 m3/year.
This threshold is required to compensate for the minimum cost of a technical set up represented
by the human management tool and also a camp (accommodation, garage, etc). If the average
production is 10 m3 per hectare, the yearly consumption of the allocated area will amount to
6000 h/year. Therefore, a concession of about 200 000 hectares will be necessary for a 30-year
rotation. These figures are approximate but they give a fair idea of the area necessary to
economically establish a management plan. Is cooperative grouping possible? But how can an
African forester be made to shift from a short-term income to an income planned over 25/30
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10
years? In any case it is desirable to work on these parameters if it is intended that the national
foresters should take part in the sustainable development of their heritage.
5.0
ECO-CERTIFICATION
We have seen the technical and financial aspects of the management plan. I should now like to address a
problem which has become political, i.e. “Eco-Certification”.
5.1 From boycott to certification
It is good to occasionally return to the initial definition of certification, which was to have a dual action as a
tool for the promotion of the sustainable management of forest productions “through his preferential choice
of certified products, the consumer is to ensure the promotion of the sustainable management of the forest
from which the product originates”.
Likewise, “certification is a voluntary approach by the forest producer wishing to regain the consumer’s
confidence on the sustainability of his management and thus obtain a premium of choice, and if possible of
price for the product offered”.
The two keys of certification were thus compatible with free international trade and the WTO rules.
- The preferential choice by the purchaser is to ensure promotion
- The producer’s approach is voluntary.
Initiated after Rio from the media coverage of the plight of tropical deforestation, the boycott of tropical
timber has for a long time been one of the NGOs’ demands.
Realizing how absurd (even immoral) it was to boycott one of the resources of developing countries, in
1993 large NGOs created the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). Tropical countries, in particular Malaysia,
Indonesia and Brazil, then demanded that the requirement of certification be extended to all the world’s
forests.
Regaining the upper hand in this process, the tropical countries and ITTO adopted the Objective 2000
stating that 100 % of the world trade should originate from sustainably managed and certified forests.
Somewhat utopian perhaps, but politically correct, and governments, financial donors, NGOs and
professionals merrily got on that battle horse which was to save everyone. Certification thus became the
objective proclaimed by all stakeholders and the universal tool for the promotion of sustainable
management.
5.2 The limitations of the system
However, the professionals recognized the system’s limitations, and even the present deviations to
“Certification” as a tool.
a. Ensuring the promotion of sustainable management
It is a fact that after ten years of promoting certification and spending millions of Euros and US
dollars in promotion campaigns, the tool has lost much of its credibility as an instrument to
rescue the forests.
One of the main reasons for this credibility loss is to have given priority to Certification over
Management itself: chronological fault, political fault, technical fault and, finally, financial fault:
Chronological fault: Certification can only come after management .
Political fault Certification has retained the inequality of treatment between primary forests and
temperate forests, i.e. between rich and poor countries. Moreover, campaigns which do not take
into consideration the supply aspect while only capitalizing on demand are tantamount to a
boycott of tropical products. One realizes that the intensification of the campaigns in favour of
certification takes us back more than 10 years, to the detriment of tropical forests and the
national actors. Decision makers and consumers must know that only 3% of the tropical forests
are certified and that in Africa, as we have just seen, no small national producer (with nearly
50% of volume produced) has any chance of being granted certification within the next 10
years.
Finally, at the political level, the proliferation of certification systems has created great confusion
in the minds of the consumers. This is why the ITTO and associated governments must
continue their efforts to support the mutual recognition of Certification Systems and to promote
a standard and international label, of the “ WOODMARK “ type.
Technical fault: How can a tool covering only a small percentage of forest production influence
it effectively? The relative share of local, regional and finally international markets sensitive to
certification is very small, and this all the more true in the Tropics where slash-and-burn and
firewood represent, as we have seen, the main cause of deforestation.
Financial fault: It seems to us that the considerable amounts committed by Financial
institutions for the promotion of certification would have produced far better results had they
been spent directly on management plans assistance to the tropical forest Administrations.
The ITTO has had, in a sense, an original and pioneering role by concentrating on the real
problem: the forest.
b. The role of Western NGOs
Whilst we have very constructive relationships with field NGOs such as UICN/CEFDHAC, WCS
and WWF/CARPO, which not only work with companies in different constructive and sensitive
ways, but also provide real skills in social matters and in the fields of biodiversity and especially
wildlife, the role of Western NGOs still appears to us very ambiguous and, I must say,
discouraging.
Here are a few reasons for our disappointment:
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Why is it that the field realities, with their immense complexities due to the phenomenon of
development, isn’t better explained to the media of the North?
Why is it that the many and concrete co-operations between field NGOs and companies
aren’t reported by the media of the North, or so rarely?
Why is it that the large Western NGOs have not taken position on the problems of forest
taxation which truely asphyxiate formal companies and force them to delay all social and
environmental work in order to survive?
Finally, why is it that some NGOs are still arbitrarily demonising all the companies as a
method to promote their actions in what I would call “the ecologist-business”?
Why do large NGOs reject a mutual recognition of the major certification systems?
However, co-operation with NGOs is necessary and each one has a role to play in the “sustainable
development” challenge and what is at stake must be of paramount importance.
6.0 ANOTHER INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT: GOVERNANCE AND LEGALITY
It is a fact that weak governance and endemic African instabilities tend to attract investors with dubious
ethics. Moreover, the need for easy profits leads to increasing illegality in forest production. Faced with this
reality, the international community tries to react with the AFLEG programme (African Forest Law
Enforcement Governance and Trade) of co-operation with the producing States. This co-operation with
Sovereign States is possible only in the form of assistance to strengthen the Administrations’ human
resources (in numbers and skills) and in technical capabilities. This will take a long time.
Considering themselves as the first victims of these illegalities, and given the consequent negative
image of African timber on the markets, responsible industrialists members of IFIA have wanted to anticipate
on the AFLEGT procedure which will take a long time to set up. They are currently devising with the large
NGOs a “voluntary certification of legality and committment to the process of forest concessions
management”. This certificate, based on an annual independent, administrative control and an
unannounced field survey, will be operational in 2004. It should serve to reassure the consumer markets and
stimulate the responsible companies with their commitment.
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A very strong campaign is currently in progress in Europe on behalf of 3 large NGOs on strengthening
controls over imports, and a ship discharging Indonesian plywood has been chased by GREENPEACE and
the TV channels of France, Belgium, the Netherlands and England.
These campaigns of attacks without proofs other than a vague suspicion, against supposedly tropical
timber illegalities are only repressive and, as far as we are concerned, destructive because they encourage
purchasers to buy plantation timber, plastic and metal.
7.0
CONCLUSION
Of course, concern for the environment is desirable, I would even say needed, but in order to promote it
priorities of the North should be put back in the tropical context of the developing countries.
Sustainable management could not be developed by actors in an oppressive context of weak
governance, of soaring taxation, and of competition with unofficial and illegal operations. These actors
operate in a climate of national, regional and international competition, which has often little concern for the
environment and no or little motivation to support the direct and indirect costs of the necessary additional
expenditure.
Therefore, it seems desirable that an international policy, in particular through ITTO, take these realities
into account and put aside any emotional and discriminatory import measures.
This is the reason why we suggest that Governments, donors and the ITTO concentrate their efforts in
matters of the environment and ethics on effective and material cooperation assistance in the producer
countries.
Assistance may be bilateral or multilateral, or it can mean writing off the international debt (often 40%
of the States’ budgets) or through carbon credits.
We feel that relying solely on international trade to promote sustainable management and ethics is a
dangerous thing. It seems obvious to the African professionals in the timber sector that the increasing
demand in African national and regional markets, that the increasing demand in Asian markets like China,
India, Thailand, etc, added to increasing constraints in European markets are disrupting not only trade but
also European investments under ethical and environmental pressures. However, it is undeniable that these
European investments in forestry and local industrialization in Africa lead to positive economic, ethical and
environmental influences in countries where they are established.
Finally, international trade is like a wind funnelled between two zones of different pressures. It links
supply and demand. Trade does not like constraints, and trade flows evolve according to supply and
demand and to the ease with which it can be developed or maintained.
When the constraints of the European markets alone are added to the pressures of taxation applied to
the sole companies officially managed, the great vulnerability of serious investments in Africa becomes
apparent.
At the time when Africa needs serious and progressive forest investors in the social, environmental and
ethical fields, it is the duty of the international community to consider not only the constraints of its policy,
but also the consequences of its assistance.
The serious private sector is no doubt an excellent partner for the Financial backers, in tropical
countries even more than elsewhere. This is why we solemnly ask the ITTO to find a place for the private
sector, not only as a technical adviser, but especially a place of real partners in action and in the
implementation of its projects.
Forest management in Africa, vocational training, industrialization for added value, international
promotion of African timbers cannot be achieved without the active participation of the private sector.
Therefore, ITTO must give this participation a place of primary importance.
The African private sector is ready to take up the challenge of this constructive partnership.
LA ORDENACIÓN SOSTENIBLE DE LOS BOSQUES TROPICALES. EXPERIENCIAS DEL
SECTOR PRIVADO: EL EJEMPLO DE LA CUENCA DEL CONGO
Por el Dr. H. L. Stoll
ex Presidente
y el Sr. J-J. Landrot
Presidente
Es un gran honor para el Dr. Stoll y un servidor haber sido invitados por la OIMT a presentar una
introducción a este seminario de la OIMT en Kuala Lumpur. La edad acarrea el privilegio de la experiencia,
ya que hace medio siglo y 42 años respectivamente que el Dr. Stoll y yo no sólo descubrimos la zona
tropical sino que también instalamos allí empresas y, sobre todo, quedamos enamorados de la zona.
Gracias a la perspectiva que nos da esta larga experiencia podemos analizar con ustedes las
extraordinarias revoluciones culturales y técnicas de las zonas tropicales y, en particular, en África, en los
últimos diez años.
Es bien sabido que el sector forestal privado sufre ataques frecuentes:
- De los medios occidentales, que consideran que su función es destruir bosques.
- De nuestros ingenieros forestales, que consideran que nuestro papel es el del desarrollo. Pero
dicha función debe cumplirse en el respecto de las poblaciones de las aldeas y de la
naturaleza.
1.0
DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE
La noción del «desarrollo sostenible» ha pasado por una sucesión de etapas que, a lo largo de los siglos,
siguió la evolución de la concientización ambiental y, además, de la mundialización de los problemas
económicos, sociales y ambientales.
a. Una noción antigua en Europa
En Francia por ejemplo, la primera noción de transmisión de los recursos parece remontarse a
las ordenanzas de Felipe VI de Valois, es decir, a mediados del siglo XIV.
b. El Informe Brundtland de 1987
“El desarrollo sostenible es el desarrollo que satisface las necesidades del presente sin
comprometer la capacidad de las generaciones futuras para satisfacer sus propias
necesidades”.
c. Río, 1992
La Conferencia de Río dio mayor precisión a dicha noción: «Los recursos y las tierras
forestales deben estar manejados de manera ecológicamente viable a fin de responder a las
necesidades sociales, económicas, ecológicas, culturales y espirituales de las generaciones
presentes y futuras.»
d. Johannesburgo, 2002
Esta Conferencia (Río + 10) completó la noción ambiental al insistir en una noción que todos
los que trabajamos en el terreno conocemos bien: «No puede haber protección del medio
ambiente sin erradicación de la pobreza»
Hoy esta noción de desarrollo sostenible parece bien arraigada en las naciones del norte, y hasta
aceptada a nivel mundial, pero el ritmo de su aplicación es variado, sea ello por motivos de diferencias
culturales o, simplemente, por razones económicas atinentes al desarrollo.
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14
En efecto, en muchos países tropicales, los bosques hacen una contribución esencial a la economía,
tanto a nivel de los ingresos financieros individuales o colectivos, como a nivel de las superficies disponibles
para otros aprovechamientos. Los métodos sostenibles exigen inversiones importantes, y la segunda
rotación es aleatoria y distante; existen otros aprovechamientos de las tierras forestales que son mucho
más lucrativos: cultivos de rotación rápida (plantas comestibles tales como mandioca, arroz, maíz, bananos,
etc.) o cultivos agro-industriales tales como las plantaciones de bananos, café, cacao, palmeras, hevea, o
los pastos, como en la Cuenca del Amazonas, etc. Se acepta que la quema para fines agrícolas y la colecta
de leña son responsables del 80 al 90% de la deforestación. Aunque la infraestructura vial forestal se ve
acusada con frecuencia de constituir el vector de dicha deforestación, resulta también indispensable para
el desarrollo de los países tropicales. La ATIBT ha examinado los papeles positivos y negativos de dichas
infraestructuras en un manual publicado en colaboración con la FAO y que podrán obtener a pedido.
Por lo tanto, la presión demográfica es un factor importante en la deforestación, y son legítimos los
temores de que el número de habitantes por debajo del umbral de pobreza ($1 dólar de Estados Unidos
por día) llevará a un futuro sombrío en los grandes macizos forestales del planeta. Por ejemplo, 80 millones
de indonesios se encuentran por debajo de dicho umbral y, si cada jefe de familia (1 de cada 10 habitantes)
desmontara actualmente una parcela de bosque de 100 M por 100 M para cultivos alimentarios, se
produciría la deforestación de 8 millones de hectáreas por año. Lo mismo sucede en América del Sur y en
África.
2.0
LOS RECURSOS AFRICANOS EN GENERAL
2.1 Territorios de contrastes en áreas forestales y densidad de población
Los bosques primarios húmedos y densos abarcan unos 250 millones de hectáreas. Naturalmente, con los
años, el estado de estos bosques se transformó en desarrollo económico y sobre todo, en presión
demográfica, muy diferentes.
Pueden efectuarse varias clasificaciones que, a pesar de ser cínicas, son también el reflejo de los
estados políticos, económicos y botánicos que nos permitirán, o no, establecer actividades forestales que
permitan la ordenación forestal sostenible.
a. Tierras de guerras civiles o tierras de inversión
Desafortunadamente, se puede decir hoy que cinco de los catorce países de la OAM
(Organización Africana de la Madera) están en guerra civil: Sierra Leona, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire,
República Democrática del Congo (Kinshasa) y Angola. Hasta se podría añadir que GuineaBissau, la República Centroafricana y el Congo Brazzaville se encuentran en una situación
política precaria que no resulta interesante para los inversionistas serios. Más adelante
volveremos a examinar el vínculo decisivo de la estabilidad que favorece la confianza de los
inversionistas serios. La seriedad es de por sí, la condición sine qua non de los métodos de
gestión ética, de los métodos forestales sostenibles y de las implantaciones industriales de
valor agregado. Además de los aspectos humanos catastróficos, estas guerras civiles acarrean
generalmente una pesada carga para la fauna y flora. (Por ejemplo, en el norte del Congo, en
Liberia, en la RDC, millones de refugiados invaden los bosques, cazan y desmontan para
sobrevivir).
b. Bosques o agricultura?
Países de gran presión demográfica donde existe una competencia entre la quema para fines
agrarios y la ordenación forestal sostenible. Nigeria es el país más afectado en esta categoría,
pero debemos recordar que, desde la segunda guerra mundial, Côte d’Ivoire y Ghana han
estado sujetas a la presión de los inversionistas forestales europeos que venían en busca de
materiales indispensables para la reconstrucción de Europa y, además, a una explosión
demográfica galopante (de migración interna y de inmigración) a consecuencia de la
prosperidad económica, lo que acarreó la pérdida del 50 al 80% de la trama de bosques
primarios, en beneficio de la agricultura.
La Cuenca del Congo es una zona aún poco poblada y relativamente intacta que abarca una
superficie forestal de 150 a 204 millones de hectáreas (según la definición de bosque que se
utiliza). Dicha cuenca servirá de ejemplo concreto de lo que se ha hecho en materia de
desarrollo sostenible y de lo que también podría haberse hecho hace 50 años en los otros
países del África Occidental.
2.2 La Cuenca del Congo, un campo de experimentación
La definición de la Cuenca del Congo agrupa 7 países al norte y al sur del Ecuador, que cubren los afluentes
de uno de los más grandes ríos de África: el Congo. De norte a sur, se trata de Camerún, la República
Centroafricana, Guinea Ecuatorial, Gabón, la República del Congo Brazzaville, la República Democrática
del Congo (Kinshasa) y Angola.
Los bosques de estos países cubren aproximadamente 204 millones de hectáreas, de los cuales cerca
del 80% son bosques densos y ricos en potencial económico forestal, es decir unos 150 millones de
hectáreas.
Esta enorme superficie de bosques tropicales (la segunda después de la Cuenca del Amazonas)
presenta tres características fundamentales
a. Población forestal
Baja densidad demográfica (generalmente menos de 10 habitantes por kilómetro cuadrado) y
cientos de millares de hectáreas en Gabón con menos de 1 habitante por Km2.
En toda la Cuenca del Congo, los bantús y los pigmeos comparten la denominación
«Poblaciones aldeanas». Hasta fines del siglo XX, los pigmeos eran nómades, pero
paulatinamente se fueron haciendo sedentarios. Sólo hoy comienzan los estados africanos a
reconocer los derechos de los pueblos pigmeos que viven generalmente de la caza o de la
pesca y, algunas veces, de prestaciones agrícolas y forestales a las empresas. La complejidad
de la tarea actual es adaptar los derechos tradicionales aceptables para un pequeño número
de habitantes, a un estilo de vida y medios técnicos modernos. Esto vale para la agricultura
pero, como se imaginarán, también vale para la caza en la que las armas de alto calibre han
reemplazado las redes y los arcos y flechas.
También se están empezando a compartir las regalías obtenidas por el Estado de los ingresos
producidos por los bosques, y los derechos de las poblaciones autóctonas tuvieron un lugar
importante durante el último Congreso Forestal Mundial celebrado en Québec en 2003.
b. Riqueza de la diversidad biológica
De los 150 millones de hectáreas, unos 50 millones son adjudicados por los estados a la
producción forestal, y entre 15 y 20 millones a áreas protegidas, cuyo objetivo es mantener una
biodiversidad primaria integral. Estas cifras se suelen presentar con la reserva de la expresión
«aproximada», pues a veces las definiciones son vagas, las estadísticas estatales confusas y,
sobre todo, el respeto por las decisiones gubernamentales es aleatorio.
La biodiversidad de la zona es considerable, pues el 70 al 80% de las especies animales vive
en regiones tropicales. Por ejemplo, solamente en la Cuenca del Congo viven unas 400
especies de mamíferos (de las que 4 de cada 6 son grandes simios del mundo), 400 especies
de reptiles y más de 1.300 especies de aves.
Asimismo, la Cuenca del Congo contiene más de 10.000 especies de plantas, de las cuales
más de 3.000 son endémicas.
c. Dificultades de acceso
La relativa dificultad del acceso, sobre todo en los países que forman la Cuenca Alta del Congo
cuyos rápidos al nivel de Brazzaville/Kinshasa no permiten la salida al mar.
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Lo mismo vale para Gabón cuyo relieve ha dificultado en mucho la penetración a la «segunda
zona» situada por detrás de estos macizos costeros. Dichas dificultades de acceso han
frenado el aprovechamiento de estos bosques remotos, pues aumentan la logística y los
costos. Pero, desde el punto de vista estrictamente forestal, se podría decir que ello les
permitió escapar a las grandes conquistas del desarrollo de la época pos-colonial y les brindó
la oportunidad actual de ser sostenibles.
3.0
LAS SUPERFICIES MANEJADAS
Aun si las leyes forestales exigen ahora el establecimiento de un plan de ordenación previo a la actividad
forestal de las concesiones otorgadas, la realidad es bien diferente, por motivos políticos, económicos y
técnicos que se estudiarán más abajo.
a. Zonas en curso de ordenación
A la fecha, 20 millones de hectáreas participan del proceso de ordenación, es decir que están
en curso de inventario.
b. Zonas bajo ordenación
Ya existen planes de ordenación convenidos por la administración de los estados propietarios
para 2,5 millones de hectáreas, que están bajo lo que se denomina comúnmente «producción
sostenible».
c. Zonas bajo ordenación, certificadas
El sistema holandés KEURHOUT ya ha certificado 1,6 millones de hectáreas, y los productos
obtenidos de este bosque pueden comercializarse bajo la etiqueta de dicha certificación.
Como sabrán, la certificación suele ser objeto de gran confusión en la mente de los
consumidores, así como de los responsables de las decisiones a nivel de la administración
africana. La Certificación también es objeto de polémica con ciertas ONG. Volveremos a este
problema más específicamente al final de este informe.
Varios autores también volverán sobre esta cuestión de los sistemas de Certificación. Pero nos
compete a todos la responsabilidad de obrar con miras a este reconocimiento mutuo, pues en
las zonas tropicales, lo importante no es saber si aquél sistema es mejor que éste, sino de
alentar, incitar y aun obligar a todos los operadores hacia la gestión forestal que respete la
regeneración para las futuras generaciones.
4.0
LA ORDENACIÓN FORESTAL: UNA REVOLUCIÓN ECONÓMICA Y CULTURAL
Uno de los grandes cambios de la extracción forestal proviene del paso de una conducta minera a una
verdadera ordenación planificada de los recursos.
La primera etapa de la ordenación consiste en el conocimiento del bosque.
A riesgo de que parezca presumido, aun utópico, hablar de mantenimiento de la biodiversidad de la
concesión bajo ordenación, es cierto que todos los empeños del concesionario tropical están dirigidos a
dicho objetivo.
Debido a la gran riqueza de la biodiversidad del bosque primario y a los conocimientos muy recientes
de dicha riqueza (aun de su descubrimiento), los trabajos realizados se hacen muy complejos y costosos;
es así que muchos países tropicales y sus concesionarios señalan la carga difícilmente soportable que
representan dichos costos en un ambiente de competencia internacional.
De todos modos, el proceso fue lanzado en la Cuenca del Congo por todas las grandes sociedades,
particularmente las empresas agrupadas en la «Fundación europea para la preservación de los recursos
de los bosques africanos».
He aquí las diferentes etapas:
4.1 El conocimiento del bosque
Contrariamente a la mayoría de los otros bosques del mundo, los estados africanos - propietarios de los
bosques - derivan al concesionario la carga del establecimiento del plan de ordenación y se reservan
solamente la aprobación de dicho plan una vez elaborado.
Las etapas de dicho «conocimiento» son las siguientes:
1. definición y demarcación de la concesión, junto con la Administración
2. cartografía mediante la utilización de documentos existentes, tales como mapas nacionales,
imágenes satelitales, fotografías aéreas y aun agrimensuras efectuadas por los equipos de
inventario y SIG.
3. zonificación de la concesión por tipo de formación vegetal o por afectación, lo que permite una
primera evaluación de las zonas explotables o no (savanas, pantanos, zonas de gran valor de
biodiversidad, aldeas, bosques sagrados, cultivos agrícolas, etc.)
4. inventario de ordenación del conjunto de las superficies zonificadas indicadas arriba, en subconjuntos de la mayor homogeneidad posible.
Este inventario con tasa variable de agrimensura, pero que cubre el conjunto de la concesión,
permitirá:
- obtener mejores conocimientos de las características del medio natural y de su entorno
- identificar las características demográficas, actividades y condiciones de vida de la
población residente en la concesión o en su periferia cercana
- tomar en cuenta los derechos y usos de dicha población, e iniciar la participación más
activa posible en el momento del aprovechamiento de la concesión
- calcular las maderas comerciales actuales y aquellas que es preciso promover, por
categorías de diámetro y, si fuera posible, con una apreciación de los volúmenes
promedios y de la calidad de los árboles que se pueden extraer.
Es preciso señalar aquí que las empresas han encontrado una muy gran disparidad entre los
conocimientos sobre los bosques primarios desconocidos y los bosques templados en los que los
interesados trabajan ya hacia varias generaciones (calidades, textura, color y defectos de los árboles).
Pero se hace evidente que la seriedad de este inventario de ordenación va a determinar no solamente
la planificación de la producción sino también la planificación de todas las actividades de la empresa, su
rentabilidad y su aceptación por la población de las aldeas. Se recomienda actualmente a las empresas que
soliciten consejo (debido a la complejidad de la tarea) a expertos en ordenación y aun a las ONG del
campo.
4.2 La planificación de la producción u ordenación
Con la información sobre la concesión así obtenida, será posible realizar el trabajo administrativo con ayuda
de las computadoras.
Así se planificarán:
- series de producción (de vocación industrial)
- series de protección (no sujetas a extracción) de la biodiversidad
- series de protección social (aldeas, bosques sagrados, plantaciones, etc.)
- programación de la extracción forestal: base de corta anual según la legislación forestal (20 a
30 años, según el país)
- maderas que se extraerán (comercialización en troza o elaboración local)
- diámetro mínimo de extracción (DME, suele depender de la reglamentación, pero también está
determinado por los inventarios)
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- tratamientos silvícolas específicos determinados por las especificaciones, o decididos por el
encargado de la ordenación (aclareos de futuros tallos, etc.)
- Determinación de las infraestructuras
• rutas principales
• rutas secundarias
• campamento-oficina, alojamiento, escuelas, dispensarios, etc.
• usinas
Se entiende que estas decisiones son interactivas y simultáneas. La competencia, así como los medios
financieros de la empresa, serán decisivos. Debo aquí recordarles que la ayuda prestada directamente a la
empresa por la AFD (Agencia Francesa para el Desarrollo) así como por la Unión Europea en algunos
casos por intermedio del WWF, que pusieron a disposición de las empresas importantes créditos
financieros, fueron los verdaderos disparadores de los planes de manejo.
Actualmente, los donantes y hasta ciertas ONG como el WWF y WCS que suelen desempeñarse como
defensores e intermediarios para dicha financiación, reconocen que dicha ayuda de la AFD, muy
controvertida en los años 1995 a 2000, fue beneficiosa.
4.3 Los métodos de impacto reducido
Una vez establecida la planificación comienzan las obras y, después de algunos años, tienden a
diseminarse las competencias de producción forestal, limitadas hasta entonces a una minoría elitista.
Estos métodos de impacto reducido se usan en todos los aspectos de la actividad de la empresa,
desde las relaciones sociales en la empresa y fuera de ella, en la infraestructura (rutas, puentes,
campamentos), la corta, el transporte y la elaboración de la madera cortada y aun en el mantenimiento del
equipo forestal (reciclaje de aceites, armazones, etc.).
Estos métodos no sólo protegen el medio ambiente social y biológico y aseguran el porvenir de las
rotaciones siguientes, sino que también producen generalmente un aumento del rendimiento.
IFIA proporciona formación sobre estos métodos gracias a la ayuda de la Unión Europea, de la OIMT
y de USAID, pero dicha formación sigue reservada a las grandes empresas por razones financieras y de
logística.
La relación del ingeniero forestal con la fauna también está incluida en nuestros manuales y cursos de
formación (reglamento interno que prohíbe la caza furtiva, atención en las infraestructuras, eco-guardias,
cría de animales de caza, etc.). En este ámbito, las ONG especializadas prestan una ayuda muy valiosa.
En unos instantes les presentaremos el ejemplo concreto de dos sociedades establecidas en Gabón
(Rougier) y en el Congo (CIB).
4.4 Las ventajas del plan
Los conocimientos de la concesión, la planificación de la producción y los métodos forestales de impacto
reducido son decididamente las bases de la silvicultura tropical moderna, y es preciso también confesar,
modestamente, que son una revolución cultural para la gran mayoría de los bosques.
a. Una oportunidad de salvaguardar los bosques
La obligación legal del plan de manejo llevó a grandes cambios en:
- las relaciones con la administración (duración de los permisos, contactos permanentes,
especificaciones, controles, etc.)
- la mentalidad del ingeniero forestal que pasó de la mentalidad tipo «minero» a la del
inversionista a mediano/largo plazo
- la mejor integración de la población
- la mayor cooperación con el personal (formación, etc.)
- la nueva noción de la concesión como patrimonio
b. La mayor valoración del bosque
Los conocimientos de los rodales en pie permitirán planificar la comercialización y la
elaboración de maderas secundarias. Los métodos de impacto reducido llevarán a la
eliminación de una buena cantidad de desperdicio, hasta de degradación del potencial
maderero y, por lo tanto, a la mejor valoración del bosque.
c. Conocimientos del activo financiero
Este es un concepto nuevo y los instrumentos financieros no lo tienen muy en cuenta aún. Pero
es cierto que el contrato a largo plazo con el estado y los conocimientos de los rodales en pie
permitirán una valoración a beneficio de la sociedad. Dicha valoración y, eventualmente la
garantía ofrecida por la concesión misma otorgarán mucha flexibilidad a los concursos
financieros locales. Las ventajas de éstos serán que no agotarán los fondos mismos de la
empresa y mitigarán las exigencias de las garantías bancarias generalmente internacionales y
en divisas fuertes, y permitirán así a las empresas africanas desarrollarse localmente.
4.5 Dificultades de los planes
Entonces, ante todas estas ventajas, ¿por qué los industriales no se lanzan en masa y espontáneamente
a los planes de manejo?
a. Dificultades técnicas
La complejidad del medio tropical y con frecuencia, su descubrimiento, requieren operadores
y consejeros científicos de muy alto nivel de competencia. Pienso que los expertos presentes
en esta asamblea no me contradirán si digo que en los últimos 10 años hemos progresado
tanto en los conocimientos del medio forestal tropical como en el siglo precedente ¡y dicho
avance continúa! ¡Queda tanto por descubrir! Esta complejidad en la definición y aplicación de
la producción sostenible en el medio tropical sigue siendo el obstáculo número 1.
b. Dificultades financieras
El establecimiento del plan de manejo cuesta aproximadamente 5 Euros por hectárea para una
concesión de unas 200.000 hectáreas. Pero el seguimiento de los datos durante la producción
cuesta también la misma suma. Se trata de montos muy importantes, que representan el
obstáculo número 2 en la aplicación de las leyes forestales.
También es evidente que la inestabilidad política (guerras civiles o acuerdos tenues) es un
obstáculo certero a la inversión a largo plazo (25/30 años) que representa el plan de manejo.
Se entiende aquí cuánto se penaliza a los bosques tropicales en comparación con otros tipos
de bosques del mundo. El costo financiero muy elevado y que debe ser costeado en un 100%
por la empresa tropical, se transfiere con dificultad a los mercados internacionales.
c. Dificultades humanas (competencia de la mano de obra)
Hemos hablado de la complejidad científica. Debemos referirnos también a la formación
profesional de los ejecutivos y del personal. El SPG reemplazó la brújula, la computadora
reemplazó el cuaderno, la motosierra reemplazó el hacha, el equipo de arrastre sobre
neumáticos rápidos y poderosos reemplazó las orugas. Pero todas estas nuevas funciones
exigen personal competente.
Cómo es posible que los gobiernos, los donantes y las ONG pudieran exigir a las empresas
estas revoluciones culturales y técnicas aconsejables sin preocuparse de la formación del
personal que las pondría en práctica?
Por lo tanto existe un enorme déficit de formación profesional, que representa el obstáculo
número 3 de la ordenación de los bosques tropicales.
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La OIMT también tiene un papel primordial en este campo, y es precisa la cooperación con los
profesionales.
d. Un instrumento de los grandes y ricos?
El plan de manejo y su ejecución son ahora reglamentarios en los países de la Cuenca del
Congo. Pero resulta complejo y caro poner en práctica estas obligaciones en concesiones de
más de 100.000 hectáreas y, además, por el momento se ha demostrado que la planificación
de rotación de 25/30 años es imposible desde el punto de vista técnico y financiero para las
concesiones pequeñas. Me explico: Un establecimiento forestal rentable requiere un umbral
crítico del orden de los 5.000 M3/mes, es decir 60.000 M3/año. Dicho umbral es necesario para
amortizar una operación técnica mínima, como la herramienta de gestión humana y también el
campamento (viviendas, garaje, etc.). Si la producción promedio es de 10 M3 por hectárea, el
consumo anual de superficie de la concesión será de 6.000 hectáreas/año. Por lo tanto se
necesitará una concesión de unas 200.000 hectáreas para una rotación de 30 años. Estas
cifras son aproximadas, pero dan una buena idea de la superficie necesaria para establecer un
plan de manejo económicamente. ¿Es posible la agrupación cooperativa? ¿Y cómo llevar una
explotación forestal africana del ingreso a corto plazo al ingreso planificado a 25/30 años? En
todo caso, es aconsejable estudiar estos parámetros si se ha de permitir la participación de los
silvicultores nacionales en el aprovechamiento sostenible del patrimonio.
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LA ECO-CERTIFICACIÓN
Se ha hablado del aspecto técnico y financiero del plan de manejo. Ahora quisiera abordar un problema que
ha adquirido connotaciones políticas: “la eco-certificación”.
5.1 Del boicot a la certificación
De vez en cuando es bueno volver a la definición inicial de la certificación que debía tener una acción doble
como instrumento de promoción de la ordenación sostenible de los productos forestales «el consumidor,
al elegir de preferencia los productos certificados, debe asegurar la promoción de la ordenación
sostenible del bosque del cual proviene el producto».
Asimismo, «la certificación es un trámite voluntario del productor forestal que desea volver a dar
confianza al consumidor con respecto a la sustentabilidad de su gestión y así obtener una prima de
selección y, si fuera posible, una prima de precio por el producto ofrecido».
Las dos claves de la certificación eran así compatibles con el libre comercio internacional y con las
reglas de la OMC.
- La preferencia del comprador debe garantizar la promoción
- El trámite del productor es voluntario.
Surgido en Río de la mediatización de la penosa deforestación tropical, el boicot de los bosques
tropicales fue durante mucho tiempo una de las exigencias de las ONG.
En 1993, cuando las grandes ONG comprendieron cuán absurdo (diría inmoral) era boicotear uno de
los recursos de los países en desarrollo, crearon el FSC (Food Stewardship Council o Consejo de Gestión
Forestal). Los países tropicales, Malasia, Indonesia y Brasil en particular, reclamaron entonces que se
extendiera esta exigencia de certificación al conjunto de los bosques del mundo.
Retomando el dominio de este proceso, los países tropicales y la OIMT emprendieron el objetivo del
año 2000: «El 100 % del comercio mundial proveniente de bosques manejados de manera sostenible y
certificados».
Era un poco utópico pero políticamente correcto y los gobiernos, donantes, ONG y profesionales se
aferraron alegremente a este caballito de batalla que salvaría el mundo. La certificación se convirtió así en
el objetivo de todos los interesados y en la herramienta universal de promoción de la ordenación sostenible.
5.2 Los límites del sistema
Pero los profesionales conocen las limitaciones del sistema, y también las desviaciones actuales de la
herramienta de la «Certificación».
a. Garantizar la promoción de la ordenación sostenible.
Es un hecho que después de diez años de promoción de la certificación y de millones de Euros
y de dólares de Estados Unidos dedicados a estas campañas, la herramienta ha perdido buena
parte de su credibilidad como instrumento de rescate de los bosques.
Una de las principales causas de dicha pérdida de credibilidad es que se le dio prioridad a la
Certificación y no a la ordenación misma. Error cronológico, error político, error técnico y,
finalmente, error financiero:
Error cronológico: la Certificación sólo puede intervenir después de la ordenación.
Error político: la Certificación mantuvo la inequidad de trato de los bosques primarios y de los
bosques templados, es decir entre países ricos y países pobres. Además, las campañas que
no se preocupan por la oferta y se basan únicamente en la demanda se convierten en un
verdadero boicot de los productos tropicales. Nos damos cuenta que la exacerbación de las
campañas a favor de la certificación nos arrastra más de 10 años hacia el pasado, en
detrimento de los bosques tropicales y de los protagonistas locales. Los responsables de la
toma de decisiones y los consumidores deben saber que sólo el 3% de los bosques tropicales
están certificados y que en África, como acabamos de ver, ningún productor nacional
(actualmente cerca del 50% del volumen de producción) tiene posibilidades de ser certificado
en los próximos 10 años.
Finalmente, en el plano político, la multiplicación de los sistemas de certificación sembró gran
confusión en la mente de los consumidores. Es por ello que la OIMT y los gobiernos asociados,
deben seguir en su empeño por sostener el reconocimiento mutuo de los Sistemas de
Certificación y promover una etiqueta normalizada e internacional, del tipo «WOODMARK».
Error técnico: Cómo podría una herramienta que sólo cubre un pequeño porcentaje de la
producción forestal, influenciar dicha producción de manera eficiente? La parte relativa de los
mercados locales, regionales e internacionales sensibles a la certificación es muy pequeña, y
ello es aun más cierto en las zonas tropicales en que la quema y la leña constituyen la causa
principal de la deforestación, como ya hemos visto.
Error financiero: Nos parece que las sumas considerables dedicadas por los donantes a la
promoción de la certificación habrían rendido más si se las hubiera utilizado directamente en
los planes de ordenación y en ayudar a las administraciones forestales tropicales.
En este sentido, la OIMT ha tenido un papel original y pionero al concentrarse en el verdadero
problema: El bosque.
b. El papel de las ONG occidentales
A pesar de que tenemos una relación muy constructiva con las ONG del terreno tales como
UICN/CEFDHAC, WCS y WWF/CARPO que contribuyen no sólo una sensibilidad constructiva
diferente a las empresas sino también competencias concretas en los campos sociales, de la
biodiversidad y, sobre todo, de la fauna, el papel de las ONG occidentales nos parece todavía
muy ambiguo y, diría, desalentador.
Les citaré algunos ejemplos de nuestra desilusión:
- Por qué no se dan más explicaciones en los medios de información del Norte sobre la
realidad del terreno con sus inmensas complejidades debidas al fenómeno del desarrollo?
- Por qué las numerosas cooperaciones concretas entre las ONG del terreno y las empresas
no se relatan - o se relatan muy poco - en los medios informativos del Norte?
- Por qué las grandes ONG occidentales no han tomado posición en los problemas de
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fiscalidad forestal que asfixian realmente a las empresas formales y las limitan a postergar
todo trabajo social y ambiental para poder sobrevivir?
Y finalmente, por qué ciertas ONG calumnian todavía de manera arbitraria a todas las
empresas como método de promoción de sus acciones en lo que yo llamaría el «ecocomercio»?
Por qué las grandes ONG se niegan al reconocimiento mutuo de los grandes sistemas de
certificación?
Y sin embargo, la cooperación con las ONG es necesaria y todos tenemos un papel en este desafío
que representa el «desarrollo sostenible» y debería primar la importancia de lo que está en juego.
6.0
OTRA CRECIENTE EXIGENCIA: LA GOBERNANZA Y LA LEGALIDAD
Es un hecho que la gobernanza débil y las endémicas inestabilidades africanas atraen más bien
inversionistas de ética dudosa. Además, las necesidades de enriquecimiento acarrean una creciente
ilegalidad en la producción forestal. Ante esta realidad, la comunidad internacional intenta reaccionar con
un programa AFLEG (Cumplimiento de la Ley Forestal, Gobernanza y Comercio en África) de cooperación
con los Estados productores. Dicha cooperación con Estados soberanos sólo puede hacerse bajo forma de
ayuda al fortalecimiento de las administraciones con medios humanos (en número y en competencia) y con
medios técnicos. Tardará mucho en ejecutarse.
Industriales serios, reunidos en IFIA, que consideraban que eran las primeras víctimas de dichas
ilegalidades y de la consiguiente imagen negativa de la madera africana en el mercado, quisieron acelerar
el proceso AFLEGT que tardaba mucho en concretarse. Actualmente están formulando con las grandes
ONG una «certificación voluntaria de legalidad y de compromiso para con el proceso de ordenación de las
concesiones forestales». Dicha certificación, basada en un control independiente administrativo anual y en
un estudio sorpresa en el terreno, comenzará a funcionar en 2004. Permitiría calmar los mercados
consumidores y estimular a las empresas serias en sus compromisos.
Tres grandes ONG están llevando actualmente una campaña muy vigorosa en Europa sobre el
fortalecimiento de los controles de la importación y un barco que descargaba contrachapado indonesio fue
perseguido por GREENPEACE y las televisiones de Francia, Bélgica, Holanda e Inglaterra.
Estas campañas de ataques sin otra prueba que vagas sospechas, contra supuestas ilegalidades de
maderas tropicales, son únicamente represivas y, en nuestra opinión, son destructivas ya que alientan los
compradores hacia las maderas de plantación, los plásticos y los metales.
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CONCLUSIÓN
Aunque las inquietudes ambientales son aconsejables y yo diría que son necesarias, para promoverlas es
preciso cambiar el foco de la prioridad del norte al contexto tropical de los países en desarrollo.
La ordenación sostenible no podrá ser puesta en práctica por protagonistas oprimidos en un contexto
de gobernanza débil, fiscalidad galopante, y de competencia del sector informal e ilegal. Estos
protagonistas evolucionan en una competencia nacional, regional e internacional, a menudo poco
preocupada por el medio ambiente y con poca motivación o ninguna, por prestar apoyo a los costos directos
e indirectos de estos cargos suplementarios.
Por lo tanto parece aconsejable que una política internacional, particularmente por intermedio de la
OIMT, tome en consideración estas realidades y deje de lado las medidas emotivas y discriminatorias
aplicadas a la importación.
Es por ello que proponemos que los Gobiernos, los Donantes y la OIMT concentren sus acciones en
materia de medio ambiente y ética, en medidas de ayuda de cooperación eficaces y concretas, en los
países productores.
Podría ser bajo forma de ayuda bilateral o multilateral, también podría ser borrando la deuda externa (en
muchos casos el 40% del presupuesto del Estado) o por medio de créditos de carbono.
Nos parece peligroso llevar la promoción de la ordenación sostenible y de la ética solamente en base
al comercio internacional. Parece evidente a los profesionales de las maderas africanas que la demanda
creciente de los mercados nacionales y regionales africanos, que la demanda igualmente creciente de los
mercados asiáticos tales como los de China, la India y Tailandia, etc., que viene a agregarse a las
limitaciones crecientes de los mercados europeos, perturban no sólo las transacciones comerciales sino
también las inversiones europeas bajo presiones éticas y ambientales. Además, es innegable que dichas
inversiones europeas en el ámbito de los bosques y de la industrialización local de África, acarrean
influencias positivas económicas, éticas y ambientales en los países en que se establecen.
Y finalmente, el comercio internacional es como el viento: nace de la llamada entre dos zonas de
presiones diferentes. Es el vínculo entre una oferta y una demanda. Al comercio no le gustan las
limitaciones, y las corrientes de intercambios comerciales se desplazan según las ofertas y las demandas
y según la facilidad con que se desarrollan o mantienen.
Cuando las limitaciones de los únicos mercados europeos vienen a sumarse a las presiones fiscales
aplicadas a las únicas sociedades de gestión formal, se comprende la gran vulnerabilidad de las
inversiones serias en África.
A la hora en que África necesita inversionistas forestales serios y progresistas en los campos sociales,
ambientales y éticos, la comunidad internacional tiene el deber de interrogarse sobre las limitaciones de su
política, y también sobre las consecuencias de su ayuda.
El sector privado serio es, por cierto, un excelente aliado para los Donantes, en los países tropicales
aun más que en otros. Y es por ello que hacemos aquí un pedido solemne a la OIMT para que trate de
encontrar un sitio para el sector privado que no sea solamente de asesoramiento técnico sino sobre todo
un sitio como verdadero socio en la acción y realización de sus proyectos.
La ordenación forestal en África, la formación profesional, la industrialización con valor agregado, la
promoción internacional de las maderas africanas, no pueden realizarse sin la participación activa del
sector privado. La OIMT debe, por lo tanto, reservar para dicha participación un sitio decisivo.
El sector privado africano está dispuesto a aceptar el desafío de esta alianza constructiva.
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LA ORDENACIÓN SOSTENIBLE DE LOS BOSQUES TROPICALES.
EXPERIENCIAS DEL SECTOR PRIVADO: EL EJEMPLO DE LA CUENCA DEL CONGO
Por el Dr. H. L. Stoll
ex Presidente
y el Sr. J.-J. Landrot
Presidente
Es un gran honor para el Dr. Stoll y un servidor haber sido invitados por la OIMT a presentar una
introducción a este seminario de la OIMT en Kuala Lumpur. La edad acarrea el privilegio de la experiencia,
ya que hace medio siglo y 42 años respectivamente que el Dr. Stoll y yo no sólo descubrimos la zona
tropical sino que también instalamos allí empresas y, sobre todo, quedamos enamorados de la zona.
Gracias a la perspectiva que nos da esta larga experiencia podemos analizar con ustedes las
extraordinarias revoluciones culturales y técnicas de las zonas tropicales y, en particular, en África, en los
últimos diez años.
Es bien sabido que el sector forestal privado sufre ataques frecuentes:
- De los medios occidentales, que consideran que su función es destruir bosques.
- De nuestros ingenieros forestales, que consideran que nuestro papel es el del desarrollo. Pero
dicha función debe cumplirse en el respecto de las poblaciones de las aldeas y de la
naturaleza.
1.0
DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE
La noción del «desarrollo sostenible» ha pasado por una sucesión de etapas que, a lo largo de los siglos,
siguió la evolución de la concientización ambiental y, además, de la mundialización de los problemas
económicos, sociales y ambientales.
a. Una noción antigua en Europa.
En Francia por ejemplo, la primera noción de transmisión de los recursos parece remontarse a
las ordenanzas de Felipe VI de Valois, es decir, a mediados del siglo XIV.
b. El Informe Brundtland de 1987.
“El desarrollo sostenible es el desarrollo que satisface las necesidades del presente sin
comprometer la capacidad de las generaciones futuras para satisfacer sus propias
necesidades”.
c. Río, 1992
La Conferencia de Río dio mayor precisión a dicha noción: «Los recursos y las tierras
forestales deben estar manejados de manera ecológicamente viable a fin de responder a las
necesidades sociales, económicas, ecológicas, culturales y espirituales de las generaciones
presentes y futuras.»
d. Johannesburgo, 2002
Esta Conferencia (Río + 10) completó la noción ambiental al insistir en una noción que todos
los que trabajamos en el terreno conocemos bien: «No puede haber protección del medio
ambiente sin erradicación de la pobreza»
Hoy esta noción de desarrollo sostenible parece bien arraigada en las naciones del norte, y hasta
aceptada a nivel mundial, pero el ritmo de su aplicación es variado, sea ello por motivos de diferencias
culturales o, simplemente, por razones económicas atinentes al desarrollo.
En efecto, en muchos países tropicales, los bosques hacen una contribución esencial a la economía,
tanto a nivel de los ingresos financieros individuales o colectivos, como a nivel de las superficies disponibles
para otros aprovechamientos. Los métodos sostenibles exigen inversiones importantes, y la segunda
rotación es aleatoria y distante; existen otros aprovechamientos de las tierras forestales que son mucho
más lucrativos: cultivos de rotación rápida (plantas comestibles tales como mandioca, arroz, maíz, bananos,
etc.) o cultivos agro-industriales tales como las plantaciones de bananos, café, cacao, palmeras, hevea, o
los pastos, como en la Cuenca del Amazonas, etc. Se acepta que la quema para fines agrícolas y la colecta
de leña son responsables del 80 al 90% de la deforestación. Aunque la infraestructura vial forestal se ve
acusada con frecuencia de constituir el vector de dicha deforestación, resulta también indispensable para
el desarrollo de los países tropicales. La ATIBT ha examinado los papeles positivos y negativos de dichas
infraestructuras en un manual publicado en colaboración con la FAO y que podrán obtener a pedido.
Por lo tanto, la presión demográfica es un factor importante en la deforestación, y son legítimos los
temores de que el número de habitantes por debajo del umbral de pobreza ($1 dólar de Estados Unidos
por día) llevará a un futuro sombrío en los grandes macizos forestales del planeta. Por ejemplo, 80 millones
de indonesios se encuentran por debajo de dicho umbral y, si cada jefe de familia (1 de cada 10 habitantes)
desmontara actualmente una parcela de bosque de 100 M por 100 M para cultivos alimentarios, se
produciría la deforestación de 8 millones de hectáreas por año. Lo mismo sucede en América del Sur y en
África.
2.0
LOS RECURSOS AFRICANOS EN GENERAL.
2.1 Territorios de contrastes en áreas forestales y densidad de población.
Los bosques primarios húmedos y densos abarcan unos 250 millones de hectáreas. Naturalmente, con los
años, el estado de estos bosques se transformó en desarrollo económico y sobre todo, en presión
demográfica, muy diferentes.
Pueden efectuarse varias clasificaciones que, a pesar de ser cínicas, son también el reflejo de los
estados políticos, económicos y botánicos que nos permitirán, o no, establecer actividades forestales que
permitan la ordenación forestal sostenible.
a. Tierras de guerras civiles o tierras de inversión
Desafortunadamente, se puede decir hoy que cinco de los catorce países de la OAM
(Organización Africana de la Madera) están en guerra civil: Sierra Leona, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire,
República Democrática del Congo (Kinshasa) y Angola. Hasta se podría añadir que GuineaBissau, la República Centroafricana y el Congo Brazzaville se encuentran en una situación
política precaria que no resulta interesante para los inversionistas serios. Más adelante
volveremos a examinar el vínculo decisivo de la estabilidad que favorece la confianza de los
inversionistas serios. La seriedad es de por sí, la condición sine qua non de los métodos de
gestión ética, de los métodos forestales sostenibles y de las implantaciones industriales de
valor agregado. Además de los aspectos humanos catastróficos, estas guerras civiles acarrean
generalmente una pesada carga para la fauna y flora. (Por ejemplo, en el norte del Congo, en
Liberia, en la RDC, millones de refugiados invaden los bosques, cazan y desmontan para
sobrevivir).
b. Bosques o agricultura?
Países de gran presión demográfica donde existe una competencia entre la quema para fines
agrarios y la ordenación forestal sostenible. Nigeria es el país más afectado en esta categoría,
pero debemos recordar que, desde la segunda guerra mundial, Côte d’Ivoire y Ghana han
estado sujetas a la presión de los inversionistas forestales europeos que venían en busca de
materiales indispensables para la reconstrucción de Europa y, además, a una explosión
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demográfica galopante (de migración interna y de inmigración) a consecuencia de la
prosperidad económica, lo que acarreó la pérdida del 50 al 80% de la trama de bosques
primarios, en beneficio de la agricultura.
La Cuenca del Congo es una zona aún poco poblada y relativamente intacta que abarca una
superficie forestal de 150 a 204 millones de hectáreas (según la definición de bosque que se
utiliza). Dicha cuenca servirá de ejemplo concreto de lo que se ha hecho en materia de
desarrollo sostenible y de lo que también podría haberse hecho hace 50 años en los otros
países del África Occidental.
2.2 La Cuenca del Congo, un campo de experimentación
La definición de la Cuenca del Congo agrupa 7 países al norte y al sur del Ecuador, que cubren los afluentes
de uno de los más grandes ríos de África: el Congo. De norte a sur, se trata de Camerún, la República
Centroafricana, Guinea Ecuatorial, Gabón, la República del Congo Brazzaville, la República Democrática
del Congo (Kinshasa) y Angola.
Los bosques de estos países cubren aproximadamente 204 millones de hectáreas, de los cuales cerca
del 80% son bosques densos y ricos en potencial económico forestal, es decir unos 150 millones de
hectáreas.
Esta enorme superficie de bosques tropicales (la segunda después de la Cuenca del Amazonas)
presenta tres características fundamentales
a. Población forestal
Baja densidad demográfica (generalmente menos de 10 habitantes por kilómetro cuadrado) y
cientos de millares de hectáreas en Gabón con menos de 1 habitante por Km2.
En toda la Cuenca del Congo, los bantús y los pigmeos comparten la denominación
«Poblaciones aldeanas». Hasta fines del siglo XX, los pigmeos eran nómades, pero
paulatinamente se fueron haciendo sedentarios. Sólo hoy comienzan los estados africanos a
reconocer los derechos de los pueblos pigmeos que viven generalmente de la caza o de la
pesca y, algunas veces, de prestaciones agrícolas y forestales a las empresas. La complejidad
de la tarea actual es adaptar los derechos tradicionales aceptables para un pequeño número
de habitantes, a un estilo de vida y medios técnicos modernos. Esto vale para la agricultura
pero, como se imaginarán, también vale para la caza en la que las armas de alto calibre han
reemplazado las redes y los arcos y flechas.
También se están empezando a compartir las regalías obtenidas por el Estado de los ingresos
producidos por los bosques, y los derechos de las poblaciones autóctonas tuvieron un lugar
importante durante el último Congreso Forestal Mundial celebrado en Québec en 2003.
b. Riqueza de la diversidad biológica
De los 150 millones de hectáreas, unos 50 millones son adjudicados por los estados a la
producción forestal, y entre 15 y 20 millones a áreas protegidas, cuyo objetivo es mantener una
biodiversidad primaria integral. Estas cifras se suelen presentar con la reserva de la expresión
«aproximada», pues a veces las definiciones son vagas, las estadísticas estatales confusas y,
sobre todo, el respeto por las decisiones gubernamentales es aleatorio.
La biodiversidad de la zona es considerable, pues el 70 al 80% de las especies animales vive
en regiones tropicales. Por ejemplo, solamente en la Cuenca del Congo viven unas 400
especies de mamíferos (de las que 4 de cada 6 son grandes simios del mundo), 400 especies
de reptiles y más de 1.300 especies de aves.
Asimismo, la Cuenca del Congo contiene más de 10.000 especies de plantas, de las cuales
más de 3.000 son endémicas.
c. Dificultades de acceso
La relativa dificultad del acceso, sobre todo en los países que forman la Cuenca Alta del Congo
cuyos rápidos al nivel de Brazzaville/Kinshasa no permiten la salida al mar.
Lo mismo vale para Gabón cuyo relieve ha dificultado en mucho la penetración a la «segunda
zona» situada por detrás de estos macizos costeros. Dichas dificultades de acceso han
frenado el aprovechamiento de estos bosques remotos, pues aumentan la logística y los
costos. Pero, desde el punto de vista estrictamente forestal, se podría decir que ello les
permitió escapar a las grandes conquistas del desarrollo de la época pos-colonial y les brindó
la oportunidad actual de ser sostenibles.
3.0
LAS SUPERFICIES MANEJADAS
Aun si las leyes forestales exigen ahora el establecimiento de un plan de ordenación previo a la actividad
forestal de las concesiones otorgadas, la realidad es bien diferente, por motivos políticos, económicos y
técnicos que se estudiarán más abajo.
a. Zonas en curso de ordenación
A la fecha, 20 millones de hectáreas participan del proceso de ordenación, es decir que están
en curso de inventario.
b. Zonas bajo ordenación
Ya existen planes de ordenación convenidos por la administración de los estados propietarios
para 2,5 millones de hectáreas, que están bajo lo que se denomina comúnmente «producción
sostenible».
c. Zonas bajo ordenación, certificadas
El sistema holandés KEURHOUT ya ha certificado 1,6 millones de hectáreas, y los productos
obtenidos de este bosque pueden comercializarse bajo la etiqueta de dicha certificación.
Como sabrán, la certificación suele ser objeto de gran confusión en la mente de los
consumidores, así como de los responsables de las decisiones a nivel de la administración
africana. La Certificación también es objeto de polémica con ciertas ONG. Volveremos a este
problema más específicamente al final de este informe.
Varios autores también volverán sobre esta cuestión de los sistemas de Certificación. Pero nos
compete a todos la responsabilidad de obrar con miras a este reconocimiento mutuo, pues en
las zonas tropicales, lo importante no es saber si aquél sistema es mejor que éste, sino de
alentar, incitar y aun obligar a todos los operadores hacia la gestión forestal que respete la
regeneración para las futuras generaciones.
4.0 LA ORDENACIÓN FORESTAL: UNA REVOLUCIÓN ECONÓMICA Y CULTURAL
Uno de los grandes cambios de la extracción forestal proviene del paso de una conducta minera a una
verdadera ordenación planificada de los recursos.
La primera etapa de la ordenación consiste en el conocimiento del bosque.
A riesgo de que parezca presumido, aun utópico, hablar de mantenimiento de la biodiversidad de la
concesión bajo ordenación, es cierto que todos los empeños del concesionario tropical están dirigidos a
dicho objetivo.
Debido a la gran riqueza de la biodiversidad del bosque primario y a los conocimientos muy recientes
de dicha riqueza (aun de su descubrimiento), los trabajos realizados se hacen muy complejos y costosos;
es así que muchos países tropicales y sus concesionarios señalan la carga difícilmente soportable que
representan dichos costos en un ambiente de competencia internacional.
De todos modos, el proceso fue lanzado en la Cuenca del Congo por todas las grandes sociedades,
particularmente las empresas agrupadas en la «Fundación europea para la preservación de los
recursos de los bosques africanos».
He aquí las diferentes etapas:
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4.1 El conocimiento del bosque
Contrariamente a la mayoría de los otros bosques del mundo, los estados africanos - propietarios de los
bosques - derivan al concesionario la carga del establecimiento del plan de ordenación y se reservan
solamente la aprobación de dicho plan una vez elaborado.
Las etapas de dicho «conocimiento» son las siguientes:
1. definición y demarcación de la concesión, junto con la Administración
2. cartografía mediante la utilización de documentos existentes, tales como mapas nacionales,
imágenes satelitales, fotografías aéreas y aun agrimensuras efectuadas por los equipos de
inventario y SIG.
3. zonificación de la concesión por tipo de formación vegetal o por afectación, lo que permite una
primera evaluación de las zonas explotables o no (savanas, pantanos, zonas de gran valor de
biodiversidad, aldeas, bosques sagrados, cultivos agrícolas, etc.)
4. inventario de ordenación del conjunto de las superficies zonificadas indicadas arriba, en subconjuntos de la mayor homogeneidad posible.
Este inventario con tasa variable de agrimensura, pero que cubre el conjunto de la concesión,
permitirá:
- obtener mejores conocimientos de las características del medio natural y de su entorno
- identificar las características demográficas, actividades y condiciones de vida de la
población residente en la concesión o en su periferia cercana
- tomar en cuenta los derechos y usos de dicha población, e iniciar la participación más
activa posible en el momento del aprovechamiento de la concesión
- calcular las maderas comerciales actuales y aquellas que es preciso promover, por
categorías de diámetro y, si fuera posible, con una apreciación de los volúmenes
promedios y de la calidad de los árboles que se pueden extraer.
Es preciso señalar aquí que las empresas han encontrado una muy gran disparidad entre los
conocimientos sobre los bosques primarios desconocidos y los bosques templados en los que los
interesados trabajan ya hacia varias generaciones (calidades, textura, color y defectos de los árboles).
Pero se hace evidente que la seriedad de este inventario de ordenación va a determinar no solamente
la planificación de la producción sino también la planificación de todas las actividades de la empresa, su
rentabilidad y su aceptación por la población de las aldeas. Se recomienda actualmente a las empresas que
soliciten consejo (debido a la complejidad de la tarea) a expertos en ordenación y aun a las ONG del
campo.
4.2 La planificación de la producción u ordenación
Con la información sobre la concesión así obtenida, será posible realizar el trabajo administrativo con ayuda
de las computadoras.
Así se planificarán:
- series de producción (de vocación industrial)
- series de protección (no sujetas a extracción) de la biodiversidad
- series de protección social (aldeas, bosques sagrados, plantaciones, etc.)
- programación de la extracción forestal: base de corta anual según la legislación forestal (20 a
30 años, según el país)
- maderas que se extraerán (comercialización en troza o elaboración local)
- diámetro mínimo de extracción (DME, suele depender de la reglamentación, pero también está
determinado por los inventarios)
- tratamientos silvícolas específicos determinados por las especificaciones, o decididos por el
encargado de la ordenación (aclareos de futuros tallos, etc.)
- Determinación de las infraestructuras
• rutas principales
• rutas secundarias
• campamento-oficina, alojamiento, escuelas, dispensarios, etc.
• usinas
Se entiende que estas decisiones son interactivas y simultáneas. La competencia, así como los medios
financieros de la empresa, serán decisivos. Debo aquí recordarles que la ayuda prestada directamente a la
empresa por la AFD (Agencia Francesa para el Desarrollo) así como por la Unión Europea en algunos
casos por intermedio del WWF, que pusieron a disposición de las empresas importantes créditos
financieros, fueron los verdaderos disparadores de los planes de manejo.
Actualmente, los donantes y hasta ciertas ONG como el WWF y WCS que suelen desempeñarse como
defensores e intermediarios para dicha financiación, reconocen que dicha ayuda de la AFD, muy
controvertida en los años 1995 a 2000, fue beneficiosa.
4.3 Los métodos de impacto reducido
Una vez establecida la planificación comienzan las obras y, después de algunos años, tienden a
diseminarse las competencias de producción forestal, limitadas hasta entonces a una minoría elitista.
Estos métodos de impacto reducido se usan en todos los aspectos de la actividad de la empresa,
desde las relaciones sociales en la empresa y fuera de ella, en la infraestructura (rutas, puentes,
campamentos), la corta, el transporte y la elaboración de la madera cortada y aun en el mantenimiento del
equipo forestal (reciclaje de aceites, armazones, etc.).
Estos métodos no sólo protegen el medio ambiente social y biológico y aseguran el porvenir de las
rotaciones siguientes, sino que también producen generalmente un aumento del rendimiento.
IFIA proporciona formación sobre estos métodos gracias a la ayuda de la Unión Europea, de la OIMT
y de USAID, pero dicha formación sigue reservada a las grandes empresas por razones financieras y de
logística.
La relación del ingeniero forestal con la fauna también está incluida en nuestros manuales y cursos de
formación (reglamento interno que prohíbe la caza furtiva, atención en las infraestructuras, eco-guardias,
cría de animales de caza, etc.). En este ámbito, las ONG especializadas prestan una ayuda muy valiosa.
En unos instantes les presentaremos el ejemplo concreto de dos sociedades establecidas en Gabón
(Rougier) y en el Congo (CIB).
4.4 Las ventajas del plan
Los conocimientos de la concesión, la planificación de la producción y los métodos forestales de impacto
reducido son decididamente las bases de la silvicultura tropical moderna, y es preciso también confesar,
modestamente, que son una revolución cultural para la gran mayoría de los bosques.
a. Una oportunidad de salvaguardar los bosques
La obligación legal del plan de manejo llevó a grandes cambios en:
- las relaciones con la administración (duración de los permisos, contactos permanentes,
especificaciones, controles, etc.)
- la mentalidad del ingeniero forestal que pasó de la mentalidad tipo «minero» a la del
inversionista a mediano/largo plazo
- la mejor integración de la población
- la mayor cooperación con el personal (formación, etc.)
- la nueva noción de la concesión como patrimonio
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b. La mayor valoración del bosque
Los conocimientos de los rodales en pie permitirán planificar la comercialización y la
elaboración de maderas secundarias. Los métodos de impacto reducido llevarán a la
eliminación de una buena cantidad de desperdicio, hasta de degradación del potencial
maderero y, por lo tanto, a la mejor valoración del bosque.
c. Conocimientos del activo financiero
Este es un concepto nuevo y los instrumentos financieros no lo tienen muy en cuenta aún. Pero
es cierto que el contrato a largo plazo con el estado y los conocimientos de los rodales en pie
permitirán una valoración a beneficio de la sociedad. Dicha valoración y, eventualmente la
garantía ofrecida por la concesión misma otorgarán mucha flexibilidad a los concursos
financieros locales. Las ventajas de éstos serán que no agotarán los fondos mismos de la
empresa y mitigarán las exigencias de las garantías bancarias generalmente internacionales y
en divisas fuertes, y permitirán así a las empresas africanas desarrollarse localmente.
4.5 Dificultades de los planes.
Entonces, ante todas estas ventajas, ¿por qué los industriales no se lanzan en masa y espontáneamente
a los planes de manejo?
a. Dificultades técnicas
La complejidad del medio tropical y con frecuencia, su descubrimiento, requieren operadores
y consejeros científicos de muy alto nivel de competencia. Pienso que los expertos presentes
en esta asamblea no me contradirán si digo que en los últimos 10 años hemos progresado
tanto en los conocimientos del medio forestal tropical como en el siglo precedente ¡y dicho
avance continúa! ¡Queda tanto por descubrir! Esta complejidad en la definición y aplicación de
la producción sostenible en el medio tropical sigue siendo el obstáculo número 1.
b. Dificultades financieras
El establecimiento del plan de manejo cuesta aproximadamente 5 Euros por hectárea para una
concesión de unas 200.000 hectáreas. Pero el seguimiento de los datos durante la producción
cuesta también la misma suma. Se trata de montos muy importantes, que representan el
obstáculo número 2 en la aplicación de las leyes forestales.
También es evidente que la inestabilidad política (guerras civiles o acuerdos tenues) es un
obstáculo certero a la inversión a largo plazo (25/30 años) que representa el plan de manejo.
Se entiende aquí cuánto se penaliza a los bosques tropicales en comparación con otros tipos
de bosques del mundo. El costo financiero muy elevado y que debe ser costeado en un 100%
por la empresa tropical, se transfiere con dificultad a los mercados internacionales.
c. Dificultades humanas (competencia de la mano de obra)
Hemos hablado de la complejidad científica. Debemos referirnos también a la formación
profesional de los ejecutivos y del personal. El SPG reemplazó la brújula, la computadora
reemplazó el cuaderno, la motosierra reemplazó el hacha, el equipo de arrastre sobre
neumáticos rápidos y poderosos reemplazó las orugas. Pero todas estas nuevas funciones
exigen personal competente.
Cómo es posible que los gobiernos, los donantes y las ONG pudieran exigir a las empresas
estas revoluciones culturales y técnicas aconsejables sin preocuparse de la formación del
personal que las pondría en práctica?
Por lo tanto existe un enorme déficit de formación profesional, que representa el obstáculo
número 3 de la ordenación de los bosques tropicales.
La OIMT también tiene un papel primordial en este campo, y es precisa la cooperación con los
profesionales.
d. Un instrumento de los grandes y ricos?
El plan de manejo y su ejecución son ahora reglamentarios en los países de la Cuenca del
Congo. Pero resulta complejo y caro poner en práctica estas obligaciones en concesiones de
más de 100.000 hectáreas y, además, por el momento se ha demostrado que la planificación
de rotación de 25/30 años es imposible desde el punto de vista técnico y financiero para las
concesiones pequeñas. Me explico: Un establecimiento forestal rentable requiere un umbral
crítico del orden de los 5.000 M3/mes, es decir 60.000 M3/año. Dicho umbral es necesario para
amortizar una operación técnica mínima, como la herramienta de gestión humana y también el
campamento (viviendas, garaje, etc.). Si la producción promedio es de 10 M3 por hectárea, el
consumo anual de superficie de la concesión será de 6.000 hectáreas/año. Por lo tanto se
necesitará una concesión de unas 200.000 hectáreas para una rotación de 30 años. Estas
cifras son aproximadas, pero dan una buena idea de la superficie necesaria para establecer un
plan de manejo económicamente. Es posible la agrupación cooperativa? Y cómo llevar una
explotación forestal africana del ingreso a corto plazo al ingreso planificado a 25/30 años? En
todo caso, es aconsejable estudiar estos parámetros si se ha de permitir la participación de los
silvicultores nacionales en el aprovechamiento sostenible del patrimonio.
5.0 LA ECO-CERTIFICACIÓN
Se ha hablado del aspecto técnico y financiero del plan de manejo. Ahora quisiera abordar un problema que
ha adquirido connotaciones políticas: “la eco-certificación”.
5.1 Del boicot a la certificación
De vez en cuando es bueno volver a la definición inicial de la certificación que debía tener una acción doble
como instrumento de promoción de la ordenación sostenible de los productos forestales «el consumidor, al
elegir de preferencia los productos certificados, debe asegurar la promoción de la ordenación sostenible del
bosque del cual proviene el producto».
Asimismo, «la certificación es un trámite voluntario del productor forestal que desea volver a dar
confianza al consumidor con respecto a la sustentabilidad de su gestión y así obtener una prima de
selección y, si fuera posible, una prima de precio por el producto ofrecido».
Las dos claves de la certificación eran así compatibles con el libre comercio internacional y con las reglas
de la OMC.
- La preferencia del comprador debe garantizar la promoción
- El trámite del productor es voluntario.
Surgido en Río de la mediatización de la penosa deforestación tropical, el boicot de los bosques
tropicales fue durante mucho tiempo una de las exigencias de las ONG.
En 1993, cuando las grandes ONG comprendieron cuán absurdo (diría inmoral) era boicotear uno de
los recursos de los países en desarrollo, crearon el FSC (Food Stewardship Council o Consejo de Gestión
Forestal). Los países tropicales, Malasia, Indonesia y Brasil en particular, reclamaron entonces que se
extendiera esta exigencia de certificación al conjunto de los bosques del mundo.
Retomando el dominio de este proceso, los países tropicales y la OIMT emprendieron el objetivo del
año 2000: «El 100 % del comercio mundial proveniente de bosques manejados de manera sostenible y
certificados».
Era un poco utópico pero políticamente correcto y los gobiernos, donantes, ONG y profesionales se
aferraron alegremente a este caballito de batalla que salvaría el mundo. La certificación se convirtió así en
el objetivo de todos los interesados y en la herramienta universal de promoción de la ordenación sostenible.
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5.2 Los límites del sistema
Pero los profesionales conocen las limitaciones del sistema, y también las desviaciones actuales de la
herramienta de la «Certificación».
a. Garantizar la promoción de la ordenación sostenible.
Es un hecho que después de diez años de promoción de la certificación y de millones de Euros
y de dólares de Estados Unidos dedicados a estas campañas, la herramienta ha perdido buena
parte de su credibilidad como instrumento de rescate de los bosques.
Una de las principales causas de dicha pérdida de credibilidad es que se le dio prioridad a la
Certificación y no a la ordenación misma. Error cronológico, error político, error técnico y,
finalmente, error financiero:
Error cronológico: la Certificación sólo puede intervenir después de la ordenación.
Error político: la Certificación mantuvo la inequidad de trato de los bosques primarios y de los
bosques templados, es decir entre países ricos y países pobres. Además, las campañas que
no se preocupan por la oferta y se basan únicamente en la demanda se convierten en un
verdadero boicot de los productos tropicales. Nos damos cuenta que la exacerbación de las
campañas a favor de la certificación nos arrastra más de 10 años hacia el pasado, en
detrimento de los bosques tropicales y de los protagonistas locales. Los responsables de la
toma de decisiones y los consumidores deben saber que sólo el 3% de los bosques tropicales
están certificados y que en África, como acabamos de ver, ningún productor nacional
(actualmente cerca del 50% del volumen de producción) tiene posibilidades de ser certificado
en los próximos 10 años.
Finalmente, en el plano político, la multiplicación de los sistemas de certificación sembró gran
confusión en la mente de los consumidores. Es por ello que la OIMT y los gobiernos asociados,
deben seguir en su empeño por sostener el reconocimiento mutuo de los Sistemas de
Certificación y promover una etiqueta normalizada e internacional, del tipo «WOODMARK».
Error técnico: Cómo podría una herramienta que sólo cubre un pequeño porcentaje de la
producción forestal, influenciar dicha producción de manera eficiente? La parte relativa de los
mercados locales, regionales e internacionales sensibles a la certificación es muy pequeña, y
ello es aun más cierto en las zonas tropicales en que la quema y la leña constituyen la causa
principal de la deforestación, como ya hemos visto.
Error financiero: Nos parece que las sumas considerables dedicadas por los donantes a la
promoción de la certificación habrían rendido más si se las hubiera utilizado directamente en
los planes de ordenación y en ayudar a las administraciones forestales tropicales.
En este sentido, la OIMT ha tenido un papel original y pionero al concentrarse en el verdadero
problema: El bosque.
b. El papel de las ONG occidentales.
A pesar de que tenemos una relación muy constructiva con las ONG del terreno tales como
UICN/CEFDHAC, WCS y WWF/CARPO que contribuyen no sólo una sensibilidad constructiva
diferente a las empresas sino también competencias concretas en los campos sociales, de la
biodiversidad y, sobre todo, de la fauna, el papel de las ONG occidentales nos parece todavía
muy ambiguo y, diría, desalentador.
Les citaré algunos ejemplos de nuestra desilusión:
- Por qué no se dan más explicaciones en los medios de información del Norte sobre la
realidad del terreno con sus inmensas complejidades debidas al fenómeno del desarrollo?
- Por qué las numerosas cooperaciones concretas entre las ONG del terreno y las empresas
no se relatan - o se relatan muy poco - en los medios informativos del Norte?
- Por qué las grandes ONG occidentales no han tomado posición en los problemas de
fiscalidad forestal que asfixian realmente a las empresas formales y las limitan a postergar
todo trabajo social y ambiental para poder sobrevivir?
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Y finalmente, por qué ciertas ONG calumnian todavía de manera arbitraria a todas las
empresas como método de promoción de sus acciones en lo que yo llamaría el «ecocomercio»?
Por qué las grandes ONG se niegan al reconocimiento mutuo de los grandes sistemas de
certificación?
Y sin embargo, la cooperación con las ONG es necesaria y todos tenemos un papel en este desafío
que representa el «desarrollo sostenible» y debería primar la importancia de lo que está en juego.
6.0 OTRA CRECIENTE EXIGENCIA: LA GOBERNANZA Y LA LEGALIDAD
Es un hecho que la gobernanza débil y las endémicas inestabilidades africanas atraen más bien
inversionistas de ética dudosa. Además, las necesidades de enriquecimiento acarrean una creciente
ilegalidad en la producción forestal. Ante esta realidad, la comunidad internacional intenta reaccionar con
un programa AFLEG (Cumplimiento de la Ley Forestal, Gobernanza y Comercio en África) de cooperación
con los Estados productores. Dicha cooperación con Estados soberanos sólo puede hacerse bajo forma de
ayuda al fortalecimiento de las administraciones con medios humanos (en número y en competencia) y con
medios técnicos. Tardará mucho en ejecutarse.
Industriales serios, reunidos en IFIA, que consideraban que eran las primeras víctimas de dichas
ilegalidades y de la consiguiente imagen negativa de la madera africana en el mercado, quisieron acelerar
el proceso AFLEGT que tardaba mucho en concretarse. Actualmente están formulando con las grandes
ONG una «certificación voluntaria de legalidad y de compromiso para con el proceso de ordenación de las
concesiones forestales». Dicha certificación, basada en un control independiente administrativo anual y en
un estudio sorpresa en el terreno, comenzará a funcionar en 2004. Permitiría calmar los mercados
consumidores y estimular a las empresas serias en sus compromisos.
Tres grandes ONG están llevando actualmente una campaña muy vigorosa en Europa sobre el
fortalecimiento de los controles de la importación y un barco que descargaba contrachapado indonesio fue
perseguido por GREENPEACE y las televisiones de Francia, Bélgica, Holanda e Inglaterra.
Estas campañas de ataques sin otra prueba que vagas sospechas, contra supuestas ilegalidades de
maderas tropicales, son únicamente represivas y, en nuestra opinión, son destructivas ya que alientan los
compradores hacia las maderas de plantación, los plásticos y los metales.
7.0 CONCLUSIÓN
Aunque las inquietudes ambientales son aconsejables y yo diría que son necesarias, para promoverlas es
preciso cambiar el foco de la prioridad del norte al contexto tropical de los países en desarrollo.
La ordenación sostenible no podrá ser puesta en práctica por protagonistas oprimidos en un contexto de
gobernanza débil, fiscalidad galopante, y de competencia del sector informal e ilegal. Estos protagonistas
evolucionan en una competencia nacional, regional e internacional, a menudo poco preocupada por el
medio ambiente y con poca motivación o ninguna, por prestar apoyo a los costos directos e indirectos de
estos cargos suplementarios.
Por lo tanto parece aconsejable que una política internacional, particularmente por intermedio de la
OIMT, tome en consideración estas realidades y deje de lado las medidas emotivas y discriminatorias
aplicadas a la importación.
Es por ello que proponemos que los Gobiernos, los Donantes y la OIMT concentren sus acciones en
materia de medio ambiente y ética, en medidas de ayuda de cooperación eficaces y concretas, en los
países productores.
Podría ser bajo forma de ayuda bilateral o multilateral, también podría ser borrando la deuda externa
(en muchos casos el 40% del presupuesto del Estado) o por medio de créditos de carbono.
Nos parece peligroso llevar la promoción de la ordenación sostenible y de la ética solamente en base
al comercio internacional. Parece evidente a los profesionales de las maderas africanas que la demanda
creciente de los mercados nacionales y regionales africanos, que la demanda igualmente creciente de los
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mercados asiáticos tales como los de China, la India y Tailandia, etc., que viene a agregarse a las
limitaciones crecientes de los mercados europeos, perturban no sólo las transacciones comerciales sino
también las inversiones europeas bajo presiones éticas y ambientales. Además, es innegable que dichas
inversiones europeas en el ámbito de los bosques y de la industrialización local de África, acarrean
influencias positivas económicas, éticas y ambientales en los países en que se establecen.
Y finalmente, el comercio internacional es como el viento: nace de la llamada entre dos zonas de
presiones diferentes. Es el vínculo entre una oferta y una demanda. Al comercio no le gustan las
limitaciones, y las corrientes de intercambios comerciales se desplazan según las ofertas y las demandas
y según la facilidad con que se desarrollan o mantienen.
Cuando las limitaciones de los únicos mercados europeos vienen a sumarse a las presiones fiscales
aplicadas a las únicas sociedades de gestión formal, se comprende la gran vulnerabilidad de las
inversiones serias en África.
A la hora en que África necesita inversionistas forestales serios y progresistas en los campos sociales,
ambientales y éticos, la comunidad internacional tiene el deber de interrogarse sobre las limitaciones de su
política, y también sobre las consecuencias de su ayuda.
El sector privado serio es, por cierto, un excelente aliado para los Donantes, en los países tropicales
aun más que en otros. Y es por ello que hacemos aquí un pedido solemne a la OIMT para que trate de
encontrar un sitio para el sector privado que no sea solamente de asesoramiento técnico sino sobre todo
un sitio como verdadero socio en la acción y realización de sus proyectos.
La ordenación forestal en África, la formación profesional, la industrialización con valor agregado, la
promoción internacional de las maderas africanas, no pueden realizarse sin la participación activa del
sector privado. La OIMT debe, por lo tanto, reservar para dicha participación un sitio decisivo.
El sector privado africano está dispuesto a aceptar el desafío de esta alianza constructiva.
SESSION 1 – AFRICA
CASE PAPERS
CHAIRMAN: MIMBIMI ESANO
EXPERIENCE DE LA CONGOLAISE INDUSTRIELLE DES BOIS (CIB)
EN MATIERE DE GESTION DURABLE DES FORETS
EXPERIENCES OF THE CONGOLAISE INDUSTRIELLE DU BOIS (CIB)
IN SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT
EXPERIENCIA DE LA EMPRESA CONGOLAISE INDUSTRIELLE DES BOIS (CIB)
EN MATERIA DE ORDENACIÓN FORESTAL SOSTENIBLE
Y. Dubois and D. Paget
Congolaise Industrielle du Bois (CIB)
SUMMARY
The Congolese forest covers 22 million hectares, i.e. about two thirds of the national territory and represents the second
largest economic resource after oil. Since 1974, Congo has opted to engage in the responsible management of its
forests, by adopting a plan for the establishment and utilisation of forests based on large-scale concessions with 30 to
40 year rotations to ensure a sustained production of timber. Having taken into account the handicaps and the
weaknesses of the forest sector, the Government promulgated the Law n°16/2000 of 20 November 2000 to establish
the Forest Code, laying down new guidelines aimed at the rational management of the whole forest ecosystem in order
to derive greater benefits for the present and future generations.
Congolaise Industrielle du Bois (CIB) is based in the North of the Republic of Congo, and forms part of TT Timber
Group. It was assigned five forest concessions - Pokola, Kabo, Toukoulaka, Loudoungou, Pikounda - representing a
total area of approximately 1 300 000 hectares, including non exploitable marshy lands covering more than a quarter of
the area. Its activities, i.e. forest development, processing and marketing of timber, are distributed between four main
sites: Pokola, the main base, 13.000 inhabitants, is located 45 km downstream from Ouesso on the Sangha river,
tributary of the Congo River, where the administration, sawmills and general services are installed; Kabo, 2 500
inhabitants, with two sawmills and two forest camps - Ndoki 1 with 1 200 inhabitants and Ndoki Mokobo with 1 000
inhabitants - which is where the forestry activities originate. CIB employs approximately 1 600 people. To process its
production, it has five sawmills - 3 in Pokola and 2 in Kabo - kilns with a 2.000 m3 capacity and a moulding plant.
CIB’s total production in 2002 reached 330 000 m3 of logs, 75 000 m3 of green and dry lumber and 2 500 m3 of
planed products (round mouldings, skirtings, round poles). The processing rate reached approximately 70 %. Exports
amounted to 83 000 m3 of logs, 62.000 m3 of green and dry lumber and 2 500 m3 of planed products. The species mainly
used are Sapele, Sipo, Ayous, Bossé, Tiama, Iroko, Mahogany, Wengué and Doussié. CIB’s sales turnover reached
approximately 50 million dollars in 2002 and its investments amounted to approximately 5 million dollars per annum
during the last 5 years.
Development of partnerships: Within the framework of this new policy, CIB is developing partnerships for the
sustainable management of its concessions. Two of its concessions are located on the frontier with the Nouabalé Ndoki
National Park and are thus of fundamental importance for the management of wildlife. Within these concessions there
is a significant diversity of species and habitats. This is the reason why it proved necessary to establish a framework of
cooperation and a dialogue between various stakeholders to ensure sustainable ecosystem management and
biodiversity conservation within the concessions allotted to CIB, in the form of a memorandum of understanding signed
in 1999 by the Ministère de l’Economie forestière, CIB and the Wildlife Conservation Society NGO (WCS).
Development of a management plan by CIB: With the assistance of national and international experts and in
association with all the stakeholders, CIB is preparing an integrated plan of forest management in accordance with
internationally recognized and nationally prescribed standards of sustainable forest management. The plan, which
should be completed and implemented gradually as of 2005, includes all the necessary components for sustainable
management: a forestry component, a component for wildlife and biodiversity conservation, a socio-economic
component defining the social conditions regarding workers, local populations and the socio-economic development of
the areas, a component for the planning and development of forest product processing and a staff training component.
In parallel, CIB has undertaken several original activities: management of fauna, reduced impact logging, the social
development of its sites, and of the villages in its concessions and the region. All these activities are only possible
through a permanent joint action of all the stakeholders: forest companies, administrations, NGOs, indigenous
populations, workers and donors, many of which are involved in the projects of this company.
Reduced impact logging: This makes it possible to use the forest resource economically and to minimize the impact
of logging, in particular through the introduction of appropriate felling techniques, management inventories associated
with a Geographical Information System, the definition of logging standards, procedures for the recovery of logging
residues, and through studies on the mechanisms of natural forest regeneration and reforestation activities.
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Wildlife management: This is achieved in cooperation with WCS and the Congolese Government, based on the
design of a programme encompassing wildlife management, monitoring and protection, awareness raising among the
workers and the indigenous populations, provision of sources of proteins other than game meat by adapting the
company’s rules of procedure to integrate the principles regarding wildlife management and infringements by hunting.
The establishment of ‘ecoguards’ or Special Poaching Control Units (USLAB) makes it possible to control game
consumption and limit poaching, thus ensuring the long-term conservation of fauna.
Social development of the forest base and the region: This is essentially based on assistance to the workers, which
takes the form of settlement agreements and follow-up committees, establishment and maintenance of social
infrastructures (living accommodation, schools, health centres, cooperative stores), studying and initiating alternative
activities aimed at developing agriculture, craft and trade, and developing specific support programs for semi-nomadic
populations such as Pygmies.
CIB’s commitment:To achieve the sustainable management of its forest concessions, CIB has a proactive policy:
• It has subscribed to a declaration committing itself to constantly improve its socio-economic and
environmental performances, called the “the green leaf strategy”;
• It is co-signatory to the Code of ethics for the sustainable management of concession forests in Africa
developed by IFIA (Inter-African Forest Industry Association) and, for this reason, it is audited periodically;
• It has developed a programme of successive improvements of its forest management and the traceability
of its products, audited periodically by SGS.
Conclusion: CIB has developed and is implementing a vast programme to ensure the sustainable management of
forest resources by utilizing the forest heritage in a rational manner; thus taking part in the development of the Congo
and in the fight against poverty. Forest planning ensures the conservation of the natural resource heritage and a better
management of the environment, while allowing the forest industry to be economically profitable. The development of
forest activities brings about the creation of jobs, training activities and a better utilisation of forest products. To achieve
these objectives, CIB needs an effective partnership between all the stakeholders.
RESUME
La forêt congolaise. Elle couvre 22 millions d’hectares, soit près des deux tiers du territoire national et constitue au plan
économique la deuxième ressource après le pétrole. Depuis 1974, le Congo a opté pour une gestion responsable de
ses forêts, en adoptant un schéma d’aménagement et d’exploitation des forêts basé sur des concessions de grandes
dimensions avec des rotations de 30 à 40 ans garantissant une production soutenue de bois. Après avoir pris en compte
les handicaps et les faiblesses du secteur forestier, le Gouvernement a dans la loi n° 16/2000 du 20 novembre 2000
portant Code forestier, défini de nouvelles orientations visant une gestion rationnelle de l’ensemble des écosystèmes
forestiers en vue d’en tirer un plus grand bénéfice pour les générations actuelles et futures.
La Congolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB). Basée au Nord de la République du Congo, elle est une société du tt
Timber Group. Elle est attributaire de cinq concessions forestières - Pokola, Kabo, Toukoulaka, Loudoungou, Pikounda
- représentant une superficie totale d’environ 1 300 000 hectares y compris des zones marécageuses inexploitables qui
représentent plus du quart de la surface. Ses activités, exploitation forestière, transformation et commercialisation du
bois, sont réparties en quatre sites principaux: Pokola, la base principale, 13 000 habitants, est située à 45 km en aval
de Ouesso sur la rivière Sangha, affluent du Congo, où sont installés l’administration, des scieries, les services
généraux; Kabo, 2 500 habitants, où sont implantées deux scieries, et les campements forestiers de Ndoki 1 avec 1 200
habitants, et de Ndoki Mokobo avec 1 000 habitants, à partir desquels se fait l’exploitation forestière. La CIB emploie
environ 1 600 personnes. Pour transformer sa production, elle dispose de cinq scieries - 3 à Pokola et 2 à Kabo - de
séchoirs d’une capacité de 2.000 m3 et d’une installation de moulurage.
La production totale de la CIB s’est élevée en 2002 à 330 000 m3 de grumes, 75 000 m3 de débités verts et secs
et 2 500 m3 de produits rabotés (moulures, lambris, bâtons ronds). Le taux de transformation a atteint environ 70 %.
Les exportations se sont élevées à 83 000 m3 de grumes, 62 000 m3 de débités verts et secs et 2 500 m3 de produits
rabotés. Les principales essences exploitées sont le Sapelli, le Sipo, l’Ayous, le Bossé, le Tiama, l’Iroko, l’Acajou, le
Wengué et le Doussié. Le chiffre d’affaires de la CIB s’est élevé à environ 50 millions de dollars en 2002 et ses
investissements à environ 5 millions de dollars par an au cours des 5 dernières années.
Le Développement de partenariats. Dans le cadre de cette nouvelle politique, la CIB développe des partenariats
pour la gestion durable de ses concessions. Deux de ses concessions sont situées en bordure du Parc National de
Nouabalé Ndoki et ont donc une importance fondamentale pour la gestion de la faune. Ces concessions comportent en
elles-mêmes une biodiversité et des habitats importants. C’est pourquoi, il s’est avéré nécessaire de mettre en place un
cadre de collaboration et de concertation entre différents intervenants pour une gestion durable des écosystèmes et la
conservation de la biodiversité dans les concessions attribuées à la CIB, sous la forme d’un protocole d’accord signé
en 1999 entre le Ministère de l’Économie Forestière, la CIB et l’ONG Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
La CIB élabore un plan d’aménagement. La CIB est entrain de préparer, avec le concours d’experts nationaux et
internationaux, en associant toutes les parties prenantes, un plan d’aménagement forestier intégré suivant les standards
de gestion durable des forêts, internationalement reconnus et prescrits au niveau national. Ce plan qui devrait être
terminé et mis en œuvre progressivement à partir de 2005, comprend toutes les composantes nécessaires à une
gestion durable: un volet forestier, un volet conservation de la faune et de la biodiversité, un volet socio-économique
définissant la dimension sociale des travailleurs et des populations locales et le développement socio économique des
régions, un volet planification et développement avec la transformation des produits forestiers et la formation du
personnel.
Parallèlement, la CIB a commencé à déployer plusieurs activités originales: la gestion de la faune, l’exploitation
forestière à impact réduit, le développement social de ses sites, des villages de ses concessions et de la région. Toutes
ces actions ne sont possibles que par une action concertée permanente entre toutes les parties prenantes: sociétés
forestières, administrations, ONG, populations autochtones, travailleurs et bailleurs de fonds qui sont nombreux à
s’impliquer dans les projets de cette entreprise.
L’exploitation forestière à impact réduit. Elle permet d’économiser la ressource forestière et de minimiser l’impact de
l’exploitation forestière notamment par l’instauration de techniques d’abattage appropriées, l’inventaire d’exploitation
associé à un Système d’Information Géographique, la définition de normes d’exploitation, de procédures pour la
récupération des déchets dus à l’activité forestière, et par des études sur les mécanismes de régénération naturelle des
forêts et des actions de reboisement.
La gestion de la faune. Réalisée en collaboration avec WCS et le Gouvernement Congolais, elle est basée sur la
conception d’un programme de gestion, de suivi et de protection de la faune, la sensibilisation des travailleurs et des
populations autochtones, la fourniture de protéines alternatives à la viande de chasse avec une adaptation du règlement
intérieur de la société intégrant les principes de gestion de la faune et les infractions en matière de chasse. La mise en
place d’écogardes ou d’Unités Spéciales de Lutte Anti-Braconnage (USLAB), permet un contrôle de la consommation
du gibier et la limitation du braconnage, assurant ainsi une conservation à long terme de la faune.
Le développement social de la base forestière et de la région. Il est basé principalement sur une assistance aux
travailleurs qui prend la forme d’accords d’établissement et de comités de suivi, sur la mise en place et la maintenance
d’infrastructures sociales (logements, écoles, centres de santé, économats), l’étude et la mise en place d’activités
alternatives visant à développer l’agriculture, l’artisanat et le commerce, et l’élaboration de programmes d’appui
spécifiques pour les populations semi-nomades comme les Pygmées.
Les engagements de la CIB. Pour parvenir à une gestion durable de ses concessions forestières, la CIB a une
politique volontariste:
• Elle a souscrit une déclaration d’engagement pour une amélioration continue des performances socioéconomiques et environnementales, la stratégie de « la feuille verte »;
• Elle est cosignataire du code de déontologie de la gestion durable des concessions forestières en Afrique
élaboré par IFIA (Association Interafricaine des Industries Forestières) et à ce titre, elle est auditée
périodiquement;
• Elle a élaboré un programme d’améliorations successives de sa gestion forestière et de traçabilité de ses
produits, contrôlé périodiquement par SGS.
Conclusion. La CIB a élaboré et met en œuvre un vaste programme pour garantir une gestion durable des
ressources forestières en utilisant rationnellement le patrimoine forestier; elle participe ainsi au développement du
Congo et à la lutte contre la pauvreté. L’aménagement assure la conservation du patrimoine des ressources naturelles
et une meilleure gestion de l’environnement, tout en permettant une industrie forestière économiquement rentable. Le
développement de l’activité forestière apporte la création d’emplois, la formation et une meilleure utilisation des produits
forestiers. Pour mener à bien ces objectifs, la CIB a besoin d’un partenariat effectif entre toutes les parties prenantes.
RESUMEN
El bosque congoleño: El bosque congoleño cubre un área 22 millones de hectáreas, que representa alrededor de dos
tercios del territorio nacional y constituye el segundo recurso económico después del petróleo. Desde 1974, el Congo
ha optado por una ordenación responsable de sus bosques, adoptando un sistema de manejo y explotación forestal
basado en concesiones de extensas dimensiones con turnos de rotación de 30 a 40 años para garantizar una
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producción sostenida de madera. Consciente de las deficiencias y falencias del sector forestal, el Gobierno promulgó
la Ley No. 16/2000 del 20 de noviembre de 2000 que contiene el Código Forestal, en el cual se definen nuevas
directrices para una gestión racional de la totalidad de los ecosistemas forestales con miras a producir mayores
beneficios para las generaciones presentes y futuras.
La empresa Congolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB): Situada en el norte de la República del Congo, esta empresa
es una sociedad del grupo industrial TT Timber Group. La empresa tiene adjudicadas cinco concesiones forestales
(Pokola, Kabo, Toukoulaka, Loudoungou, Pikounda), con una superficie total de alrededor de 1.300.000 hectáreas que
comprenden zonas pantanosas inexplotables, las cuales representan más de un cuarto de la extensión total. Sus
actividades de explotación forestal, transformación y comercialización de madera, se distribuyen en cuatro localidades
principales: Pokola, la sede principal, con 13.000 habitantes, situada a 45 km de Ouesso río abajo a lo largo del
Sangha, un afluente del Congo, donde se encuentran instaladas las oficinas administrativas, los aserraderos y las
instalaciones de servicios generales; Kabo, con una población de 2.500 habitantes, donde se hallan instalados dos
aserraderos; y los campamentos forestales de Ndoki 1, con 1.200 habitantes, y Ndoki Mokobo, con 1.000 habitantes,
a partir de los cuales se lleva a cabo la explotación forestal. CIB emplea a aproximadamente 1.600 personas. Para
transformar su producción, dispone de cinco aserraderos (3 en Pokola y 2 en Kabo), hornos con una capacidad de
2.000 m3 y una planta de molduras.
La producción total de CIB en 2002 ascendió a 330.000 m3 de trozas, 75.000 m3 de tablones de madera verde y
seca, y 2.500 m3 de productos cepillados (molduras, tableros para revestimientos, postes redondos). La tasa de
transformación asciende a aproximadamente un 70%. Las exportaciones son de 83.000 m3 de trozas, 62.000 m3 de
tablones de madera verde y seca, y 2.500 m3 de productos cepillados. Las principales especies explotadas son: Sapelli,
Sipo, Ayous, Bossé, Tiama, Iroko, Acajou, Wengué y Doussie. En el año 2002, el volumen de ventas de CIB ascendió
a 50 millones de dólares con inversiones anuales de aproximadamente 5 millones de dólares durante los últimos cinco
años.
Desarrollo de alianzas: En el marco de esta nueva política, CIB establece alianzas para la gestión sostenible de
sus concesiones. Dos de estas concesiones son linderas con el Parque Nacional de Nouabalé Ndoki y, por lo tanto,
tienen una importancia fundamental para la ordenación de la fauna. Estas concesiones contienen una gran diversidad
de especies y hábitats. Por esta razón, fue necesario establecer un marco de colaboración y concertación entre las
diferentes partes interesadas para una ordenación sostenible de los ecosistemas y la conservación de la biodiversidad
en las concesiones adjudicadas a CIB mediante un memorando de acuerdo firmado en 1999 entre el Ministerio de
Economía Forestal, CIB y la ONG Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
CIB elabora un plan de manejo: Con la ayuda de expertos nacionales e internacionales y en cooperación con
todas las partes interesadas, CIB está preparando un plan de manejo forestal integrado compatible con las normas de
ordenación forestal sostenible reconocidas a nivel internacional y estipuladas a nivel nacional. Este plan, que debe
finalizarse y ejecutarse gradualmente a partir de 2005, comprende todos los componentes necesarios para la
ordenación sostenible: un componente forestal, un componente de conservación de la fauna y la biodiversidad, un
componente socioeconómico en el que se define la dimensión social de los trabajadores y las poblaciones locales y el
desarrollo socioeconómico de la región, y un componente de planificación y desarrollo con la transformación de
productos forestales y la formación de personal.
Paralelamente, CIB ha comenzado a desplegar varias actividades originales: manejo de fauna, técnicas de
explotación forestal de impacto reducido y el desarrollo social de sus áreas de actividad y de las comunidades
residentes en sus concesiones y en la región. Todas estas actividades sólo son posibles mediante la concertación
permanente entre todas las partes interesadas: sociedades forestales, administraciones, ONGs, poblaciones
indígenas, trabajadores y donantes de fondos, muchos de los cuales participan en los proyectos de esta empresa.
Explotación forestal de impacto reducido: La extracción de impacto reducido permiten economizar el
aprovechamiento de los recursos forestales y minimizar el impacto de la explotación forestal, especialmente con la
aplicación de técnicas apropiadas de tala, el inventario de la explotación vinculado a un sistema de información
geográfica, la definición de normas de explotación, procedimientos para la recuperación de desechos generados por la
actividad forestal, y estudios sobre los mecanismos de regeneración natural de los bosques y actividades de
reforestación.
Ordenación de la fauna: La ordenación de la fauna se lleva a cabo en colaboración con la WCS y el Gobierno del
Congo en base a la elaboración de un programa de ordenación, seguimiento y protección de fauna, la sensibilización
de los trabajadores y de las poblaciones indígenas y la provisión de fuentes de proteínas alternativas para reemplazar
la carne de caza, con la adaptación del reglamento interno de la sociedad para integrar los principios de ordenación de
la fauna y las infracciones en materia de caza. El empleo de guardas ecológicos o Unidades Especiales de Lucha
contra la Caza Ilegal (Unités Spéciales de Lutte Anti-Braconnage - USLAB) permite controlar el consumo de animales
de caza y limitar la caza ilegal, asegurando de ese modo la conservación de la fauna a largo plazo.
Desarrollo social de la base forestal y de la región: Este proceso se basa principalmente en la prestación de ayuda
a los trabajadores mediante acuerdos de asentamiento y comités de seguimiento; el establecimiento y mantenimiento
de infraestructura social (alojamientos, escuelas, centros de salud, economatos); el estudio y desarrollo de actividades
alternativas con miras a desarrollar la agricultura, la actividad artesanal y el comercio; y la elaboración de programas
de apoyo específicos para las poblaciones seminómades como los pigmeos.
Compromisos de CIB: Para lograr la ordenación sostenible de sus concesiones forestales, la empresa CIB ha
adoptado una activa política:
- Ha suscrito una declaración comprometiéndose a asegurar el mejoramiento constante de su rendimiento
socioeconómico y ambiental, conocida como la estrategia de la “hoja verde”;
- Es co-signataria del código de deontología para la ordenación sostenible de concesiones forestales en
África, elaborado por la IFIA (Asociación Interafricana de Industrias Forestales) y, por tal motivo, se
realizan auditorías periódicas de la empresa;
- Ha elaborado un programa de mejoramiento sucesivo de su manejo forestal y de la posibilidad de rastreo
de sus productos, lo cual es controlado periódicamente por SGS.
Conclusión: CIB ha elaborado y puesto en práctica un vasto programa para garantizar la ordenación sostenible
de los recursos forestales mediante la utilización racional del patrimonio forestal. De este modo, la empresa participa
en el desarrollo del Congo y en la lucha contra la pobreza. La ordenación asegura la conservación del patrimonio de
recursos naturales y una mejor gestión del medio ambiente, permitiendo una industria forestal económicamente
rentable. El desarrollo de la actividad forestal garantiza la creación de empleos, la capacitación y una mejor utilización
de los productos forestales. Para lograr estos objetivos, CIB necesita establecer una alianza eficaz entre todas las
partes interesadas.
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1.0 CONTEXTE
Le Bassin du Congo représente le second massif forestier tropical humide au monde avec une superficie
de plus de 150 millions d’hectares de forêts denses. Il comprend 16 millions d’hectares d’aires protégées et
25 millions d’hectares de concessions forestières engagées dans la gestion durable des forêts dont 1,6
millions sont déjà certifiés Keurhout. Le Congo avec ces 22 millions d’hectares de forêts denses représente
une part importante de ce massif. C’est un trésor de biodiversité en faune et flore et il joue donc un rôle
primordial pour l’environnement mondial.
La CIB a, depuis quelques années, pris réellement conscience de la nécessité de gérer durablement
les concessions forestières qui lui sont attribuées afin d’en tirer le meilleur parti pour les populations vivant
actuellement au Congo ainsi que pour les générations futures.
A une exploitation de type minier se substitue une gestion forestière responsable dans le cadre de la
législation forestière congolaise suivant quelques axes principaux permettant de sauvegarder
l’environnement et d’améliorer les conditions de vie du pays. Ainsi, l’utilisation des revenus de la forêt
permet:
- un développement durable du pays (réduction de la pauvreté, amélioration des conditions de
santé et d’éducation, participation au fonctionnement de l’Etat et, éventuellement,
remboursement de la dette);
- une gestion forestière durable avec un développement industriel (créations d’emplois,
formation, valeur ajoutée),
Une gestion forestière responsable va donc se faire en partenariat avec toutes les parties prenantes et
avec un souci constant de durabilité. Elle est basée sur:
- Le respect de la législation forestière;
- L’aménagement durable de la forêt qui comprend:
- un volet forestier comprenant un inventaire forestier d’aménagement, une cartographie
forestière, des études écologiques et le développement de techniques d’exploitation à
impact réduit;
- un volet conservation de la faune et de la biodiversité;
- un volet socio-économique définissant la dimension sociale et culturelle des travailleurs et
des populations locales et le développement socio économique des régions;
- un volet planification et développement avec la transformation des produits forestiers et la
formation du personnel.
2.0
LA GESTION FORESTIÈRE PERMET UN BÉNÉFICE POUR TOUTE LA POPULATION PAR LE
RESPECT D’UNE FISCALITÉ FORESTIÈRE ÉQUILIBRÉE
Le respect d’une fiscalité forestière équilibrée permet à la République du Congo de tirer un bénéfice « direct
» par la collecte de taxes qui vont alimenter le trésor public. Cette fiscalité est définie de manière à donner
aux entreprises une nécessaire compétitivité sur le marché international où elles sont en concurrence avec
les bois tropicaux d’autres origines, d’autres bois tempérés et d’autres matériaux tels que l’aluminium et le
plastique.
Elle contribue au fonctionnement de tous les services publics de la Nation (salaires des fonctionnaires,
infrastructures de communications, de santé et d’éducation), mais aussi à financer directement le
développement des départements et des expériences pour la conservation à long terme de la forêt.
3.0
LA GESTION FORESTIÈRE RESPONSABLE DE LA CIB EXIGE L’ÉLABORATION DE PLANS
D’AMÉNAGEMENT DE CHACUNE DE SES CONCESSIONS
La gestion durable qui garantit l’exploitation économique de la forêt et la pérennité de l’écosystème forestier
est un principe appliqué depuis longtemps dans les forêts des pays développés de l’hémisphère Nord.
La complexité et la méconnaissance des écosystèmes forestiers tropicaux expliquent l’absence
actuelle de modèles reconnus garantissant une exploitation pérenne des forêts tropicales. La gestion
durable s’élabore donc progressivement, en s’appuyant sur de nouvelles études des ressources forestières
et en intégrant le contexte socio-économique des pays tropicaux.
La plupart des pays africains producteurs de bois tropicaux, réunis au sein de l’Organisation Africaine
du Bois ont décidé de gérer durablement leurs forêts et de définissent des normes d’aménagement propres
à la région et à chaque pays.
Les exploitants forestiers sont appelés à jouer un rôle essentiel dans la mise en place d’une gestion
durable et rentable des forêts. Consciente de ce nouveau défi et des enjeux économiques, la Congolaise
Industrielle des Bois (CIB) s’est engagée, avec l’administration forestière congolaise, dans la voie de
l’aménagement des forêts qui lui sont concédées. Cet aménagement a pour but de planifier sur le long
terme les activités d’exploitation, de manière à assurer un approvisionnement régulier en bois, en associant
le développement socio-économique lié à l’exploitation et la conservation des écosystèmes forestiers.
Ce projet d’aménagement des unités forestières de la CIB, réalisé en collaboration avec les bureaux
d’études FRM1 et TWE2 et une ONG internationale, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), est un des projets
pilotes qui serviront de modèle pour l’aménagement des forêts du nord du Congo. Il a reçu un soutien
financier du ministère allemand de la coopération et du développement (GTZ).
Il constitue l’élément moteur du développement forestier durable car ce projet engage la société
forestière dans de multiples aspects. Il insiste sur deux notions principales: le respect de
l’environnement et la réduction de la pauvreté par le développement du pays.
Toutes les sociétés qui ont signé avec l’Etat des contrats d’aménagement et de transformation ont
l’obligation d’élaborer puis de mettre en œuvre des plans d’aménagement qui au Congo revêtent des
aspects multiples et insistent particulièrement sur les notions de « partenariat » et de « durabilité ».
4.0 PAR CES PLANS, LA CIB S’ENGAGE À EXPLOITER LA FORÊT « DURABLEMENT »
Ce type d’exploitation permet de conserver le potentiel forestier pour les générations futures, d’utiliser les
ressources forestières le plus parcimonieusement possible, en ayant des rendements corrects, en
développant la transformation, et en faisant bénéficier les populations locales.
Cette politique engendre des coûts supplémentaires qui demandent un important investissement
préalable à l’exploitation.
5.0
POUR METTRE EN ŒUVRE CETTE NOUVELLE POLITIQUE, LA CIB S’ASSOCIE À DES
PARTENAIRES, TOUTES LES « PARTIES PRENANTES »
Tout d’abord, avant de commencer à élaborer les plans d’aménagement, la CIB a signé un protocole
d’accord avec l’Etat congolais, propriétaire de la forêt congolaise, définissant les conditions d’élaboration
de ces plans en liaison étroite avec tous les partenaires intéressés: l’Etat, les ONG, les populations locales.
L’avis d’experts compétents est requis et des comités de suivi périodiques réunissent tous les
partenaires, à savoir l’administration forestière, les autres administrations intéressées (administration du
territoire, environnement, agriculture, la société forestière, les populations locales, les travailleurs, les ONG
nationales et internationales).
6.0
LA CIB ÉLABORE DES PLANS D’AMÉNAGEMENT POUR SES CONCESSIONS EN VISANT LA
CONSERVATION DE L’ENVIRONNEMENT ET LE DÉVELOPPEMENT SOCIAL ET ÉCONOMIQUE
DU PAYS
Elle fait notamment les activités suivantes:
1Etude
2Appui
inventaire des ressources forestières et fauniques et cartographie;
gestion de la faune;
exploitation à impact réduit;
développement social et économique.
de faisabilité du projet d’aménagement (Forest Resource Management, 2000)
technique permanent pour l’élaboration des plans d’aménagement (Tropical Wood Environment, Demarquez, 2002)
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On peut noter que les activités de gestion de la faune, d’exploitation à impact réduit et les activités
sociales sont traitées d’une manière originale à la CIB et seront détaillées dans ce document.
7.0
PRESENTATION DE LA CIB
7.1 Généralités
La Congolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB) est présente au Congo depuis plus d’un quart de siècle sous sa
forme actuelle. Elle tire son origine du rachat des sociétés cinquantenaires SFS et IBOCO, fusionnées et
restructurées. La CIB s’est encore agrandie en rachetant en 1997 la SNBS de Kabo en difficultés.
La CIB représente actuellement l’activité industrielle la plus importante du Nord Congo. Elle exploite la
forêt, transforme et commercialise le bois.
Avec l’installation de séchoirs et de raboteuses, la CIB a commencé en 2000 à se lancer dans la
deuxième transformation, permettant la fabrication de produits à plus forte valeur ajoutée locale.
La CIB est une société du tt Timber Group (www.tt-timber.com).
7.2 Concessions forestières de la CIB
La CIB est attributaire de cinq concessions forestières: 4 Unités Forestières d’Aménagement (UFA) Pokola, Kabo, Toukoulaka, Loundoungou - et 1 Unité Forestière d’Exploitation (UFE) - Pikounda représentant une superficie totale d’environ 1 300 000 hectares y compris des zones marécageuses
inexploitables qui représentent environ un quart de la surface. Seules les UFA de Pokola, Kabo,
Toukoulaka, Loudoungou sont actuellement exploitées. L’exploitation de l’UFA de Loudoungou vient de
débuter en 2003.
Les activités de la CIB sont réparties en quatre sites principaux:
- Pokola, la base principale, village de 13 000 habitants est située à 45 km en aval de Ouesso
sur la rivière Sangha, affluent du Congo, où sont installés l’administration, la scierie principale,
le garage et le magasin général;
- Kabo, 2 500 habitants, situé à 60 km en amont de Ouesso sur la rivière Haute Sangha où est
implantée une scierie;
- et les campements forestiers de Ndoki 1 avec 1 200 habitants, et de Ndoki Mokobo avec 1 000
habitants, à partir desquels se fait l’exploitation forestière.
Les évacuations des produits du bois sont coûteuses car Pokola est très éloigné d’un port: à 1 270 km
de Douala au Cameroun par route et rail et à 1 500 km de Pointe Noire au Congo par le fleuve et le rail.
7.3 Effectifs
La CIB emploie environ 1 600 personnes.
L’encadrement de la CIB comporte 20 cadres et agents de maîtrise congolais.
Transformation des grumes
Pour transformer sa production la CIB dispose:
- de cinq scieries: 3 à Pokola et 2 à Kabo; l’installation d’une sixième scierie est prévue dans
l’UFA de Loudoungou;
- de séchoirs d’une capacité de 2000 m3 et une installation de moulurage à Pokola.
Le taux de transformation a atteint environ 70 %.
7.4 Production et exportations
La production totale de grumes s’est élevée à 324 000 m3 en 2003. Les principales essences exploitées
sont le Sapelli, le Sipo, l’Ayous, le Bossé, le Tiama, l’Iroko, l’Acajou, le Wengué et le Doussié.
Les exportations de grumes se sont élevées à 84 000 m3 et ont été assurées à 15 % par le port de
Pointe Noire et à 85 % par le port de Douala.
La CIB a produit 66 0000 m3 de bois débités verts, 20 300 m3 de bois débités secs et 2 400 m3 de
produits rabotés ou moulurés (moulures, lambris, bâtons ronds,etc.), en majeure partie exportés. Dans la
situation actuelle des moyens de transport, il y a pour les produits séchés et semi-finis, une obligation
technique de les transporter en totalité par camion à Douala. Ces produits ne permettent pas une longue
durée de transport, un stockage ou une rupture de charge en Afrique, car le bois séché reprend de
l’humidité, ce qui fait courir le risque que l’utilisateur final refuse les lots.
7.5 Chiffre d’affaires et investissements
Le chiffre d’affaires de la CIB s’est élevé à 45 millions d’Euros en 2002.
La CIB renouvelle régulièrement son matériel et a augmenté sa capacité de production au cours des
dernières années, investissant par an plus de 10 % de son chiffre d’affaires. Les investissements se sont
élevés à environ 5 millions d’Euros par an depuis 5 ans.
7.6 Actions sociales
La CIB implante sur ses sites d’exploitation toutes les infrastructures nécessaires à ses employés:
logements, centre de santé, dépôt pharmaceutique, écoles primaires, économat, et sur les plus importants
tels que Pokola et Kabo: CEG, et - les locaux nécessaires aux administrations - commissariat de police,
bureau de douanes, bureau des Eaux et Forêts, du Commerce, des Impôts et de l’Agriculture. La CIB
assure également le logement de tous les fonctionnaires de ces administrations.
7.7 Déchets de bois:
La CIB n’a pas d’utilisation actuellement pour les sciures. Les déchets de bois débités sont, soit brûlés dans
la chaudière qui alimente les séchoirs, soit utilisés pour produire du charbon de bois ou pour alimenter des
fours à briques.
7.8 Produits combustibles et chimiques
La CIB utilise environ 10.000 m3 de gasoil et 200 m3 d’essence par an.
Pour le traitement des grumes et des bois débités, pour éviter les champignons, les piqûres et la
décoloration, du cérémule et des produits de traitement peu toxiques pour l’environnement sont utilisés.
7.9 Réseau routier interne
En 2003, le réseau routier créé par la CIB en territoire congolais dépassera les 500 km. Il permet
actuellement d’approvisionner la région de la Likouala et permettra en 2005 de faire la jonction entre la
Sangha et la Likouala via Macao sur la rivière Motaba.
7.10 Perspectives d’avenir
La CIB suit plusieurs orientations afin d’améliorer sa rentabilité et l’utilisation de la ressource:
- Augmentation progressive de sa production de produits transformés.
- Définition de la production d’avenir: l’inventaire des 5 concessions et leurs plans
d’aménagement vont être déterminants pour définir le volume de grumes exploitées et leur
type de transformation dans le futur.
- Obtention d’un certificat internationalement reconnu comme garantie d’exploitation rationnelle
de la ressource forestière.
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8.0
INVENTAIRE D’AMENAGEMENT OU INVENTAIRE STATISTIQUE DES RESSOURCES
FORESTIERES DES UNITES FORESTIERES D’AMENAGEMENT (UFA) ATTRIBUEES A LA CIB
Pour mettre en exécution la politique nationale en matière d’inventaire et d’aménagement, le Ministère de
l’Economie Forestière et de l’Environnement (MEFE ) et la CIB ont initié dès 2001 un programme
d’inventaire statistique des ressources forestières des Unités Forestières d’Aménagement (UFA) attribuées
à la CIB.
Le principal objectif de cet inventaire, appelé inventaire d’aménagement, est d’estimer les ressources
de chaque UFA en bois d’œuvre et en produits forestiers secondaires, afin de déterminer les possibilités
d’extraction, en fonction du potentiel de renouvellement. Les travaux d’inventaire (plans de layonnage,
récolte, saisies et traitements des données) ont été réalisés par la Cellule Aménagement de la CIB à
Pokola, avec un appui technique permanent du bureau d’études TWE (Tropical Wood Environment) basé
à Libreville.
et inventaire d’aménagement concerne principalement les arbres de plus de 20 cm de diamètre et,
pour les essences principales, les tiges de 5 à 20 cm qui représentent la régénération. Parallèlement à cet
inventaire des arbres, les principaux produits forestiers autres que le bois d’œuvre3 utilisés par les
populations locales ont été recensés.
Un inventaire de la faune sauvage et des activités humaines en forêt a été réalisé en collaboration avec
une ONG de conservation de la nature, WCS, qui est, avec le Ministère de l’Economie Forestière et de
l’Environnement partenaire de la CIB dans le Projet de Gestion des Ecosystèmes Périphériques du Parc
National de Nouabalé Ndoki (PROGEPP). Ce projet a été financé en partie par l’OIBT.
9.0
MÉTHODE D’INVENTAIRE D’AMÉNAGEMENT FORESTIER
9.1 Echantillonnage
Il s’agit d’un inventaire systématique, avec un taux de sondage de 1% pour les arbres de plus de 40 cm
dhp4, de 0,5 % pour les arbres de 20 à 40 cm dhp, et de 0,2 % pour la régénération (tiges de 5 à 20 cm
dhp) des essences principales.
L’inventaire est effectué sur des layons parallèles et équidistants de 2,5 km, généralement orientés
Est-Ouest, perpendiculairement au réseau hydrographique principal.
L’unité d’échantillonnage est la parcelle. Les parcelles sont contiguës et implantées uniquement en
forêts mixtes de terre ferme qui constituent les forêts de production de bois d’œuvre. Une parcelle mesure
25 mètres de large centrée sur le layon (12,5 m de part et d’autre du layon) et généralement 200 mètres
de long. En fin de layon ou en limite de la forêt mixte de terre ferme, la longueur de la parcelle est adaptée
et peut varier de 50 à 249 m (Demarquez, 2002). Sur chaque parcelle, la pente est mesurée au clisimètre
tous les 25 mètres.
9.2 Inventaire des arbres
Sur chaque parcelle:
- tous les arbres ≥ 40 cm dhp sont inventoriés sur toute la parcelle;
- tous les arbres de 20 à 40 cm dhp (les “petits arbres”) sont inventoriés sur les 100 premiers
mètres de la parcelle (100 x 25 m).
Pour chaque arbre, l’essence est identifiée par son nom pilote ou son nom vernaculaire (pygmée
babenzélé). La liste des essences a été révisée par Wilks (2002 et 2003), botaniste spécialiste de la flore
forestière d’Afrique centrale.
Le diamètre est mesuré par classes de 10 cm, jusqu’à 150 cm. Les diamètres ≥ 150 cm sont regroupés
dans une classe unique. La mesure du diamètre est effectuée au compas forestier, à 1,3 mètre du sol ou
au-dessus des contreforts.
Une note de qualité du fût variant de 1 à 4 est attribuée aux arbres de plus de 40 cm dhp, uniquement
pour les essences principales.
3aussi
dénommés « Produits Forestiers Non Ligneux »
mesuré à hauteur de poitrine (1,3 m) ou au-dessus des contreforts
4diamètre
9.3 Inventaire de la régénération
L’inventaire de la régénération ne concerne que les vingt essences principales. Dans chaque parcelle, les
arbres de 5 à 20 cm dhp sont inventoriés sur une bande de 5 m de large à droite du layon. Pour chaque
tige, l’essence est identifiée et le diamètre est mesuré par classes de 5 cm, à 1,30 m de hauteur.
9.4 Inventaire de la faune
Le long des layons, les indices de présence de grands mammifères (crottes, nids, cris… ou observation
directe) et les signes d’activité humaine de chasse et de braconnage (douille, pièges, campement…) sont
enregistrés selon les méthodes standardisées du line-transect adoptées par les organismes de
conservation en Afrique Centrale (White et Edwards, 2000).
9.5 Inventaire des produits forestiers secondaires
La présence de Produits Forestiers Autres que le Bois d’œuvre est notée dans chaque parcelle, sur une
bande de 5 m de large à droite du layon.
9.6 Observations du milieu
Des informations sur le milieu forestier sont recueillies tous les 50 mètres sur la parcelle. Ces informations
concernent:
- la texture du sol observée en surface;
- l’ouverture de la canopée ou densité du couvert des arbres;
- l’abondance des herbacées, des arbustes et des lianes;
9.7 Organisation des équipes et déroulement de l’inventaire
L’organisation du travail de terrain est présentée en détail dans le protocole d’inventaire d’aménagement de
la CIB (Demarquez, 2002).
Les équipes d’inventaire sont composées de la manière suivante:
- 6 équipes de layonnage constituées de: 1 boussolier, 1 chaîneur, 1 aide-chaîneurs, 3
machetteurs, 2 porteurs;
- 3 équipes d’inventaire des arbres constituées de: 1 chef d’équipe, 1 pointeur, 3 compteurs
prospecteurs, 1 aide chaîneur, 3 porteurs;
- 3 équipes d’inventaire de la régénération et des PFAB constituées de: 1 chef d’équipe pointeur,
1 guide prospecteur, 1 porteur;
- 3 équipes d’inventaire de la faune constituée de: 1 chef d’équipe pointeur, 1 guide prospecteur,
1 porteur.
Les chefs d’équipes et les prospecteurs pour l’inventaire des arbres ont reçu une formation de quatre
mois, de décembre à mars 2001, sous la responsabilité du botaniste de la cellule aménagement CIB (G.
Kossa Kossa). Les chefs d’équipes et les guides de l’inventaire de la faune ont bénéficié d’une formation
organisée par WCS.
Les campagnes en forêt ont duré 25 jours en moyenne entrecoupées de 5 à 6 jours de repos. Lors des
travaux d’inventaire, les vivres sont fournis gratuitement; en contrepartie toute chasse est strictement
interdite.
Les rendements journaliers demandés étaient de 2,5 km pour les équipes de layonnage et de 4 km
pour les équipes d’inventaire. Sur 18 jours de travail effectif (hors déplacements, jours de pluies…), les
rendements mensuels requis étaient donc respectivement de 45 et 72 km.
9.8 Contrôle du travail d’inventaire
La qualité du travail d’inventaire a été vérifiée tous les mois par un contrôle interne dirigé par le botaniste
de la cellule aménagement CIB. Au total, 3% des parcelles ont été contrôlés pour les arbres et la
régénération.
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Deux contrôles indépendants ont été effectués par Chris Wilks, expert international spécialiste des
inventaires et de la flore forestière d’Afrique centrale (Wilks, 2002 et 2003). Les résultats montrent que la
qualité du travail d’inventaire est satisfaisante, les erreurs de terrain étant de l’ordre de 3% pour les
essences principales.
9.9 Cartographie par télédétection
Des cartes de stratification forestières ont été élaborées par Laporte et Lin (2003), chercheurs en
télédétection au Woods Hole Research Center (Boston, USA). Le but de cette stratification est de faciliter
l’analyse spatiale de données d’inventaire.
9.10 Matériel et méthode
Les cartes forestières sont basées sur l’analyse d’images satellitales LANDSAT ETM+. Chaque image est
géoréférencée, sa résolution spatiale est de 30 mètres et sa précision géographique de l’ordre de 60
mètres. La projection utilisée est UTM zone 33 - ellipsoïde de référence WGS84.
Chaque image a été classée par la méthode dite “non supervisée”, suivant une série de paramètres
statistiques spécifiés par l’opérateur (Laporte et Lin, 2003). Une classification automatique divise ensuite
l’image en différentes catégories qui sont interprétées en terme de type de végétation, en utilisant
principalement des informations de terrain et la vidéographie. Les bandes 3 (rouge), 4 (proche infrarouge),
5 et 7 (moyen infrarouge) ont été utilisées.
9.11 Résultats
Des cartes de stratification forestière, validées en avril 2003 par une collection de données de terrain et
aéroportées, distinguent 8 classes ou strates:
les forêts mixtes à canopée fermée;
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les forêts mixtes à canopée ouverte;
les forêts mixtes à canopée très ouverte et à sous-bois de Marantaceae;
les forêts mono dominantes de limbali (Gilbertiodendron dewevrei);
les forêts inondées ou marécageuses et les marécages;
les sols nus regroupant les villages et les routes;
les zones agricoles regroupant les plantations anciennes et récentes;
l’eau.
Des estimations des taux de déboisement sont obtenus autour des centres d’habitations pour la
période 1990-2000 (Pokola, Kabo). Le suivi des défrichements agricoles facilite leur contrôle et permet de
mieux analyser les besoins alimentaires des populations humaines vivant sur les concessions de la CIB.
Une cartographie des routes forestières des concessions CIB a été faite sur la base d’images
satellitaires entre 1970 et 2000. Elle contribue à l’élaboration du réseau routier national.
Un indice d’exploitation forestière est obtenu (estimation du nombre d’arbres abattus par unité de
surface) sur la base d’images satellitaires.
9.12 Construction de tarifs de cubage
Des tarifs de cubage ont été élaborés pour les 19 essences les plus couramment exploitées. Il s’agit de
tarifs à une entrée qui donnent à partir du diamètre de l’arbre une estimation de son volume fût, c’est-à-dire
du volume du tronc du haut des contreforts jusqu’à la première grosse branche.
Deux méthodes de cubage ont été utilisées (Demarquez, 2002):
- le cubage des arbres abattus sur les chantiers d’exploitation;
- le cubage des arbres sur pied, à l’aide du Relascope de Bitterlich.
Au total, 4711 arbres de diamètres ≥ 40 cm dhp ont été mesurés.
La méthode de calcul utilisée pour la construction des tarifs est l’analyse de la covariance, qui explique
une variable quantitative (le volume) par une variable quantitative (le diamètre) et des variables qualitatives
(l’essence et le site);
Un tarif de cubage « toutes essences » a été construit sur l’ensemble des données récoltées pour les
19 essences. La méthode de calcul utilisée est la régression par moindres carrés.
9.13 Résultats de l’inventaire d’aménagement
Au total, pour l’ensemble des concessions de la CIB:
-
1% de la surface des forêts des terres ferme a été inventoriés;
7 415 km de layon d’inventaire ont été ouverts;
772 902 arbres ont été mesurés et identifiés sur 19 580 parcelles d’inventaire
près de 250 essences arbres ont été répertoriées.
Concernant les ressources en bois d’œuvre, les inventaires d’aménagement apportent de précieuses
informations sur notamment:
-
la composition des peuplements, en essences et en familles botaniques, leur diversité;
la fréquence et la distribution spatiale des essences, pour les arbres et la régénération;
les effectifs (nombre d’individus) par essences et par classes de diamètres;
la surface terrière du peuplement et des essences;
les volumes par essences déterminés à partir des tarifs de cubage.
Concernant le milieu et la faune, les inventaires donnent:
- des indications sur le type de sol et la structure du couvert végétal;
- une estimation d’abondance des populations animales.
Les données d’inventaires sont intégrées dans un Système d’Information Géographique (SIG) pour
notamment:
- éditer des cartes de distribution des essences, de densités, de volumes;
- rechercher les relations entre les types de forêts identifiés par télédétection et la structure des
peuplements;
- analyser l’effet de l’exploitation forestière sur la structure et la composition des forêts car
certaines Unités Forestière d’Aménagement concédées à la CIB (UFA de Kabo, Pokola et
Toukoulaka) ont déjà été exploitées à 70% pour le bois d’œuvre.
- déterminer les zones de forte biodiversité, notamment animales, qui pourront faire l’objet de
mesure spéciales d’aménagement.
La composition floristique des peuplements forestiers varie sensiblement sur les concessions de la CIB
qui s’étendent sur plus de 200 km du Nord au Sud. Ainsi par exemple, les arbres de la famille des Ulmaceae
sont plus abondants au Nord et ceux de la famille des Papilionaceae plus abondants au Sud. Certaines
essences, tel que l’ayous, présentent une distribution spatiale agrégative et peuvent ainsi être très
abondantes dans certains secteurs et totalement absent dans d’autres.
Selon le type de forêt, la densité des peuplements (arbres ≥ 20 cm dhp) varie de 83 à 135 arbres par
hectare et la surface terrière varie de 18 à 23 m2 par hectare. L’exploitation forestière n’a pas d’effets
significatifs sur la densité et la composition en essences des peuplements. En revanche, la surface terrière
est sensiblement plus faible dans les zones exploitées.
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Selon les zones et en fonction de l’exploitation, de 30 à 40% des arbres de plus de 80 cm dhp
appartiennent aux essences principales dont 7 à 12% de ces arbres sont des sapelli (Entandrophragma
cylindricum) ou des sipo (Entandrophragma utile). Parmi les essences secondaires, les plus courantes sont
l’essia (Petersianthus macrocarpus), l’ohia (Celtis ssp.), le limbali (Gilbertiodendron dewevei).
Les zones présentant les plus fortes diversités d’habitats, c’est-à-dire riches en points d’eau (lacs et
étang) et en forêts secondaires issues de l’exploitation du bois d’œuvre, recèlent les plus fortes densités
animales.
Les informations tirées de l’inventaire constituent la base de l’aménagement forestier. Elles permettent
notamment de:
- délimiter des zones à protéger particulièrement riches en espèces;
- identifier les essences rares qui seraient éventuellement menacées par une exploitation pour
le bois d’œuvre;
- identifier des types de forêts ou des essences qui pourraient avoir des problèmes de
régénération;
- de prédire, à partir des structures diamétriques, l’évolution des effectifs et des volumes par
essences, après exploitation;
Ces critères permettent de définir certains paramètres essentiels de l’aménagement forestier:
- la rotation, c’est-à-dire la durée entre deux exploitations;
- le diamètre minimum d’exploitabilité par essence;
- les volumes à exploiter.
10.0 EXPERIENCE DE LA CONGOLAISE INDUSTRIELLE DE BOIS EN MATIERE DE GESTION ET
PROTECTION DE LA FAUNE
Les concessions forestières en limite du Parc National de Nouabalé-Ndoki (UFA de Kabo, Loundoungou et
Mokabi au Nord) ont une importance fondamentale pour la gestion de la faune. Il s’est donc avéré
nécessaire de mettre en place un cadre de collaboration et de concertation entre les différents intervenants
pour une gestion durable des écosystèmes et la conservation de la biodiversité.
En juillet 1999, la CIB signe un protocole d’accord avec le Ministère de l’Economie Forestière et une
ONG (WCS) pour mettre en place le Programme de Gestion des Ecosystèmes Périphériques au Parc
Nouabalé-Ndoki (PROGEPP) tout en définissant les responsabilités et les obligations de chacun des
partenaires.
Le Ministère de l’Economie forestière et le WCS assurent l’exécution et la gestion du projet qui
comprend une cinquantaine d’agents (chercheurs, éducateurs, écogardes,…). La CIB apporte un soutien
logistique au projet.
Le projet est basé notamment sur:
- la conception d’un programme de gestion de la faune et d’un programme de suivi,
- la sensibilisation des travailleurs et des populations autochtones à la nécessité d’une gestion
de la faune;
- leur formation ainsi que celle des élèves des écoles à la connaissance des espèces protégées
et à la nécessité d’un prélèvement rationnel du gibier;
- la définition d’un zonage de la chasse avec des zones réservées pour la conservation et des
domaines de chasse réservés aux populations de chaque village et aux communautés
pygmées;
- la réalisation d’inventaires fauniques permettant d’estimer les densités de populations
animales et de définir les zones de chasse et de conservation.
- l’interdiction d’exporter de la viande de site à site ou de village à village;
- un programme de protection de la faune avec la mise en place d’écogardes visant à limiter le
braconnage par des postes de contrôle et des patrouilles volantes;
- éventuellement, par le développement de la chasse safari touristique qui permet un bon
contrôle et un bon suivi dans les zones concernées.
- A reçu un soutien financier de l’OIBT avec des contributions substantielles de la CIB, de WCS
et du Ministère de l’Economie Forestière et de l’Environnement.
10.1 Volets développés par le PROGEPP
Le PROGEPP développe 4 volets principaux: la recherche, la sensibilisation et l’éducation à la
conservation, les activités alternatives et la protection de la faune.
10.2 Volet Recherche:
Comprend les activités suivantes:
-
reconnaissance écologique (inventaire faune);
suivi socio-économique des populations humaines;
suivi de la chasse et des entrées de viande dans les sites (consommation par ménage);
suivi des activités des grands mammifères dans les clairières.
10.3 Volet Sensibilisation et éducation à la conservation:
- création de clubs de nature pour les enfants;
- formation des instituteurs;
- organisation de réunions villageoises autour des thèmes suivants:
- l’idée de la gestion de la faune
- les études menées pour mieux organiser la gestion de la faune
- les principes de gestion adoptés par le PROGEPP
- la loi congolaise sur la chasse (notamment les espèces protégées)
- la promotion des activités alternatives (élevage, maraîchage…)
- les moyens de répression contre le braconnage (brigades d’écogardes) et les sanctions
encourues.
10.4 Volet Activités alternatives:
- développement de filières d’approvisionnement en bœufs en provenance du Cameroun ou de
la RCA
- organisation de la filière bovine à Pokola avec la construction d’un abattoir et d’une boucherie
- développement de la pisciculture à Pokola avec la création de 18 bassins de Tilapias
- appui technique et assistance aux éleveurs traditionnels de volailles (fourniture de vaccins, de
grillage, suivi des élevages);
- développement d’élevages de poulets de chair (assistance technique, fourniture de matériel et
d’intrants à prix coûtant, suivi des élevages);
- assistance aux pêcheurs (fourniture de matériel à prix coûtant);
- développement d’élevages d’ovins et caprins (construction de bergerie et mise en place d’un
système de métayage);
- développement du maraîchage (fourniture de semences à prix coûtant, assistance technique).
- développement d’élevages pilotes (athérures, lapins, escargots-achatines…)
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Le développement des activités alternatives est conçu à travers l’identification d’acteurs existants et le
renforcement (si souhaité) de leur activité. Le PROGEPP apporte essentiellement un appui technique,
organise l’approvisionnement en divers produits revendus à prix coûtants et expérimente la possibilité de
développer d’autres activités.
10.5 Politique de gestion de la faune:
La politique définie pour la gestion de faune s’appuie sur la loi congolaise concernant la chasse de
subsistance:
- interdiction de chasser les espèces intégralement protégées (éléphant, gorille, chimpanzé,
bongo…);
- interdiction d’utiliser des pièges à câbles métalliques.
Le PROGEPP en concertation avec la CIB et les populations locales a défini un zonage dans les
concessions CIB (zones de chasse attribuée pour chaque site de la société, zones de chasse villageoises,
zones protégées) et a introduit l’interdiction d’exporter le gibier d’un site à l’autre de la société.
Le contrôle du droit d’accès à une zone se fait au moyen d’un badge remis à chaque chasseur en règle
vis à vis de l’administration des Eaux et Forêts. Sur le badge figurent le nom et la photo d’identité du
détenteur du permis de chasse, les références du permis de chasse et du fusil et la zone de chasse
autorisée (Pokola, Kabo, Ndoki 1 ou Ndoki 2).
D’autre part, un système de chasses organisées a été mis en place pour les employés CIB qui résident
notamment à Pokola. Un groupe de chasseurs accompagnés d’agents du PROGEPP peut chasser dans
une zone définie en empruntant un véhicule CIB. Le nombre de cartouches est limité à quatre par chasseur.
L’efficacité de la chasse est mesurée et la nature du gibier est relevée pour déterminer la richesse
potentielle de la zone et les rotations de chasse.
Les actions de protection de la faune sont exécutées par sept équipes de surveillance constituées de
36 écogardes encadrés par des agents du Ministère de l’Economie Forestière et de l’Environnement.
Les écogardes sont recrutés parmi les populations locales. Ils reçoivent une formation générale et
paramilitaire de quelques semaines avant de prendre leur fonction. Les écogardes sont armés et organisés
en équipes qui permutent aux postes de contrôle et patrouillent dans les UFA.
Les logements des écogardes sont éloignés des bases vie pour éviter les conflits et un système
permanent d’évaluation permet de lutter contre la corruption, l’abus de pouvoir et d’apprécier l’impartialité
des écogardes en cas de conflit.
10.6 Implication de la CIB dans la politique de gestion de la faune
Conformément au protocole d’accord du 02 juin 1999, CIB a fournit les infrastructures nécessaires au
fonctionnement du PROGEPP (logements, véhicule de patrouille, postes et barrières de contrôle des
véhicules…) et finance en partie la protection de la faune dans le cadre du PROGEPP.
Une obligation fondamentale pour la mise en place du PROGEPP fut la révision du règlement intérieur
de la société pour y intégrer les principes de gestion de la faune et définir le barème de sanctions
appropriées. La révision du règlement intérieur a demandé plusieurs mois de négociations avec les
syndicats d’entreprise et les comités syndicaux régionaux pour conclure un accord intervenu en décembre
1999. Cet accord est intervenu à condition que la CIB et le PROGEPP s’engagent à développer des
mesures d’accompagnement (activités alternatives) et à se soumettre régulièrement à des comités de suivi.
10.7 Règlement intérieur de la CIB
La CIB a modifié son règlement intérieur pour intégrer les principes de gestion de la faune et intégrer les
sanctions en matière de chasse. Ainsi:
- un employé CIB en règle en matière de chasse (permis et arme en règle) peut emprunter les
véhicules de transport CIB pour se rendre sur la zone où il a le droit de chasser. Pour le retour,
un quota maximal de trois gibiers par chasseur est autorisé.
- Les chauffeurs ont le droit et le devoir de vérifier ce qu’ils embarquent dans leur véhicule. Ils
doivent se soumettre au contrôle des écogardes.
- la circulation des véhicules après 22 heures est interdite sauf mandat écrit.
Par ailleurs, les véhicules privés qui empruntent le réseau routier CIB doivent signer un protocole de
règlement avec la Direction. Un véhicule privé appréhendé pour transport d’une espèce protégée est
immédiatement immobilisé pour un temps indéterminé. La loi congolaise prévoit la confiscation du véhicule.
Le procès verbal est adressé à la direction départementale de l’Economie Forestière et au Tribunal de
Grande Instance qui fixent le montant de l’amende. A titre d’exemple, un véhicule de liaison d’un de nos
transporteurs fut immobilisé un mois pour transport d’ivoire et le propriétaire dû payer cinq millions
d’amende pour récupérer son véhicule.
Les écogardes aux postes de contrôle permettent de réduire tout genre de trafic (pièces détachées,
carburant…) permettant des économies non négligeables pour l’entreprise. Pour limiter les trafics non
contrôlés, les routes secondaires sont barrées dès que l’exploitation d’une zone est terminée.
Lorsqu’un braconnier est appréhendé, son arme est saisie et un procès verbal de constat d’infraction
est dressé par le chef de brigade. Le Procès Verbal et l’arme sont ensuite transmis à la direction
départementale de l’Economie Forestière pour être transigé. Si la personne en infraction est un agent de
CIB, un Procès Verbal est également adressé à la Direction de la CIB qui sanctionne conformément au
règlement intérieur de la société.
Les sanctions pour infractions en matière de chasse prévues par le règlement intérieur sont assez
fortes afin d’être dissuasives:
avertissement et blâme écrit pour transport de braconniers ou de produits de chasse non autorisés;
- mise à pied de trois jours pour non-respect des barrières de contrôle, compromission dans
l’organisation de la chasse ou braconnage.
- mise à pied de huit jours pour chasse dans une aire intégralement protégée.
Toute récidive entraîne une sanction supérieure et ce jusqu’au licenciement. Les mises à pieds
amputent les primes de rendement et suppriment la gratification de fin d’année.
En 2003, environ 150 procès verbaux ont été dressés, dont 54 contre des agents CIB qui ont été
sanctionnés conformément au règlement intérieur de la société. Deux licenciements ont été prononcés.
10.8 La prospection
Une note de service de la CIB (23 septembre 1999) définit clairement ce qui est autorisé aux prospecteurs
en matière de chasse. Ainsi, la chasse doit être pratiquée conformément à la réglementation en vigueur
(permis de chasse et arme en règle, pièges interdits…) et n’est autorisée que dans certaines zones. Cette
limitation pose néanmoins le problème du suivi des équipes et du surcoût de leur nourriture.
Pour l’inventaire d’aménagement, grâce à des financements complémentaires, les vivres nécessaires
aux travaux en forêts étaient fournis gratuitement et toute chasse était strictement interdite.
10.9 Les Importations
La CIB apporte un appui aux opérateurs privés pour l’importation de bœufs et de produits alimentaires
congelés, afin d’assurer la sécurité alimentaire des ayants droits de la société (les travailleurs et de leur
famille) et de limiter la pression de chasse dans les UFA. La CIB participe en facilitant le transport et en
mettant à la disposition des ces importateurs des moyens adaptés comme des boutiques réfrigérées.
En 2003, 150 bœufs ont été importés à Pokola, avec en moyenne environ un bœuf abattu tous les
deux jours. Pour la même période, 100 tonnes d’aliments congelés ont été importées à Pokola où quatre
chambres froides sont opérationnelles. La consommation moyenne mensuelle est de 7 à 8 tonnes de
produits congelés.
Par ailleurs, dans le cahier des charges d’installation de la CIB, la société est tenue de construire des
économats dans chacun de ses sites. Ces économats fournissent les produits de première nécessité à des
prix concurrentiels et permettent de présenter des produits alternatifs au gibier.
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Ces importations garantissent un approvisionnement régulier en protéines animales et diminuent
sensiblement la consommation de viande de brousse (WCS, 2003).
10.10 Participation aux activités expérimentales pour fournir des protéines à la population
La CIB finance en partie les activités alternatives à la chasse et la cellule aménagement participe à leur
encadrement. Ainsi, la CIB soutient les activités de pisciculture, les élevages de poulets et d’ovins et le
maraîchage. Ces activités s’auto développent dès lors qu’elles deviennent rentables et que les prix de vente
des produits deviennent concurrentiels avec le gibier. Ce but ne peut être atteint qu’en mettant en place une
structure et des moyens d’éducation et de répression adaptés.
Un bilan des activités alternatives est régulièrement réalisé avec les différents acteurs concernés
(direction et syndicats CIB, représentant des villageois et des chasseurs, WCS, MEFE, direction
départementale du travail).
10.11 Résultat de la gestion de la faune
En conclusion, le Gouvernement congolais affiche une ferme volonté de progrès en vue de la gestion
rationnelle de ses ressources forestières. L’expérience menée avec WCS et la CIB, en tant que grande
entreprise d’exploitation forestière du pays, apparaît fortement positive et démontre que la coopération
entre le Gouvernement, le secteur privé et les ONG peut rassembler les conditions permettant la mise en
œuvre d’un plan d’aménagement intégrant les mesures sociales, sylvicoles et environnementales, facteurs
indispensables pour aller vers la certification de ses forêts. Ces actions demandent également une bonne
coopération avec les ONG nationales, l’administration de l’agriculture, l’administration territoriale et la police
et l’armée pour des actions de formation et de répression.
Le Ministère de l’Economie Forestière et de l’Environnement du Congo généralise cette expérience en
demandant aux entreprises de créer dans chaque concession forestière une Unité Spéciale de Lutte AntiBraconnage (USLAB), permettant un contrôle de la chasse, de la circulation et de la consommation du
gibier assurant ainsi une conservation à long terme de la faune. En ce qui concerne la CIB, ce projet est
totalement intégré dans son plan d’aménagement de façon à obtenir une gestion durable de la faune aussi
bien que celle des produits ligneux ou non ligneux.
11.0 MESURES D’EXPLOITATION FORESTIERE A IMPACT REDUIT (EFIR) MISES EN ŒUVRE A LA
CIB
Parallèlement à l’élaboration des plans d’aménagement, la CIB met en place un programme d’Exploitation
Forestière à Impact Réduit (EFIR) dont un ingénieur est chargé de la mise œuvre depuis novembre 2002.
Plusieurs actions ont été menées sur le terrain:
- Formation des abatteurs à de nouvelles méthodes d’abattage appropriées à la forêt
congolaise;
- Formation des prospecteurs à une nouvelle méthode d’inventaire d’exploitation;
- Développement d’un logiciel de gestion de données d’inventaire par SIG.
Elles continueront en 2004 par:
- l’introduction d’une nouvelle méthode de triage, l’amélioration des tracés de piste de
débardage, la normalisation des constructions de routes et
- la définition de procédures pour la récupération des déchets dus à l’activité forestière, la
récupération des huiles, des batteries, des pneus notamment.
Elles sont accompagnées d’expérience de recherche appliquée:
- des études forestières afin de comprendre les mécanismes de régénération naturelle et la
dynamique des forêts;
- des actions de reboisement.
11.1 Formation des abatteurs et suivi d’abattage
En juin 2001, la CIB a introduit une nouvelle méthode d’abattage, à la fois plus sécurisante pour l’abatteur
et permettant augmenter la qualité du bois abattu en réduisant les défauts d’abattage (fentes, claques,
roulures). Une formation a été appuyée par deux missions d’IPC et le suivi des abatteurs a été assuré
pendent 18 mois par un cadre expatrié.
Suite à cette formation, des normes d’abattage ont été élaborées et signées en 2003par la direction
CIB. Depuis novembre 2003, une équipe contrôle le travail des abatteurs, avec trois critères d’évaluation
qui sont la volonté d’appliquer la nouvelle méthode, le succès de l’abattage et le type de dégât.
11.2 Introduction d’une nouvelle méthode d’inventaire d’exploitation
Une nouvelle méthode d’inventaire d’exploitation est progressivement mise en place sur le terrain. Cette
méthode permet notamment de:
- cartographier les arbres exploitables au sein de parcelles d’inventaire de 25 ha;
- inventorier et cartographier la ressource d’avenir (arbres de diamètre compris entre 40 cm et
le diamètre minimum d’exploitabilité) des essences exploitables;
- inventorier les essences potentiellement commercialisables;
- inventorier les espèces rares ou menacées, à savoir l’ébène noir (Diospyros crassiflora) et
l’afrormosia (Pericopsis elata);
- mettre en place un suivi individuel des arbres depuis l’inventaire jusqu’au débardage par un
système de plaquettes permettant un suivi des inventaires et de l’exploitation en évitant
notamment les oublis d’arbres prospectés ou plus grave, abattus mais non débardés;
Depuis janvier 2004, la nouvelle méthode d’inventaire d’exploitation est appliquée sur l’ensemble des
chantiers de la CIB.
11.3 Développement d’un logiciel de gestion de données d’inventaire
Un logiciel de gestion des données d’inventaire et d’exploitation a été spécialement développé dans le
cadre du programme EFIR de la CIB. Ce logiciel permet principalement d’enregistrer les données
d’inventaire dans un Système d’Informations Géographiques (SIG), de manière à gérer efficacement
l’exploitation et minimiser son impact.
Concernant directement les inventaires d’exploitation, le logiciel permet notamment de:
- désigner sur cartes les arbres à exploiter;
- localiser avec précision des zones de protection (zones « tampon ») autour des milieux
sensibles tels que les rivières, les étangs, et d’identifier les arbres situés dans ces zones pour
les préserver de l’exploitation;
- désigner des arbres portes graines en fonction des densités d’arbres exploités;
- optimiser le tracé des pistes de débardage en fonction de la localisation de la ressource à
exploiter, de la ressource d’avenir et des zones à protéger.
Le logiciel permet de constituer les coupes annuelles en fonction des données de prospection et en
tenant compte d’un nombre maximum d’arbre à exploiter par parcelle.
A tout moment, des cartes d’exploitation peuvent être éditées.
Le logiciel prévoit également un lien entre les numéros de prospection et les numéros forestiers,
permettant ainsi un véritable suivi de chaque arbre depuis la prospection jusqu’à l’abattage.
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Par la suite, ce logiciel sera relié à un autre programme permettant de traiter les données de chaque
arbre à partir de l’abattage jusqu’à la vente. La « traçabilité » de chaque bille pourra alors être réalisée sur
la totalité des chaînes d’exploitation et de commercialisation.
12.0 ACTIONS PROGRAMMÉES EN 2004
12.1 Introduction d’une nouvelle méthode de triage
Avant l’exploitation, les équipes de « triage » seront munies de cartes détaillées avec les arbres à exploiter
et à protéger. Les arbres à protéger de l’exploitation (tiges d’avenir, porte-graines, espèces rares) seront
signalés par un ruban de couleur.
Cette nouvelle méthode sera mise en place en 2004 sur le chantier de Kabo et en 2005 pour les autres
chantiers.
12.2 Amélioration des tracés de piste de débardage
Les cartes de localisation des arbres à exploiter permettront d’optimiser les tracés de piste de débardage.
L’objectif est de réduire la longueur du réseau de piste d’environ 20% de manière à limiter l’impact du
passage des engins en forêts.
12.3 Normalisation des constructions de routes
En fonction des types de routes, des normes de largeur et de construction seront établies de manière à
limiter autant que possible les déboisements.
12.4 Contrôle de la pollution de l’environnement
Une liste d’impacts environnementaux liés aux activités de la CIB est actuellement dressée en concertation
avec tous les services. Les impacts significatifs seront identifiés et un plan d’action sera défini pour
minimiser ces impacts.
Des mesures sont déjà progressivement mises en œuvre:
- Les huiles de vidange sont systématiquement récupérées pour une réutilisation ultérieure. Des
citernes de stockage sont réservées à cet effet. Ces huiles sont réutilisées pour le traitement
des cases, le graissage des chaînes de tronçonneuses. Depuis décembre 2003, en cas de
stockage trop important, les huiles usagées sont évacuées vers un centre de recyclage à
Douala.
- Les points de livraison régulière de gas-oil sont conçus de manière à éviter un déversement de
gas-oil dans le sol.
- Les filtres à huile et à gas-oil sont en partie collectés et traités (compression) afin de séparer
huiles et gas-oil du métal. Les résidus métalliques sont jetés dans une fosse; les huiles et gasoil sont reversés dans les fûts de récupération des huiles usagées.
- Les batteries usagées sont en partie collectées et démontées, en récupérant le plomb et
l’acide. Les acides seront neutralisés à l’aide de soude ou chaux vive ou hydratée. Le mélange
neutralisé sera séché puis reversé dans le sol.
De façon systématique et à partir de 2005, les déchets liés aux activités de l’exploitation seront
récupérés, triés, et détruits ou recyclés selon les cas. Câbles, fûts, pneus, pièces plastiques et métalliques
seront récupérés et jetés dans des fosses prévues à cet effet. Un effort sera d’autre part fourni pour le
ramassage, le stockage et la destruction des déchets ménagers dans les campements de la CIB.
12.5 Etude de la régénération naturelle et la dynamique forestière
Des études de régénération ont été menées en 2003 avec trois objectifs:
- Une meilleure compréhension de la dynamique des formations végétales en forêts intactes,
principalement pour les types de forêts clairsemées à Marantaceae. A cet effet, un inventaire
des ligneux et du couvert végétal a été réalisé sur 3 tansects, totalisant 10 km.
- L’étude de l’impact de l’exploitation au sein des trois formations clairsemées à Marantaceae,
au niveau des trouées d’abattage et des chemins de débardage. Ainsi, 18 trouées recouvertes
par un réseau de placettes ont été étudiées dans trois formations dont l’exploitation date de
2002. De même, pour les débardages: 54 placettes dans trois formations dont l’exploitation
date 2002, 2000 et 1997.
- La mise en place d’un circuit de suivi de la phénologie et de la croissance de l’ayous: deux
circuits comprenant au total 120 pieds ont été individualisés.
Ces études menées en liaison avec l’Université de Gembloux devraient être poursuivies en 2004.
12.6 Les UPARA (Unités Pilotes d’Aménagement, de Reboisement et d’Agroforesterie)
Les UPARA furent crées le 18 mai 1996 au terme d’un accord entre le Ministère de l’Economie Forestière
et les sociétés forestières congolaises CIB, BOPLAC et SOCOBOIS.
-
L’UPARA CIB s’est installée à Pokola le 11 juin 1996 avec pour missions:
l’identification des arbres semenciers pour récolte de graines;
la mise en place d’une pépinière;
l’identification de zones d’intervention;
le reboisement de zones exploitées et peu boisées;
des essais agroforestiers dans les plantations agricoles;
la création de parcelles pilote pour observation et mesure de la régénération naturelle;
la mise en place de plantations villageoises en fonction des besoins des populations.
L’équipe est dirigée par un ingénieur des techniques forestières.
A ce jour:
- des semenciers des diverses essences commerciales courantes ont été répertoriés;
- une pépinière de 0,15 hectares avec une capacité de production d’environ 26 000 plants par
campagne a été créée; elle permet de faire des essais de reboisement dans les essences
traditionnelles du Nord Congo et d’essayer d’introduire des essences du Sud Congo comme
l’Okoumé;
- des transplantations dans des zones exploitées par CIB et en forêt de Marantacées ont été
réalisées;
- des essais d’agro-foresterie ont été menés autour de Pokola sur 6 hectares;
- des parcelles ont été repérées pour observation et mesure de la régénération naturelle en
forêts non exploitées et exploitées.
13.0 LES ACTIONS SOCIALES ET ECONOMIQUES DU PLAN D’AMENAGEMENT DE LA CIB
Les plans d’aménagement prévoient des actions fortes en matière de réduction de la pauvreté:
- le développement social de la base forestière et du département,
- le développement industriel et la création d’emplois.
13.1 Le développement social de la base forestière et de la région
Est basé notamment sur:
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13.2 Une assistance aux travailleurs qui prend la forme d’accords d’établissement et de comités de
suivi
En particulier,
- l’accord d’établissement permet l’amélioration de leurs conditions de vie matérielles et
familiales en réglementant l’attribution des primes, la prise en charge des frais médicaux et des
frais occasionnés en cas d’événements de toute nature.
- le Comité d’Hygiène et de sécurité qui traite de nombreux problèmes en liaison avec
l’environnement socio-sanitaire de l’entreprise: au plan hygiène (ordures, eaux stagnantes,
points d’eau, etc.), au plan santé des travailleurs (visites médicales, vaccinations, formation,
etc.), au plan sécurité (dispositifs et vêtements de sécurité).
- le Comité de suivi des activités alternatives à la chasse permet de faire le point sur
l’alimentation en protéines dans les concessions.
13.3 La mise en place d’infrastructures sociales et leur maintenance
S’agit en particulier d’écoles et de centres de santé dans tous les villages des concessions forestières et
un appui aux écoles et centres de santé du Département. Le site de Pokola en particulier est appelé à
devenir un pôle de développement avec:
- la construction de maisons en briques pour le personnel de la société,
- un hôpital comprenant une salle de soins, une salle d’opération bien équipée, une salle
d’accouchement, un laboratoire,
- une pharmacie avec des médicaments génériques à prix compétitifs,
- un économat, un grand marché où les travailleurs peuvent de procurer les produits les plus
divers,
- l’alimentation en eau et en électricité des villages.
13.4 Un appui logistique apporté aux services de l’administration congolaise
S’agit des services installés dans la base: eaux et forêts, police, gendarmerie, sécurité du territoire,
douanes, postes, etc., mais aussi des services techniques régionaux dont un appui logistique apparaît
nécessaire afin de les sensibiliser aux actions d’aménagement.
13.5 Des actions réalisées dans le cadre du PROGEPP ou en collaboration avec ce projet
- des études socio-économiques dans les concessions permettent de suivre l’évolution démographique
et l’évolution du niveau de vie des populations et des travailleurs (Moukassa, 2001) et de définir des
programmes d’activités destinés à satisfaire leurs besoins alimentaires et la création d’emplois.
En complément de ces études réalisées par PROGEPP, deux missions d’expertise réalisées en 2003
ont permis notamment:
- une synthèse de la situation socio-économique régionale permettant des recommandations
spécifiques pour le volet socio-économique des plans d’aménagement (Pierre, 2004);
- l’identification des spécificités des peuples de forêt, notamment celles des populations
Pygmées Bambenzelés, avec des propositions de mesures d’aménagement pour limiter
l’impact négatif de l’exploitation forestière sur ces populations, afin d’assurer la perpétuation de
leur culture, savoirs et savoir faire (Leclert, 2004).
- la création d’une Cellule sociale qui permet de mettre en place des modalités d’échange avec
l’entreprise, l’administration et les populations. Des études sociales menées dans les concessions
forestières permettent de définir les besoins culturels, sociaux et économiques des travailleurs et des
populations. Des rencontres périodiques sont organisées avec les chefs de village situés dans les
concessions ou en bordure de celles-ci.
- l’étude et la mise en place d’activités alternatives - actions pilotes en élevage, en pisciculture et en
maraîchage -, ainsi qu’un appui aux initiatives locales pour le développement de l’artisanat et du commerce.
L’agro-foresterie qui permet le développement de l’agriculture autour des sites sans destruction de la forêt
apparaît indispensable et demande une sensibilisation et une formation des populations.
- l’élaboration de programmes d’appui spécifiques pour les populations semi-nomades comme les
Pygmées visant à les assister plus particulièrement du point de vue sanitaire (lutte contre la tuberculose, la
lèpre ou le pian) et du point de vue éducation.
- le contrôle de l’implantation des cases. L’implantation de toute habitation en dehors des villages est
interdite, d’après le contrat d’aménagement transformation signé entre la CIB et le Ministère de l’Economie
Forestière, car c’est une source importante de destruction de la forêt avec risque de développement de
cultures agricoles autour de ces cases.
13..6 Le développement industriel et la création d’emplois
Des études sont menées pour aider à planifier les activités à améliorer l’outil industriel afin de mieux utiliser
les ressources forestières, notamment par:
- des formations dans toutes les disciplines utilisées à la CIB afin d’améliorer la qualité du travail
du personnel de forêt et de tirer le meilleur parti du bois;
- des études, des essais industriels, des actions de marketing sur les essences de promotion de
manière à diversifier la production et mieux utiliser la forêt;
- la mise en service d’unités de transformation plus poussée du bois; c’est nécessaire pour une
société située dans une région enclavée située à plus de 1 000 kilomètres d’un port.
Actuellement, la CIB transforme 70% de sa production de grumes. Les installations
complémentaires seront définies après l’élaboration des plans d’aménagement qui permettra
de connaître avec précision les essences et leur disponibilité.
- l’étude d’installations visant à augmenter le rendement et mieux utiliser les déchets de bois.
Conditionnée par un problème de rentabilité, la CIB envisage d’installer une unité de
cogénération. Les déchets inutilisables seront alors brûlés pour produire de l’électricité par des
machines à vapeur. Cette installation aura une très grande importance pour alimenter le village
de Pokola qui a un besoin croissant en électricité et pour développer l’artisanat.
14.0 LES ENGAGEMENTS DE LA CIB
Pour parvenir à une gestion durable de ses concessions forestières, la CIB a une politique volontariste:
- elle a souscrit une déclaration d’engagement pour une amélioration continue des
performances socio-économiques et environnementales, la stratégie de « la feuille verte »;
- elle est cosignataire du code de déontologie de la gestion durable des concessions forestières
en Afrique élaboré par IFIA (Association Interafricaine des Industries Forestières) et à ce titre,
elle est auditée périodiquement;
- elle a élaboré un programme d’améliorations successives de sa gestion forestière et de
traçabilité de ses produits, contrôlé périodiquement par SGS.
- elle sollicitera une certification de ses concessions dès que ses plans d’aménagement seront
élaborés.
La politique de la CIB nécessite des efforts financiers importants qui sont essentiellement supportés
sur fonds propres:
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- les inventaires d’aménagement ont coûté près de 1 750 000 , soit 1,75 par hectare de forêt
utile pour la production de bois d’œuvre;
- les montants investis dans la mise en œuvre des mesures d’exploitation forestières à impact
réduit s’élèvent à près de 215 000 , soit plus de 0,2 par hectare;
- la contribution de la CIB à la protection de la faune (PROGEPP) s’est élevée à plus de
120 000 en 2002;
- les dépenses sociales se sont élevées à plus de 1 500 000 en 2002 et près de la moitié de
cette somme a été investie dans les logements des travailleurs.
Ces actions, considérées comme novatrices en Afrique centrale, ont bénéficié de cofinancement de
l’OIBT (Organisation Internationale des Bois Tropicaux) dans le cadre du PROGEPP et de la GTZ
(Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit) pour l’inventaire d’aménagement (financement de 30%).
15.0 CONCLUSION
Tout ce que la CIB met en oeuvre vise une exploitation rationnelle de la ressource, la protection de
l’environnement et de la biodiversité et, d’une manière générale, un développement durable et la réduction
de la pauvreté. Toutes les actions engagées visent des résultats pour lesquels il y a une pérennité; ils ne
remettent en cause ni la pérennité de la forêt, ni la pérennité de ce qui a été créé et qui garantit des revenus
permanents à la population. Pour les mener à bien, les entreprises ont besoin d’un partenariat effectif entre
toutes les parties prenantes.
La CIB joue donc un rôle très important dans la promotion de l’exploitation forestière à impact réduit et
dans la gestion de la faune qui sont des composantes intégrales de sa responsabilité. Ses plans
d’aménagement seront élaborés d’ici la fin de l’année 2004 permettant une continuation rationnelle des
efforts entrepris vers la gestion durable et la certification. Pour avoir des résultats concrets, il faut que les
gouvernements et les bailleurs de fonds s’appuient davantage sur les professionnels qui ont un langage et
des arguments adaptés.
16.0 BIBLIOGRAPHIE
Demarquez, B. 2002. Normes techniques forestières d’aménagement pour les UFA de Pokola, Kabo, Loundoungou.
Dubois, Y. 2004. Implication du secteur prive forestier congolais dans la mise en œuvre du plan environnemental du
NEPAD.
FRM, 2000. Etude de faisabilité du projet d’aménagement des UFA de la CIB.
Glannaz, F. 2001. Expérience de la CIB en matière de gestion durable des forêts.
Laporte, N. et Lin, T. 2003. Stratification forestière des UFA de Kabo, Pokola et Kabo. Rapport technique et cartes.
Leclerc. 2003. Un plan d’aménagement à l’échelle des groupes humains.
Moukassa et Mavah, 2003. Fiche d’information sur le suivi démographique des concessions forestières de la CIB.
Moukassa, 2001. Etude démographique et socio-économique dans la zone périphérique au parc national NouabaléNdoki.
Paget, D. et Desmet, O. 2003. Inventaire des ressources forestières des unités d’aménagement de Pokola, Kabo,
Loundoungou et Toukoulaka.
Pierre, J.M. 2003. Etude préparatoire au volet socio-économique des plans d’aménagement des UFA CIB.
WCS. 2003. Projet de Gestion des Ecosystèmes périphériques au Parc Nouabalé Ndoki – Quatrième rapport
technique.
White L. et Edwards, A. 2000. Conservation research in the African Rainforests: a technical hanbook. Wildlife
conservation society.
Wilks, C., 2002 et 2003. Un regard extérieur sur l’inventaire d’aménagement forestier de la CIB au nord Congo.
THE MANAGEMENT OF PLANTATION FORESTS:
THE CASE OF OFFICE DE DEVELOPPEMENT ET D’EXPLOITATION DES FORETS (ODEF)
L’AMENAGEMENT DES PLANTATIONS FORESTIERES:
CAS DE L’OFFICE DE DEVELOPPEMENT ET D’EXPLOITATION DES FORETS (ODEF)
ORDENACIÓN DE PLANTACIONES FORESTALES:
EL CASO DE LA OFFICE DE DÉVELOPPEMENT ET D’EXPLOITATION DES FORÊTS (ODEF)
A-A. Ayih
Office de Developpement et d’Exploitation des Forets (ODEF)
SUMMARY
The area of natural forests in Togo is currently estimated at only 500 000 ha. In view of the paucity of its natural forest
resources, the country has emphasized the development of planted forests. In order to achieve the production targets,
it has set up a specific organisation called Office de Développement et d’Exploitation des Forêts (ODEF), responsible
for reforestation and the promotion of sustainable forest management.
ODEF is a commercial and industrial publicly-owned entity. It is administratively and financially autonomous. Since
its inception in 1971, the Office has established approximately 9 000 ha of forest plantations in addition to approximately
3 000 ha of plantations known as ‘colonial’ and plantations inherited from the former National Forestry Commission. The
whole area managed by the Office amounts to 12 000 ha.
ODEF’s manpower totals 205 employees, approximately 25% of whom are forestry specialists. Among this 25 %,
there are only 5 high-level foresters (masters and above). The Office does not provide a training scheme for its
employees and has no recruitment plan based on the development of its activities and its personnel. The lack of
professional forest managers significantly limits the activities of the Office. As regards infrastructure, ODEF has three
(3) modern nurseries with sprinkler devices. There is a camp site in Davié for the accommodation of part of its
personnel.
The 12 000 ha of ODEF’s plantations contain 64,3% of Tectona grandis, 31,6 % of Eucalyptus spp and 4,1 % of
other species. The Office produces primarily timber from the teak plantations. During the last four years, the total
production of logs has risen to 34 734 m3, i.e. an annual average of 8 683 m3.
The majority of the teak timber produced is exported to countries of South-East Asia. A negligible part is processed
locally either by the Office, or by small private sawmills. The processing recovery rate by ODEF is in the region of 33
%. Square-edged timber is sold entirely at the national level.
Each reserved forest or reforestation area constitutes a management unit. For the largest of its reforestation sites,
ODEF has developed a management plan spanning a period of 10 years. The first plans were developed with the
assistance of CTFT and GRZ. Based on periodic inventories and forestry activities, the management plans work out the
cutting to be carried out each year for thinning, conversion or production purposes. The volume regulations are closely
adhered to. For all the plantations managed by the Office, the last inventories indicate an AAC of approximately 13 000
m 3.
Various methods of regeneration are applied. They are in-field plantation with assisted natural regeneration, and
sometimes enrichment treatment when there are natural formations. Once the plantations are established, weeding,
early thinning, artificial pruning, vine clearing, successive thinning operations are carried out.
The development plans for reserved forests provide a course of action for the conservation of biological diversity.
This includes, amongst others, the systematic preservation of natural forest groves, savanna woodland and riparian
forests. At the present time no endangered species have been recorded in ODEF’s concessions. Traditional hunting for
small game (rodents, birds...) is tolerated by the forest legislation and is practised on ODEF’s land. Poaching of big
game also exists in spite of regulations.
Almost all the reserved forests are inhabited by populations to whom the legislation recognizes some rights of use.
In its strategy for the development of reserved forests, the Office chose to involve these populations in a participative
approach. However, cases of conflicts are rather frequent and relate to illegal operations.
In the absence of a forest research centre, the Office has to carry out accompanying research tasks with foreign
assistance and in cooperation with the University of Lomé. Moreover, very little progress has been made with regard to
certification. At the present time, Togo does not have its own criteria and indicators.
Although somewhat behind, Togo has a legal framework as well as a policy and planning framework in favour of
sustainable forest management. The various laws include provisions relating to land security, the interests of local
communities, the management of forest resources, decentralized management, etc. The policy and planning framework
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consists of the national environmental policy, the national action plan on forests, the national programme against
desertification, the national environmental action plan, the strategy and action plan for the conservation of biological
diversity.
ODEF’s tasks are faced with some problems which slow down progress towards sustainable forest management.
As regards governance, the authorities find it difficult to respect the autonomy of the Office and sometimes interfere with
the implementation of the management plan provisions. From the regulatory point of view, there are inadequacies which
can be attributed to the nature and the lack of rigour in applying the rules. It should also be noted that the majority of
laws governing the forest sector in Togo are somewhat old and in many respects obsolete, which makes it difficult to
apply them. In this context, it becomes extremely difficult to fight against illegal operations which constitute a very
dangerous phenomenon for sustainable forest management.
RESUME
On estime actuellement à 500 000 ha seulement, la superficie des forêts naturelles au Togo. Face à la pauvreté de ses
ressources forestières naturelles, le pays a mis l’accent sur le développement des plantations forestières. Pour atteindre
les objectifs de production, il a été mis en place une structure spécialisée, l’Office de Développement et d’Exploitation
des Forêts (ODEF), chargée des reboisements et de la promotion de l’aménagement forestier durable.
L’ODEF est une société publique à caractère industriel et commercial. Il dispose d’une autonomie administrative
et financière. Depuis sa création en 1971, l’office a créé environs 9 000 ha de plantations forestières auxquelles
s’ajoutent environ 3 000 ha de plantations dites coloniales et de plantations héritées de l’ancien service des eaux et
forêts. L’ensemble des superficies gérés par l’office s’élève à 12 000 ha.
L’ODEF dispose d’un effectif de 205 personnes dont environ 25% sont constitués de spécialistes forestiers. Parmi
ces 25 % il faut compter seulement 5 forestiers de niveau supérieur (maîtrise et plus). L’Office ne dispose pas d’un
programme de formation pour ses employés ni d’un plan de recrutement fondé sur l’évolution de ses activités et de son
personnel. L’insuffisance de cadres forestiers de conception constitue un des freins importants pour les activités de
l’office. En matière d’infrastructure, l’ODEF dispose de trois (3) pépinières modernes avec dispositifs d’arrosage. Un
campement existe à Davié pour l’accommodation d’une partie de son personnel.
Les 12 000 ha de plantation dont dispose l’ODEF sont constitués à 64,3% de Tectona grandis, 31,6 %
D’Eucaluptus spp, et de 4,1 % d’autres espèces. L’office produit essentiellement du bois de teck de plantation. Durant
les quatre dernières années la production totale de grume s’était élevé à 34 734 m3 soit une moyenne annuelle de 8 683 m3.
La plupart de la production de bois de teck est exporté vers les pays de l’Asie du Sud-Est. Une infime partie est
transformé sur place soit par l’office, soit par de petites scieries privées. Le taux de rendement à la transformation au
niveau de l’ODEF se situe aux alentours de 33 %. Les avivés sont vendus entièrement au niveau national.
Chaque forêt classée ou périmètre de reboisement constitue une unité d’aménagement. L’ODEF dispose pour les
plus importants de ses domaines de reboisement d’un plan d’aménagement élaboré pour une périodicité de 10 ans. Les
premiers plans ont été élaborés avec les aides du CTFT et de la GRZ. Les plans d’aménagement prévoient sur la base
des inventaires périodiques et des interventions sylvicoles, les coupes à effectuer chaque année en éclaircie, en
conversion ou en exploitation. Ces prescriptions de volume sont plus ou moins respectées. Pour l’ensemble des
plantations gérées par l’Office, les derniers inventaires indiquent une possibilité annuel de 13 000 m3 environ.
Diverses méthodes de régénérations sont mis en pratique. Il s’agit de plantations en plein de la régénération
naturelle assistée et parfois des enrichissements quant il s’agit des formations naturelles. Les plantations une fois
installées bénéficient des opérations de désherbage, de dépressage, d’élagage artificiel, de délianage, d’éclaircies
successives.
Les plans de mise en valeur des forêts classées prévoient des mesures de conservation de la diversité biologique.
Il s’agit entre autres de la conservation systématique des îlots de forêts naturelles, des savane arborées et des galeries
forestières. Aucune espèce en danger n’est pour le moment recensée dans les concessions de l’office. La chasse
traditionnelle au petit gibier (rongeurs, oiseaux…) est tolérée par la législation forestière et pratiquée dans les domaines
de l’ODEF. Le braconnage du gros gibier existent également malgré la réglementation.
Presque toutes les forêts classées sont habitées par des population dont la législation reconnaît un droit d’usufruit.
Dans sa stratégie de mise en valeur des forêts classées, l’office a opté pour le maintien de ces populations dans une
approche participative. Cependant des cas de conflits sont assez fréquents et concernent l’exploitation illicite.
L’absence d’un service de recherche forestière oblige l’Office à entreprendre des travaux de recherche
d’accompagnement avec le concours de l’assistance étrangère et la collaboration de l’Université de Lomé. En outre,
très peu de progrès ont été accompli en matière de certification. Le Togo à l’heure actuelle ne dispose pas de critères
et indicateurs propres.
Malgré son retard, le Togo dispose d’un cadre légal et d’un cadre de politique et de planification favorables à
l’aménagement forestier durable. Le corpus juridique comprend des dispositions relatives à la sécurité foncière, à
l’intérêt des communautés locales, à la gestion des ressources forestière, à la gestion décentralisée etc. Le cadre de
politique et de planification est constitué de la politique nationale sur l’environnement, du plan d’action forestier national,
du programme national de lutte contre la désertification, du plan national d’action environnemental, de la stratégie et
plan d’action pour la conservation de la diversité biologique.
L’ODEF fait face dans ses tâches à certains problèmes constituant un frein à l’aménagement forestier durable. Sur
le plan de la gouvernance, les autorités ont du mal à respecter l’autonomie de l’office avec parfois des interpositions à
la réalisation du contenu des plans d’aménagement. Sur le plan réglementaire, on note des insuffisances imputables à
la nature et au manque de rigueur dans l’application des textes. Il convient également de relever que la plupart des
textes régissant le secteur forestier au Togo sont assez vieux et à tout égard obsolètes. Ce qui rend leur application
assez difficile. Dans ce contexte il devient tout à fait difficile de lutter contre les coupes illicites phénomène très
dangereux pour l’aménagement forestier durable.
RESUMEN
Actualmente se estima que la superficie de bosques naturales de Togo asciende a sólo 500.000 ha. Dada la escasez
de sus recursos forestales naturales, el país ha puesto especial énfasis en el desarrollo de plantaciones forestales.
Para lograr los objetivos de producción, se ha establecido una instancia especializada: la Office de Développement et
d’Exploitation des Forêts (ODEF), encargada de las actividades de repoblación forestal y el fomento de la ordenación
forestal sostenible.
La ODEF es una entidad pública de carácter industrial y comercial, que dispone de autonomía administrativa y
financiera. Desde su creación en 1971, la Oficina ha establecido alrededor de 9.000 ha de plantaciones forestales,
además de aproximadamente 3.000 ha de plantaciones denominadas coloniales y plantaciones heredadas del antiguo
servicio forestal. La superficie total administrada por la ODEF asciende a 12.000 hectáreas.
La Oficina cuenta con una plantilla de 205 empleados, un 25% de los cuales son especialistas forestales. Este
25% sólo incluye cinco profesionales forestales de nivel superior (maestría o grado superior). La ODEF no dispone de
un programa de formación para sus empleados ni un plan de contratación basado en la evolución de sus actividades
o de su personal. La falta de profesionales forestales constituye una limitación importante para las actividades de la
institución. En materia de infraestructura, la Oficina cuenta con tres (3) viveros modernos, equipados con dispositivos
de riego por aspersión. Asimismo, se cuenta con un campamento en Davié para alojar parte del personal.
Las 12.000 hectáreas de plantaciones de que dispone la ODEF comprenden un 64,3% de Tectona grandis, 31,6%
de Eucalyptus spp. y un 4,1% de otras especies. La Oficina produce esencialmente madera de teca de sus
plantaciones. Durante los últimos cuatro años, la producción total de madera en troza ascendió a 34.734 m3, con un
promedio anual de 8.683 m3.
La mayor parte de la teca producida se exporta a los países del Sudeste Asiático. Una ínfima parte es
transformada a nivel local por la Oficina o por pequeños aserraderos privados. La tasa de rendimiento de las
actividades de transformación de la ODEF es del orden del 33%. Toda la madera escuadrada producida se vende en
el mercado nacional.
Cada reserva forestal o área de reforestación constituye una unidad de ordenación. Para las áreas de
reforestación más importantes, la ODEF cuenta con un plan de ordenación para un período de 10 años. Los primeros
planes se elaboraron con la ayuda del CTFT y de la GRZ. Sobre la base de inventarios periódicos e intervenciones
silvícolas, los planes de ordenación determinan las cortas que deben efectuarse cada año a través de aclareos,
actividades de conversión u operaciones de explotación. Los volúmenes fijados se respetan estrictamente. Para todas
las plantaciones administradas por la ODEF, los últimos inventarios indican una posibilidad de corta anual de alrededor
de 13.000 m3.
Se practican diversos métodos de regeneración. Éstos consisten en plantaciones con regeneración natural
asistida y, en algunos casos, plantaciones de enriquecimiento si se trata de formaciones naturales. Una vez instaladas
las plantaciones, se efectúan las operaciones de eliminación de malezas, entresacas, poda artificial, corte de
trepadoras y aclareos sucesivos.
Los planes de desarrollo de las reservas forestales contemplan medidas de conservación de la diversidad
biológica. Estas medidas incluyen, entre otras, la conservación sistemática de bosquetes naturales, sabanas arboladas
y bosques de galería. Hasta ahora no se ha registrado ninguna especie en peligro de extinción dentro de las
concesiones de la ODEF. La legislación permite la caza tradicional de pequeños animales (roedores, aves, etc.), que
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es practicada en las áreas de la Oficina. También se dan casos de caza ilegal de animales más grandes pese a la
reglamentación que la prohíbe.
Casi todas las reservas forestales están habitadas por poblaciones con derechos de usufructo reconocidos por
ley. En su estrategia de desarrollo de reservas forestales, la Oficina ha optado por mantener un enfoque participativo
con estas poblaciones. Sin embargo, los conflictos son bastante frecuentes y se relacionan con actividades ilegales de
explotación forestal.
Debido a la ausencia de un servicio de investigación forestal, la ODEF debe emprender investigaciones de apoyo
con ayuda del exterior y en cooperación con la Universidad de Lomé. Además, se ha alcanzado un progreso muy
limitado en materia de certificación. Togo actualmente no dispone de criterios e indicadores apropiados en este sentido.
A pesar de su retraso, Togo cuenta con un marco jurídico y un marco de políticas y planificación favorables a la
ordenación forestal sostenible. El ordenamiento jurídico comprende disposiciones relativas a la seguridad de la
tenencia de tierras, los intereses de las comunidades locales, el manejo de los recursos forestales, la administración
descentralizada, etc. El marco de políticas y planificación comprende la política nacional del medio ambiente, el plan
de acción forestal nacional, el programa nacional de lucha contra la desertificación, el plan nacional de acción
ambiental, y la estrategia y plan de acción para la conservación de la diversidad biológica.
En el cumplimiento de estas tareas, la ODEF debe hacer frente a ciertos problemas que constituyen un obstáculo
para la ordenación forestal sostenible. En materia de gobernabilidad, las autoridades no siempre respetan la autonomía
de la Oficina y en ocasiones interfieren con la ejecución de los planes de ordenación. Con respecto al marco normativo,
se observan deficiencias atribuibles a la naturaleza de las normas y a la falta de rigor en su aplicación. Igualmente cabe
destacar que la mayor parte de las disposiciones que rigen el sector forestal de Togo son bastante antiguas y en
muchos aspectos obsoletas, lo cual dificulta bastante su aplicación. En este contexto, resulta sumamente difícil
combatir las actividades de tala ilegal, que representan un fenómeno muy riesgoso para la ordenación forestal
sostenible.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Le Togo est un pays pauvre en ressource forestière naturelle. Les forêts dont il dispose sont en perpétuelle
dégradation. On estime actuellement à environ 500 000 ha, la superficie des forêts naturelles productives.
Celles-ci ne couvrent actuellement que 50 % des besoins nationaux en bois d’œuvre soit environ 25 000
m3 de grumes. Le taux de déboisement dans ces formations est de l’ordre de 15 000 ha par an.
Pour pallier l’insuffisance de la ressource naturelle et préserver le reste des formations forestières
naturelles, le Togo s’est engagé dans une politique de développement et de gestion de plantations
forestières. Ces travaux sont confiés à l’Office de Développement et d’Exploitation des Forêts (ODEF).
L’objectif est de combler dans un premier temps le déficit de production des forêts naturelles et ensuite
substituer les produits de plantation à la production des forêts naturelles. L’ODEF opère essentiellement
dans les forêts classées. Ce sont en général des espaces réservés par l’Etat à des fins de production
forestière. La plupart d’entre elles sont fortement dégradées.
L’Office gère actuellement 12 000 ha de plantation d’espèces diverses réparties sur toute l’étendu du
territoire à l’intérieur des forêts classées. La gestion de ces plantations repose sur le principe de rendement
soutenu tout en cherchant à répondre aux préoccupations socio-économiques des communautés riveraines
dans le respect de la conservation de la diversité biologique.
2.0 PROFIL DE LA COMPAGNIE
L’ODEF est une institution para administratif créée par décret n°71/204 du 13 novembre 1971. Il a pour
attribution:
•
•
•
la gestion, l’équipement et la mise en valeur du domaine forestier national par son extension,
l’aménagement et le traitement de tous les peuplements forestiers domaniaux préexistants sur le
territoire national et des études d’introduction de nouvelles essences forestières
l’exploitation, la transformation et la commercialisation des produits et sous-produits forestiers
la promotion et la valorisation du matériau bois ainsi que l’exploitation rationnelle de certaines
forêts dont les potentialités l’exigent.
Pour remplir sa mission, l’ODEF s’est engagé dans la promotion et l’aménagement des plantations
forestières. En 1987, dans le cadre de la coopération bilatérale avec l’Allemagne, l’ODEF a bénéficié de
l’assistance de la GTZ pour asseoir une base d’aménagement forestier durable. C’est dans ce cadre qu’il
a été procédé à l’inventaire de toutes les plantations forestières, à la rédaction des procès-verbaux
d’aménagement, à la mise en place des équipements nécessaires pour la conduite des travaux
d’aménagement et à l’installation en aval d’une scierie et d’une menuiserie. Cette action a été complétée
par la formation du personnel et la mise en place d’un bureau d’études constitué de spécialistes de diverses
disciplines.
L’ODEF opère ses activités dans les forêts classées. Ce sont des domaines de l’Etat réservés pour les
activités de production et d’aménagement forestier. Actuellement l’ODEF gère 23 forêts classées d’une
superficie totale de 110 500 ha. Ces domaines comprennent à la fois des formations naturelles et des
plantations.
L’Office dispose d’un effectif de 205 personnes réparties comme suit:
•
•
•
•
Cadre supérieur: 7
Agents de maîtrise: 12
Cadre moyen: 58
Autres agents (sans qualifications): 128
En dehors des bourses de formation dans le cadre de la coopération bilatérales ou multilatérales,
l’ODEF a mis en place une stratégie de formation interne. Il s’agit principalement des formations de remise
à niveau pour les cadres moyens ou les autres agents. Ces formations sont dirigées par les cadres de
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l’office et couvent des thèmes principaux de l’aménagement forestier durable. Dans le cadre de l’OIBT
plusieurs techniciens de l’ODEF ont participé à des ateliers de formation.
Dans certaines localités du pays, l’ODEF dispose de campements pour l’hébergement de ses agents
avec eaux et électricité. Dans les localités où il n’en dispose pas, les frais de logement des ouvriers
spécialisés tels que les tronçonneurs, conducteurs d’engin et topographes sont pris en charge. Une boîte
à pharmacie de premier secours est mis à la disposition de chaque équipe de bûcherons ainsi que des
conducteurs d’engins forestiers. Ils disposent en outre des équipements de protection tels que les gants,
les casques, les chaussures, les caches nez… Ici ce qui est à déplorer c’est le renouvellement régulier de
ces équipements. Les cas d’accidents graves suivis de décès sont assez rares sur les chantiers de l’office.
Cependant les petits accidents sont courants et pris en charge par l’Office
L’ODEF dispose de trois (3) pépinières modernes pour la production de plants d’une capacité d’environ
3 millions de plants. En dehors de ces pépinières permanentes, des pépinières temporaires sont souvent
installées ici et là pour les travaux de reboisement. Il s’agit principalement des pépinières de teck.
2.1 La production
La production ligneuse de l’office est essentiellement axée sur le bois de plantation. Cependant dans les
périmètres où le plan d’aménagement le permet, on exploite quelques bois de forêts naturelles. Il convient
de rappeler que nos forêts naturelles sont pour la plupart très dégradées et les actions actuelles militent
plutôt en faveur d’une reconstitution.
Le patrimoine actuel de l’Office est constitué de 12 000 ha de plantations d’essences diverses dont
principalement le teck. La proportion de chaque espèce est indiquée dans le tableau ci-après:
Tableau 1: Superficie des différentes espèces plantées
• Espèce
Tectona grandis
Eucalyptus spp
Autres espèces5s
Total
Superficie
(ha)
Pourcentage
7834
3847
504
12185
64,3
31,6
4,1
100
En ce qui concerne la répartition par classe d’age, il faut noter la prépondérance des plantations jeunes
et une forte proportion de plantations surannées comme le montre le tableau ci-après.
Tableau 2: Répartition par classe d’âge des plantations de l’ODEF
1-5
6-10
11-15
16-20
21-25
26-3
31-35
36-40
41-50
51-60
>60
3617
872
1163
2625
603
302
401
304
847
88
1337
L’évolution de la production de bois ces dernières années se présente comme suit:
Tableau 3: Evolution de la production de bois (grumes)
Année
2000
2001
2002
2003
5.
Production Plantation
(m3)
3 729
6 150
17 161
7 694
Production Forêt naturelle
(m3)
150
s’agit de cedrela odorata, Khaya senegalensis, Terminalia, Cordia aliodora ets.
Le bois provenant des travaux d’aménagement est en majorité exporté vers les pays du sud-est
asiatique. Seule une infime partie est transformée soit par l’ODEF, soit par des scieries privées artisanales.
L’évolution de la transformation au niveau de l’ODEF se présente dans le tableau ci-après.
Tableau 4: Evolution de la production de sciage
Année
2000
2001
Volume grume
(m3)
1 800,58
858,83
Volume sciage
(m3)
544,29
317,769
Rendement
(%)
30,22
37,00
L’année 2002 n’a pas connu de transformation par l’ODEF pour cause de panne grave sur les
installations de la scierie.
En dehors du bois d’œuvre l’office produit du bois de feu à partir des plantations d’Eucaluptus spp,
d’Anogeissus leiocarpus et de houppiers de Tectona grandis. Une tentative d’élevage d’ovin sous plantation
d’Eucalyptus a été menée durant les années 80 mais abandonnée pour des difficultés de surveillance du
bétail.
Quoi que jouant un rôle considérable dans la séquestration du carbone, ce service des reboisements
n’est pas pris en compte dans le bilan de production de l’office.
3.0
LES AMENAGEMENTS FORESTIERS
3.1 Planification de l’aménagement
l’ODEF est organisé sur le terrain en directions régionales correspondant aux cinq régions économiques du
Pays. Chaque région est subdivisée en secteurs. Un secteur est une portion territoriale de la région ayant
à sa charge une superficie de forêt à gérer. Au niveau du secteur, chaque forêt classée ou périmètre de
reboisement est considéré comme une unité d’aménagement. Au niveau de chaque unité d’aménagement,
chaque parcelle est identifiée par un numéro de huit chiffres représentant: la région (1 chiffre), le secteur (2
chiffres) l’année de plantation (2 chiffres) et le nombre de parcelles de l’année (3 chiffres).
L’ODEF dispose pour ses principaux domaines de plan d’aménagement élaborés pour une période de
10 ans. Le plan de rotation retenu dans les plans est de 45 ans pour le Teck, 35 ans pour Terminalia superba
et Cedrela odorata et de 25 ans pour Gmelina arborea. Les plans d’aménagement tiennent à la fois compte
des directives des l’OIBT pour l’établissement et la gestion des forêts artificielles tropicales, les directives
de l’OIBT pour l’aménagement durable des forêts naturelles tropicales et des directives pour la conservation
de la diversité biologiques dans les forêts tropicales de production.
3.2 Les types de forêts
Quoi qu’opérant dans les forêts classées, les peuplements gérés, par l’ODEF sont constitués à 90 % de
plantations forestières. La plupart de forêts classées sont plutôt constituées de formations savanicoles
improductives au plan de bois d’œuvre. Dans quelques cas seulement on note la présence de forêts
naturelles productives. Si elles sont présentes, ces forêts naturelles sont essentiellement constituées de
forêts denses sèches ou de forêts semi-décidues.
3.3 Systèmes d’aménagement
Les systèmes d’aménagement pratiqués au Togo impliquent les opérations suivantes:
•
•
•
•
coupes à blanc avec replantation;
coupes à blanc avec reconduction de la régénération naturelle;
coupes à blanc avec reconduction de rejets;
coupes sélectives dans les parcelles de peuplement naturel.
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3.4 Le contrôle de l’aménagement
Le Togo ne dispose malheureusement pas de critères et indicateurs nationaux d’aménagement forestiers.
Les aménagements actuellement en cours sur le terrain, s’inspirent des directives de l’OIBT et des
principes de base communément admis pour une gestion durable de la ressource. Les plans
d’aménagement prévoient sur la base des inventaires périodiques et des interventions sylvicoles, les
coupes à effectuer chaque année en éclaircie, en conversion ou en exploitation. Ces prescriptions de
volume sont plus ou moins respectées. Pour l’ensemble des plantations gérées par l’ODEF, les derniers
inventaires indiquent une possibilité annuelle de 13 000 m3 environ. L’évolution des coupes durant les 5
dernières années peut être constatée comme suit:
Tableau 4: Evolution de la production de bois en rapport avec la possibilité
Possibilité annuelle
13 000
Réalisations par rapport à la possibilité
Récolté en 2000
3 729
28,68
Récolté en 2001
6 150
47,30
Récolté en 2002
17 161
132,00
Récolté en 2003*
7 694
59,18
Pour constat, de 2000 à 2002, environ 69, 33 % des prévisions de récolte ont été effectuées.
3.5 Les exploitations
Les exploitations dans les plantations forestières sont guidées par les plans d’aménagement prévoyant
dans un plan de gestion les différents volumes à récolter chaque année et par parcelle, en éclaircie ou en
coupe rase. A titre d’illustration le plan d’aménagement des plantations d’une localité appelée Blitta, faisait
les prévisions suivantes sur une période de 10 ans pour un domaine de 1192 ha:
Possibilité
• Eclaircie
2490 m3/an
• Coupe finale 620 m3/an
Surface à travailler
• Reboisement 5,3 ha/an
• Eclaircie
84,9 ha/an
• Coupe finale 5,3 ha/an
La vidange des parcelles est assurée par tracteur MB Trac. Cependant, ces dernières années des
pousse-pousse à quatre roues sont utilisées pour leur facilité d’entretien et de manipulation. En outre, ils
perturbent très peu le sol. Cette technique a été empruntée aux débardeurs privés.
Avant toute exploitation on procède à une estimation de volume à l’aide de table de cubage. Le réseau
routier quant à elle est planifié depuis la plantation. Pour les besoins d’évacuation des produits d’éclaircie,
on procède parfois à l’ouverture des allées de débardage. Les abattages sont le plus souvent orientés par
rapport à ces allées (disposition en arêtes de poisson) pour faciliter le débardage.
3.6 Sylviculture
Diverses méthodes de régénérations sont mises en pratique. Dans la plupart des cas, l’ODEF procède pour
l’installation de nouvelles parcelles à des plantations en plein. Pour la reconduite des parcelles exploitées,
il procède par régénération naturelle assistée. Des cas d’enrichissement sont observés quant il s’agit des
formations naturelles.
Les plantations une fois installées bénéficient de beaucoup d’autres interventions telles que:
•
•
•
•
•
les désherbages pendant trois à quatre ans;
le dépressage en cas de régénération naturelle;
l’élagage artificiel en cas de nécessité;
le délianage;
les éclaircies successives.
Toutes ces interventions sont assez onéreuses et nécessitent du personnel qualifié et expérimenté.
3.7 Conservation de la biodiversité
Les interventions de l’ODEF tendent à transformer les terres forestières dégradées en plantations
forestières hautement productives. Cependant dans l’objectif de la conservation de la diversité biologique,
les plans directeurs des forêts classées ou l’office travaille prévoient la conservation systématique des îlots
de forêts naturelle, des savanes arborées et des galeries forestières. Dans certains cas une étude d’impact
est faite avant le démarrage des travaux comme c’est le cas de Haho-Baloé.
L’ODEF n’a jamais procédé à un inventaire systématique de la faune ou de la flore dans ses domaines.
En conséquence nous ne sommes pas en mesure de dire si des espèces en danger existent ou non dans
ses domaines.
La chasse traditionnelle au petit gibier (rongeurs, oiseaux…) est tolérée par la législation forestière
togolaise. Les domaines de l’ODEF constituent de ce fait des aires de prédilection de chasse pour les
populations avoisinantes à la recherche de complément protidique. Cette chasse traditionnelle est quelque
fois à l’origine de feux de forêts.
La chasse au gros gibier par contre est strictement réglementée. Les domaines où l’ODEF travaille
recèlent quelques gros gibiers (buffles, guib harnaché, cob de buffon…). Cependant ces animaux dont ces
domaines constituent les derniers refuges, font l’objet d’un braconnage intense. Aucune mesure appropriée
n’est mise en place par l’office pour endiguer ce mal.
3.8 Aspects sociaux
Plusieurs villages et hameaux sont installés à l’intérieur et aux alentours des forêts classées gérées par
l’office. Ces populations se livrent le plus souvent à l’agriculture itinérante sur brûlis, à la cueillette et à la
chasse. Ces populations ont dans les forêts classées le droit d’usufruit reconnu par la législation forestière.
Ce droit les autorise à la pratique de la chasse ou de la pêche traditionnelle, au prélèvement du bois mort,
à la récolte de champignons, du miel et des plantes médicinales sans toutefois empiéter sur les
reboisements. Dans sa stratégie de mise en valeur des forêts classées, l’office a opté pour le maintien de
ces populations dans une approche participative pour en constituer la plus grande partie de sa main
d’œuvre ou à travers la pratique de la méthode taungya. Cependant des cas de conflits sont assez fréquents
et concernent l’exploitation illicite. Entre 1999 et 2000 plusieurs cas d’exploitation illicite ont été recensés et
traités au niveau des juridictions du pays avec condamnation à payer des amendes. Ici il convient de
préciser que les paysans fraudeurs sont le plus souvent à la solde des exploitants illicites venant de la
capitale (Lomé).
3.9 Recherche et développement
Le Togo ne dispose pas d’un service de recherche forestière. Cette carence pousse l’office à entreprendre
quelques recherches d’accompagnement pour répondre à des problèmes précis sur le terrain. Ces travaux
portent sur:
•
•
l’étude des provenances de certaines espèces (Tectona grandis, Gmelina arborea, Cedrela
odorata);
les essais d’éclaircie sur Tectona grandis;
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•
•
•
l’étude sur la proportion du duramen et des qualités du teck en plantation;
les essais d’écartement sur Anogeissus leiocarpus ;
l’étude de la croissance et de la productivité de diverses espèces d’Eucalyptus;
Ces travaux sont conduits en collaboration avec la Faculté des Sciences de l’Université de Lomé. En
1994, l’ODEF avait bénéficié d’une subvention du CRDI pour mener un projet de recherche
d’accompagnement. Depuis la fin de ce financement aucune activité bilatérale n’est entreprise.
Aucune plantation de l’ODEF n’est pour le moment certifiée. Les préalables pour cette mesure ne sont
pas encore au point. Les réflexions sont présentement en cours afin de mettre en place un Groupe National
de Travail (GNT) qui aura pour mission de mettre en place les conditions d’aménagement forestier durable
et le processus de certification.
4.0
FACTEURS FAVORISANT L’AMENAGEMENT FORESTIER DURABLE
4.1 Le cadre légal
La constitution du 14 octobre 1992 élève la gestion de l’environnement au rang d’une valeur
constitutionnelle, ce qui impose des sujétions particulières à l’Etat dans ce domaine. L’article 84 délimite les
compétences de l Assemblée Nationale notamment la protection et la promotion de l environnement et la
conservation des ressources naturelles, la création, l’extension et les déclassements des parcs nationaux,
des réserves de faune et des forêts classées.
La loi n°88-14 du 3 novembre 1988 portant code de l’environnement dans son article 1 déclare d’intérêt
général la conservation de l’environnement, le maintien ou la restauration des ressources naturelles.
La législation foncière, connue sous l’appellation de l’ordonnance n°12 du 6 février 1974, avait pour
objectif de clarifier la situation confuse du système foncier en opérant une véritable réforme agraire par la
constitution d’un patrimoine foncier national en vue de la réalisation des programmes de développement
rural, urbain et industriel. Elle distingue trois catégories de terres à savoir : les terres détenues par les
collectivités et individus, les terres constituant le domaine public et privé de l’Etat et de collectivités locales
et enfin le domaine foncier national. Cette loi consacre la coexistence à la fois des règles du droit coutumier
et du droit moderne.
Le code forestier relève de la législation coloniale étant donné qu’il est tributaire du décret du 5 février 1938
et du décret n°55 – 582 du 20 mai 1955 relatifs à la protection des forêts dans les territoires d’Afrique. Ces
dispositions ont essayé de concilier la conception africaine de la forêt avec les concepts juridiques
européens qui considèrent les espaces naturelles comme des biens vacants dont la collectivité publique est
propriétaire. Un nouveau code plus enclin à la situation actuelle est en cours d’élaboration et permettra de
remédier aux insuffisances relevées.
La législation de la faune, organisée par l’ordonnance n°4 du 16 janvier 1968 portant réglementation de
la protection de la faune et de l’exercice de la chasse au Togo fixe le champ d’exercice de la chasse au
Togo. Elle prévoit des dispositions pour la protection des femelles et des petits.
La loi n°98-006 du 11 février 1998 portant décentralisation confie d’importantes attributions
environnementales aux collectivités territoriales qui ont compétence pour promouvoir avec l’Etat, le
développement économique, social, culturel, technologique, scientifique et environnemental dans leur
ressort territorial.
Ce corpus juridique, dans son essence, présente des conditions assez favorables pour la promotion de
l’aménagement forestier durable notamment en ce qui concerne: la sécurité foncière, l’intérêt des
communautés locales, la gestion décentralisée etc.
Le cadre de politique et de planification
Le Togo dispose d’un cadre de politique et de planification très favorable à l’aménagement des
ressources forestières et dont les éléments essentiels sont résumés dans le tableau ci-après.
4.2 Cadre opérationnel
La loi forestière rend obligatoire les plans d’aménagement pour toute activité de gestion forestière. Dans les
années 80 – 90, l’ODEF a bénéficié de l’assistance de la GTZ pour l’élaboration des plans d’aménagement
pour ces principales forêts classées. En outre l’ensemble des activités de l’ODEF est subordonné à la
présentation à un conseil d’administration, d’un plan d’opération et d’un budget détaillé. Cette disposition
permet un suivi sérieux et une évaluation pertinente des activités sur le terrain.
Tableau 5: Résumé des éléments de politique et plans en relation avec l’AFD
Elément de politique
ou de planification
La politique nationale
de l’environnement (PNE)
Plan d’Action Forestier
National (PAFN)
Programme national de
lutte contre la désertification
Stratégie et plan d’action
pour la conservation de
la diversité biologique
Eléments stratégiques pertinents relatifs à l’AFD
La PNE prévoit:
le renforcement du Plan d’Action Forestier National (PAFN);
l’élaboration d’un programme national de lutte contre la désertification;
l’élaboration d’une stratégie et plan d’action pour la conservation
de la diversité biologique
Le PAFN prévoit:
l’amélioration de l’approvisionnement des populations en produits
forestiers;
la préservation du patrimoine forestier et augmentation du taux
de couverture forestière du pays;
la lutte contre la dégradation du milieu par l’intensification
des reboisements, l’aménagement des forêts et la promotion
de l’agrosylviculture
Le PAN prévoit:
la promotion d’une gestion rationnelle des ressources naturelles;
le renforcement de la lutte contre les feux de brousse.
Ce plan prévoit:
le renforcement des capacités juridiques de conservation et
d’utilisation rationnelle et durable de la biodiversité;
le renforcement de la lutte contre les feux de brousse;
la conservation et l’aménagement des écosystèmes forestiers
4.3 Utilisation des produits forestiers non ligneux et répartition des bénéfices
Le droit forestier reconnaît l’utilisation des produits forestiers ligneux aux populations riveraines des forêts
classées. Ces produits pour la plupart ne sont pas incorporés dans les plans d’aménagement et constituent
des sources de revenus d’appoint aux riverains.
En outre dans le cadre de la gestion participative, 7% des produits de l’exploitation sont
automatiquement versés aux populations riveraines en plus des sous produits de l’aménagement
(houppiers, chutes de bois, produits tordus etc.) Des mesures sont également prise pour l’organisation, la
promotion d’activités génératrices de revenus et le développement de l’entreprenariat au sein de ces
populations. Dans certaines forêts classées la plupart des travaux d’entretien et de coupe sont sous-traités
à des organisations paysannes.
5.0
FACTEURS DEFAVORABLES A L’AMENAGEMENT FORESTIER DURABLE
5.1 Problèmes liés à la gouvernance
L’ODEF est une institution qui est supposé disposer d’une autonomie administrative et financière.
Cependant, force est de constater une interférence parfois assez contraignante dans ses actions. Parfois
les autorités perçoivent mal l’application des plans d’aménagement en ce qui concerne la composante
exploitation pour des raisons politiques.
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Sur le plan réglementaire, malgré la rigueur des textes, le secteur forestier togolais est caractérisé par
des cas d’exploitations frauduleuses très répandues même dans les forêts classées sous aménagement.
Cette situation provient de plusieurs facteurs:
•
•
•
•
l’insuffisance du personnel et des moyens de contrôle;
l’inadéquation et l’inapplication des textes;
la corruption dans le secteur de contrôle forestier;
la perméabilité de nos frontières.
5.2 Problèmes liés à la ressource
Les activités de plantation n’ont pas été soutenues d’année en année. Ainsi ont peut remarquer que le bilan
des plantations présente des trous assez énormes qu’il sera très difficile de balancer dans le souci d’une
production soutenu dans l’espace et dans le temps. Ceci constitue un handicap important. En outre, on
dénombre un nombre important de parcelles ayant largement dépassé l’âge d’exploitabilité et qui continuent
à être maintenues sur pied pour des raisons d’humeur. Cette situation entraîne une perte de matière et prive
l’aménagement d’une partie de ressources financières.
Faut également noter le caractère atomique des parcelles de teck gérées par l’ODEF. En effet au début
de ses activités, l’objectif était la présence de l’ODEF dans toutes les localités du pays. Ceci s’était traduit
par des plantations en de petits blocs assez disséminés rendant aujourd’hui leur surveillance et gestion
assez difficiles. Les plantations très isolées sont devenues aujourd’hui la proie des exploitants clandestins.
Un autre facteur constitue le retard souvent accusé dans l’actualisation des plans d’aménagement.
Parfois cette opération prend deux (2) ou trois (3) ans ou plus pour des raisons financières et de manque
de personnel.
5.3 Problèmes liés à la recherche
Le Togo ne dispose pas de service de recherche forestière. Les actions actuellement en cours sur le terrain
sont guidées par des expériences et données collectées dans les pays voisins notamment la Cote d’Ivoire
et le Ghana. Cette lacune ne permet pas de répondre à des questions spécifiques sur le terrain d’où très
peu de progrès accompli dans la sylviculture de certaines espèces, la mise en place de critères et
indicateurs nationaux etc.
L’absence de travaux de recherche se traduit également par la faible productivité de plusieurs
parcelles. Il y a eu très peu de travaux sur l’écologie et la pédologie des espèces plantées le plus souvent
au hasard ou par simple appréciation du responsable de l’opération.
5.4 Problèmes institutionnels
Le secteur forestier bien que contribuant pour près de 12 % à la constitution du PIB, n’a pas le soutien
mérité des autorités politiques. Malgré les réformes institutionnelles récemment intervenues, l’ensemble des
services forestiers exerçant des missions régaliennes souffrent de problème de dotation budgétaire et de
moyens techniques pour l’accomplissement de leurs missions. L’ODEF dans une certaine mesure doit
contribuer au fonctionnement du Ministère par la mise à disposition d’une partie de ses ressources. Ceci
présente des incidences négatives sur ses activités. Il convient également de rappeler que le manque de
compétence conduit à l’absence d’approbation des plans d’aménagement ou au retard dans l’adoption des
plans de travail soumis par l’office.
5.5 Problèmes législatifs et réglementaires
La plupart des textes forestiers en vigueur datent de plusieurs décennies déjà. Le décret du 5 février 1938
sur lequel repose la législation forestière se révèle aujourd’hui à tout point caduc et difficilement applicable
à tout égard. Malgré les corrections apportées à travers des arrêtés et autre décret, on semble aujourd’hui
nager dans un vide juridique. Le nouveau code en préparation connaît une évolution très lente pour des
raisons de lourdeurs administratives.
5.7 Problèmes environnementaux
La pression exercée sur les forêts naturelles, à travers les coupes illégales et l’agriculture itinérante, a
conduit à leur appauvrissement sévère et à leur émiettement. Ceci nécessite des travaux coûteux de
réhabilitation ou de conversion en plantation forestière.
L’appauvrissement des forêts naturelles constitue un facteur favorisant les prélèvements illicites dans
les domaines gérés par l’ODEF. Ces coupes le plus souvent perpétrées de nuit endommagent
sérieusement l’architecture des peuplements ce qui crée des problèmes pour la conduite des travaux
sylvicoles. L’avenir de certaines parcelles est ainsi hypothéqué.
5.8 Problèmes socio-économiques
La plupart des populations à l’intérieur ou avoisinantes des forêts classées vivent dans un état de précarité
économique malgré les mesures officielles prises. Elles s’adonnent essentiellement à l’agriculture itinérante
sur brûlis, à la récolte de PFNL et de bois de feu. Face à des revenus agricoles de plus en plus faibles pour
cause d’instabilité climatique, des prix d’achat de plus en plus élevés des engrais et des pesticides faute de
la subvention de l’Etat, la récolte de bois de feu constituent une source de revenu substantiel pour ces
populations. Cette situation accroît la pression sur le reste des forêts naturelles et favorise les vols dans les
plantations de l’ODEF.
6.0 CONCLUSION
La promotion du reboisement et de l’aménagement durable des plantations forestières au Togo a fait
quelques progrès grâce à la création de la structure spécialisée qu’est l’ODEF. Cependant cette disposition
a elle seule ne suffit pas. Pour une amélioration de la situation, il y a nécessité de:
•
•
•
•
•
•
la liberté d’action de la structure en charge;
la fluidité des procédures administratives;
le développement des compétences;
le soutien politique et financier du gouvernement;
l’appui d’un service de recherche;
l’adhésion des populations ainsi que l’amélioration de leurs conditions de vie.
La certification constitue aujourd’hui un passage obligé pour une meilleure commercialisation des
produits forestiers de quelques sources que se soit. Ainsi donc l’objectif de certification des plantations de
l’ODEF constitue une priorité pour les prochaines décennies. Pour cela, le développement de critères et
indicateurs d’aménagement propre au Togo s’avère indispensable au regard de ce qui se passe dans les
autres pays. Un engagement ferme des autorités politiques et des responsables de l’ODEF à atteindre cet
objectif sera nécessaire. Dès lors l’adhésion de notre pays aux C&I d’aménagement de l’OIBT et de OABOIBT et au projet OAB-OIBT, PD 124/01 Rev. 2 (M) « Promotion de l’aménagement durable des forêts
africaines » constitue une primeur.
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A FOREST CONCESSION MANAGED ON A SUSTAINABLE BASIS BY AN INDUSTRIAL
COMPANY: THE CASE OF ROUGIER GABON IN HAUT-ABANGA
UNE CONCESSION FORESTIERE GEREE DURABLEMENT PAR UN EXPLOITANT-INDUSTRIEL:
L’EXEMPLE DE ROUGIER GABON DANS LE HAUT-ABANGA
UN CONCESIONARIO FORESTAL MANEJADO DE FORMA SOSTENIBLE POR UNA EMPRESA INDUSTRIAL:
EL CASO DE ROUGIER GABÓN EN HAUT-ABANGA
N. Bayol
Groupe Rougier
SUMMARY
Sustainable forest management has become a reality on the 282,626 ha. of the Forest Concession Under Sustainable
Management (CFAD) in Haut-Abanga, allocated to ROUGIER GABON, a subsidiary of the Groupe Rougier, based in
France.
The management plan, which is based on a thorough analysis of the concession and its environment, was
approved in 2002. This approval represents not only the satisfactory result of a long process for integrating sustainable
management into the structure of ROUGIER GABON (established in 1996) but is also the prelude to a new challenge
for the company, i.e. the practical implementation of all the measures envisaged by the management plan.
The drafting of the Management Plan is the result of a thorough knowledge of the initial situation regarding the
natural resources, ecosystems and social data. All these data are obtained through large scale efforts, as evidenced by
the figures: field surveys of 3,450 ha, more than 1,700 km of tracks opened, inventories and precise mapping of 6,900
half hectare plots, 750,000 trees counted, measured and identified, 20,000 observations carried out on large species of
fauna, socio-economic investigation and diagnosis, and last, the recruitment of about fifty full-time personnel during
more than one year.
The management inventory, a key element in the planning of forest harvesting, gives precise indications of the
current and future timber resource in the 20-30,000 ha Forest Management Units and advises on the company’s choices
for industrialization and commercial development. It also makes it possible to carry out other work, such as the study of
the flora and fauna diversity, the evaluation of the potential in non-timber forest products or the improvement of thematic
mapping of the area. Other technical forestry studies complete the work, ranging from the preparation of the
Management Plan, to supplying the necessary tools to forecast harvests and monitoring the post-harvest evolution of
the stands.
The core data on ecosystem dynamics are expanded and refined. After the analysis phase, which is being increasingly
developed with the aid of modern data-processing tools, the company can determine its strategic choices according to
the capacity and diversity of the forest.
The major challenge for ROUGIER GABON is to succeed in ensuring the long term compatibility between its
industrial and commercial needs and the available forest resource.
Another challenge will be to reconcile its goal to both ensuring the viability of its activity and meeting social and
environmental needs satisfactorily.
The Management Plan for the next 25 years is thus devoted to transforming the role of ROUGIER GABON from
one of forest development to one of ecosystem management.
Efforts are continuing in respect of reduced impact logging, forest planning, monitoring and evaluation of activities,
social and environmental contributions. Already quite advanced towards the sustainable forest management, ROUGIER
GABON is aware that the process must continue. Achievements must be consolidated, the system of sustainable
management must be improved year by year.
However, the road is still long and the upheavals undergone within the company are being gradually assimilated:
new know-how, new working methods, new relations in-house and with external partners. The role of ROUGIER GABON
as forest developer is changing: it is becoming that of forest manager. To succeed in its endeavour, ROUGIER GABON
has, in recent years, initiated and continued to promote a new dialogue between partners in sustainable management
in Gabon, including NGOs, people’s representatives, administration agents, researchers, etc., who meet, exchange
views and progress together in the general interest.
Progress made so far by ROUGIER GABON was recognized, not only at the national level by the Forest
Administration, but also at the international level, by the Keurhout Foundation which issued ROUGIER GABON with a
certificate of sustainable forest management in 2003 (following an audit by DNV). In 2002, within the framework of its
“In Search of Excellence” initiative aimed at identifying and documenting success stories in sustainable forest
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management, FAO selected the CFAD of Haut-Abanga as a model which can be a source of inspiration to actors in the
forest sector and result in the wider application of improved forest management practices including all the aspects of
sustainable development.
RESUME
La gestion forestière durable est désormais une réalité sur la Concession Forestière Sous Aménagement Durable
(CFAD) du Haut-Abanga, attribuée à la société ROUGIER GABON, filiale du Groupe Rougier, dont le siège est en
France, d’une surface de 282.626 ha.
Le plan d’aménagement, qui repose sur une solide analyse de la concession et de son environnement, a été agréé
en 2002, et cet agrément, s’il marque bien l’aboutissement d’un long processus d’intégration de la gestion durable dans
la structure de ROUGIER GABON, initié en 1996, constitue surtout le prélude à un nouveau défi pour l’entreprise: la
mise en pratique toutes les mesures prévues par le plan d’aménagement.
La rédaction du Plan d’Aménagement résulte d’une connaissance fine de la situation initiale sur le plan des
ressources naturelles, des écosystèmes et des données sociales. Toutes ces données sont obtenues au prix d’un
travail de grande envergure, les chiffres en témoignent: 3 450 ha inventoriés en plein, plus de 1 700 km de layons
ouverts, 6 900 placettes de 0,5 ha inventoriées et cartographiées précisément, 750 000 arbres comptés, mesurés et
identifiés, 20 000 observations effectuées sur la grande faune, travaux d’enquête et de diagnostic socio-économique,
enfin la mobilisation d’une cinquantaine de personnes à temps plein pendant plus d’un an !
L’inventaire d’aménagement, élément clé de la planification d’un prélèvement forestier donne une indication
précise de la ressource actuelle et future en bois d’œuvre sur des Unités Forestières de Gestion de 20 à 30 000 ha et
oriente les choix d’entreprise en matière d’industrialisation et de développement commercial. Il rend aussi possible
d’autres travaux, tels que l’étude de la diversité végétale et faunique, l’évaluation du potentiel en produits forestiers
autres que le bois d’œuvre ou l’amélioration de la cartographie thématique de la zone. D’autres études forestières
techniques complètent le travail de préparation du Plan d’Aménagement, de la fourniture des outils nécessaires aux
prévisions de récolte jusqu’au suivi de l’évolution des peuplements après leur exploitation.
Les données de base sur la dynamique des écosystèmes s’enrichissent et s’affinent. Après la phase d’analyse,
de plus en plus poussée grâce aux outils modernes de traitement informatique, l’entreprise peut arrêter ses choix
stratégiques compatibles avec la possibilité et la diversité forestière.
Le challenge majeur que ROUGIER GABON s’efforce de réussir est d’assurer sur le long terme la compatibilité entre
ses besoins industriels et commerciaux et la ressource forestière à sa disposition,
Son autre défi sera de concilier sa volonté de continuer à vivre de son activité et celle de répondre utilement aux
demandes sociales et environnementales.
Ce plan d’aménagement pour les 25 années à venir consacre donc la mutation de ROUGIER GABON exploitant
forestier en ROUGIER GABON gestionnaire d’écosystèmes.
Les efforts entrepris se poursuivent en matière d’exploitation à faible impact, de planification forestière, de suiviévaluation des activités, de contributions sociales et environnementales. Déjà bien avancé sur le chemin de la gestion
forestière durable, ROUGIER GABON est conscient que le processus continue. Les acquis doivent être consolidés, le
système de gestion durable doit être amélioré chaque année.
La route est toutefois encore longue et les bouleversements provoqués au sein de l’entreprise se digèrent
graduellement: nouveaux savoir-faire, nouvelles méthodes de travail, nouvelles relations en interne et avec les
partenaires extérieurs… Le métier de l’exploitant forestier ROUGIER GABON se transforme: il devient gestionnaire
forestier. Pour mener à bien son engagement ROUGIER GABON a ouvert et continue d’animer un dialogue inédit entre
les partenaires de la gestion durable au Gabon ces dernières années: ONG, représentants des populations, agents de
l’administration, chercheurs… qui se rencontrent, échangent et progressent ensemble dans l’intérêt de général.
Les progrès réalisés jusqu’ici chez ROUGIER GABON ont été reconnus, non seulement au niveau national par
l’Administration Forestière, mais aussi sur le plan international, par la fondation Keurhout qui a délivré à ROUGIER
GABON un certificat de gestion forestière durable en 2003 (suite audit réalisé par DNV). La FAO, dans le cadre de son
initiative «Recherche d’excellence» visant à identifier et documenter les exemples réussis d’aménagement durable des
forêts, a retenu en 2002 la CFAD du Haut-Abanga comme un modèle pouvant constituer une source d’inspiration pour
les acteurs du secteur forestier et donner lieu à une application plus vaste de pratiques de gestion forestière améliorée
et incluant tous les aspects du développement durable.
RESUMEN
La ordenación forestal sostenible ya es una realidad en el área de 282.626 ha de la concesión forestal bajo manejo
sostenible (CFAD) de Haut-Abanga, adjudicada a la sociedad ROUGIER GABON, una filial del Grupo Rougier, con
sede en Francia.
El plan de manejo, basado en un sólido análisis de la concesión y su entorno, se aprobó en 2002. Esta aprobación
no sólo representa la culminación de un largo proceso de integración de la ordenación sostenible dentro de la estructura
de ROUGIER GABON, iniciado en 1996, sino que constituye sobre todo el preludio de un nuevo desafío para la
empresa: la aplicación de todas las medidas previstas en su plan de manejo.
La elaboración del plan de manejo se fundamentó en un profundo conocimiento de la situación inicial relacionada
con los recursos naturales, los ecosistemas y los aspectos sociales. Todos estos datos se obtuvieron a costa de un
esfuerzo de gran envergadura, como lo demuestran las estadísticas: inventario de 3,450 hectáreas, apertura de más
de 1.700 km de caminos, inventario y cartografiado preciso de 6.900 parcelas de 0,5 ha, cómputo, medición e
identificación de 750.000 árboles, 20.000 observaciones sobre la fauna mayor, encuestas y diagnósticos
socioeconómicos y, por último, la movilización de alrededor de cincuenta empleados a jornada completa durante más
de un año.
El inventario de manejo, componente clave de la planificación del aprovechamiento forestal, da una indicación
precisa de los recursos maderables presentes y futuros en las Unidades de Ordenación Forestal de 20 a 30.000 ha, y
orienta las decisiones de la empresa en materia de industrialización y desarrollo comercial. Asimismo, permite llevar a
cabo otros trabajos, como el estudio de la diversidad de flora y fauna, la evaluación del potencial de los productos
forestales no maderables o el mejoramiento de los mapas temáticos de la zona. Con otros estudios técnicos forestales
se completa el trabajo, desde la preparación del plan de manejo forestal y la provisión de las herramientas necesarias
para las proyecciones de corta, hasta el seguimiento de la evolución de los rodales forestales después de su
explotación.
Los datos básicos sobre la dinámica de los ecosistemas se amplían y ajustan constantemente. Después de la fase
del análisis, cada vez más adelantado gracias a la disponibilidad de los modernos recursos de informática, la empresa
puede determinar sus decisiones estratégicas conforme a la posibilidad y la diversidad del bosque.
El principal desafío para ROUGIER GABON es lograr asegurar la compatibilidad a largo plazo entre sus necesidades
industriales y comerciales y el recurso forestal a su disposición.
Su otro desafío será conciliar su meta de garantizar la viabilidad de su actividad con el objetivo de responder
satisfactoriamente a las exigencias sociales y ambientales.
Por lo tanto, este plan de manejo para los próximos 25 años está dirigido a transformar la compañía actual de
explotación forestal ROUGIER GABON en una empresa de manejo de ecosistemas.
Hoy la empresa continúa sus labores en materia de extracción de impacto reducido, planificación forestal, seguimiento
y evaluación de actividades, y beneficios sociales y ambientales. Pese a estar ya muy avanzada en el camino de la
ordenación forestal sostenible, ROUGIER GABON es consciente de que el proceso debe continuar. Los logros
alcanzados deben consolidarse y el sistema de ordenación sostenible debe mejorarse año tras año.
Sin embargo, el camino por recorrer aún es largo y los trastornos provocados en el seno de la empresa se asimilan
gradualmente: nuevos conocimientos prácticos, nuevos métodos de trabajo y nuevas relaciones a nivel interno y con
los socios externos. ROUGIER GABON está cambiando su función de explotador de bosques para convertirse en un
agente de la ordenación forestal. Para cumplir con este fin, la empresa, en los últimos años, ha iniciado y continúa
manteniendo un diálogo inédito entre las distintas partes interesadas del ámbito de la ordenación forestal sostenible en
Gabón: ONGs, representantes de las comunidades, entidades de la administración pública, investigadores, etc.,
quienes se reúnen para intercambiar ideas y avanzan en conjunto en pro del interés general.
El progreso alcanzado a la fecha por ROUGIER GABON fue reconocido no sólo a nivel nacional por la
Administración Forestal, sino también en el plano internacional, por la Fundación Keurhout, que le otorgó un certificado
de manejo forestal sostenible en 2003 (después de la inspección realizada por DNV). En 2002, la FAO, dentro del
marco de su iniciativa “En busca de la excelencia”, orientada a identificar y documentar ejemplos exitosos de
ordenación forestal sostenible, seleccionó la concesión CFAD de Haut-Abanga como un modelo que puede constituir
una fuente de inspiración para los actores del sector forestal y conducir a la aplicación más amplia de mejores prácticas
de manejo forestal que incluyan todos los aspectos del desarrollo sostenible.
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
Cette étude a été réalisée à l’initiative de l’OIBT et du gouvernement de Malaisie dans le cadre du projet «
Private sector success stories on sustainable forest management ».
Le cas présenté ici d’aménagement forestier réussi ici est l’aménagement de la Concession Forestière
sous Aménagement Durable (CFAD)du Haut-Abanga , attribuée à la société ROUGIER GABON, d’une
superficie de 288.626 hectares située dans les provinces du Woleu-Ntem et de l’Estuaire.
2.0 DESCRIPTION DE L’ENTREPRISE ET DE LA CFAD: LES ELEMENTS CLE
Trois générations de la famille ROUGIER ont su développer, depuis la création de l’entreprise en 1923, une
véritable philosophie du bois, reposant sur trois piliers, économiser et respecter la matière première,
promouvoir et valoriser une meilleure utilisation des essences, élaborer et développer des concepts de
produits innovants. Le Groupe ROUGIER participe aujourd’hui aux différents métiers de la filière et
contribue au développement économique et social des pays où sont implantées ses filiales (2500
collaborateurs).
Présent depuis 50 ans en Afrique Centrale, le Groupe ROUGIER en est l’un des premiers exploitants
forestiers. Il est désormais entré dans un processus de gestion durable de ses propres concessions
forestières. Le Groupe ROUGIER est présent au Gabon depuis 1953, par sa filiale gabonaise, ROUGIER
GABON, entreprise privée. Sa carte d’identité:
Adresse:
Production de grumes:
Concessions exploitées par ROUGIER GABON:
Industrialisation:
ZI d’Oloumi - BP 130 - LIBREVILLE - GABON
285.000 m3/an
2 CFAD couvrant une superficie d’environ 600 000 ha
une usine de contreplaqués à Owendo, consommant 60.000 m3/an
une scierie en construction à Franceville, avec une production
prévisionnelle de 1 000 à 1 500 m3/mois de débités séchés et
avec possibilité d’aboutage, pour une consommation
mensuelle d’environ 3 000 m3
CFAD du Haut-Abanga couverte de forêts denses humides naturelles à plus de 99%
Nombre d’employés au Gabon: environ 950
Plan d’aménagement de la CFAD du Haut-Abanga déposé en Juillet 2001 et agréé en Janvier 2002
Certificat Keurhout (Gestion forestière durable et chaîne de traçabilité) obtenu en Mai 2003
Appui technique en gestion forestière assuré par le bureau d’études FORET RESSOURCES
MANAGEMENT - Espace Fréjorgues-Ouest - 60, Rue Henri Fabre- 34130 Mauguio - FRANCE
3.0
LES POINTS FORTS DE LA GESTION DURABLE DE LA CFAD DU HAUT-ABANGA (« CORE
STRENGTHS VIS-À-VIS SFM)
3.1 Bref historique du projet d’aménagement
Pour ROUGIER GABON, l’aménagement forestier est une activité nouvelle, mais qui s’inscrit dans une
longue tradition de bonne gestion et de planification à long terme des activités de l’entreprise.
La première étape du processus d’aménagement des concessions ROUGIER GABON, une étude
conceptuelle de faisabilité du projet d’aménagement de la Concession Forestière sous Aménagement
Durable (CFAD) du Haut-Abanga (sur 288 000 ha) a été réalisée en 1996 (FRM, 1996). Elle a abouti après
une phase d’internalisation des résultats de l’étude et de prises de décisions en 1998, à la signature d’une
convention provisoire d’aménagement – exploitation – transformation avec l’Administration Forestière
gabonaise; validité de la convention 3 ans, au terme desquels le plan d’aménagement doit être déposé.
En 1998 et 1999, le projet proprement dit a été initié. Une Cellule d’Aménagement a été installée au
sein de l’entreprise et les premiers travaux techniques ont débuté.
Un travail d’analyse a permis de mener à la fin de l’année 2000 une réflexion sur les orientations de
l’aménagement de la CFAD en liaison avec les options industrielles et commerciales de l’entreprise,
débouchant sur la rédaction d’un Plan d’Aménagement, agréé en janvier 2002. Les premiers documents de
gestion ont été rédigés et le programme de gestion forestière durable est désormais complètement mis en
œuvre sur la CFAD.
Un processus d’aménagement identique est actuellement en cours pour la deuxième CFAD attribuée
à ROUGIER GABON, la CFAD de l’Ogooué-Ivindo (sur 282.030 ha) : le plan d’aménagement soumis en
2003 à l’Administration est en cours d’examen et de mise en œuvre.
Fort de son expérience au Gabon, le Groupe ROUGIER s’est engagé à aménager l’ensemble de ses
concessions en Afrique Centrale selon les mêmes principes d’ici l’année 2006.
3.2 Les motivations de ROUGIER GABON
Ce fort engagement de ROUGIER GABON dans le processus d’aménagement de ses concessions
forestières répond à des motivations multiples:
• la mise en conformité avec la législation nationale et l’intégration stable dans l’économie locale
et nationale,
• la sécurisation de son patrimoine forestier: les concessions sont attribuées sur le long terme,
• la meilleure connaissance des ressources forestières, autorisant une planification de la
production et une meilleure visibilité à moyen et long terme,
• la rationalisation des activités d’exploitation forestière et l’augmentation de la productivité,
• le développement d’un projet global d’entreprise sur le long terme grâce à la planification des
activités et des investissements,
• une réponse aux attentes des marchés: ROUGIER GABON est devenu « certifiable » et
améliore son image.
3.3 Le choix d’un partenaire aménagiste-gestionnaire compétent
Se lançant dans une activité nouvelle, ROUGIER GABON a choisi de faire appel à une compétence externe
de spécialistes reconnue sur le plan international en matière de gestion forestière et de passer un contrat
d’assistance technique avec le bureau d’études FORET RESSOURCES MANAGEMENT (FRM). FRM
fournit une assistance technique permanente auprès de la Cellule Aménagement de ROUGIER GABON,
depuis 1999, un ingénieur forestier aménagiste est présent assisté d’experts FRM en cartographie, en
socio-économie, en économie, en gestion de projet. FRM assiste par ailleurs le Groupe ROUGIER sur les
autres dossiers d’aménagement-exploitation durable des concessions forestières dont il est attributaire en
Afrique Centrale.
Progressivement, l’ensemble du personnel de l’entreprise se trouve ainsi progressivement formé et
préparé à exploiter et gérer durablement ses concessions forestières.
4.0
UN PLAN D’AMÉNAGEMENT COMPLET BASÉ SUR UNE SOLIDE ANALYSE DE
L’ENVIRONNEMENT SUR LA CFAD
4.1 Les Etudes préparatoires
La rédaction du Plan d’Aménagement se base sur une connaissance très fine de la situation initiale de la
CFAD, en matière de ressources naturelles, d’écosystèmes et en matière sociale.
En effet, on ne peut bien gérer, et donc exploiter et valoriser, que ce que l’on connaît bien. L’ensemble
des décisions d’aménagement, de gestion ou d’exploitation nécessitent une étude préalable approfondie
des ressources disponibles et des milieux.
L’inventaire d’aménagement est l’élément clé de la planification à long terme des activités sur une
concession forestière, et l’occasion unique de relever le maximum d’informations sur le territoire à gérer.
Les objectifs de l’inventaire d’aménagement sont multiples : connaître précisément la ressource
actuelle et future en bois d’œuvre sur des Unités Forestières de Gestion de 20 à 30 000 ha, orienter tous
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les choix d’entreprise en matière d’industrialisation, de développement commercial, étudier la diversité
végétale et faunique, évaluer le potentiel en produits forestiers autres que le bois d’œuvre, améliorer la
cartographie thématique de la concession forestière.
L’inventaire d’aménagement porte sur l’ensemble de la CFAD. Il est impossible d’inventorier de
manière exhaustive une telle superficie. On a donc eu recours dans ce cas à un inventaire statistique sur
un échantillon représentatif de l’ensemble de la CFAD.
Pour l’aménagement de la CFAD du Haut-Abanga, ROUGIER GABON a effectué des choix techniques
adaptés à des objectifs ambitieux.
Ainsi, le désir de connaître la ressource sur le long terme a amené à compter toutes les essences, à
compter les tiges d’avenir à partir de 10 cm de diamètre (soit 340 tiges par hectare en moyenne), et à
rechercher dès aujourd’hui à mieux comprendre la dynamique des écosystèmes.
Considérant que l’aménagement doit être au service de l’entreprise tout en sécurisant le capital
forestier existant, les réflexions sur les choix d’aménagement et sur les choix d’entreprise sont menées en
parallèle et une grande importance a été accordée à l’étude qualitative de la ressource.
En pratique, l’inventaire s’est appuyé sur des layons légers ouverts en forêt à intervalles réguliers
(environ 2 kilomètres). Tous les arbres inventoriés sur 10 mètres de part et d’autre du layon ont été
identifiés, mesurés et appréciés en qualité. La conservation de la diversité biologique a été également l’une
des préoccupations fortes. Elle a conduit à prendre en compte la faune dans les relevés et à compter toutes
les essences d’arbres dans les inventaires (300 essences ont été identifiées sur la CFAD du Haut-Abanga).
Quelques chiffres donnent une idée de l’ampleur du travail qui a été accompli sur la CFAD : 3 450 ha
ont été inventoriés en plein, plus de 1 700 km de layons ouverts, 6 900 placettes inventoriées et
cartographiées précisément, 750 000 arbres comptés, mesurés et identifiés, 20 000 observations
effectuées sur la grande faune. L’ensemble a mobilisé 45 personnes à temps plein pendant plus d’un an.
Grâce au Système d’Information Géographique (SIG), la répartition des différents éléments relevés a
pu être étudiée : ainsi ont été dressées des cartes du potentiel en bois d’œuvre, mais également de la
diversité végétale, de l’abondance des différentes espèces animales et végétales, de la pression sur la
faune sauvage. Des milieux écologiques particuliers (forêts de montagne, dalles rocheuses, forêts basses
d’altitude, forêts marécageuses) ont été identifiés et bénéficieront d’une protection appropriée.
Une cartographie détaillée est primordiale pour un bon déroulement des opérations de terrain et
améliore sensiblement la compréhension des écosystèmes. Une carte forestière au 1:50 000ème a été
dressée à l’aide de photographies aériennes, et l’ensemble des données sont intégrées dans un SIG
dynamique.
D’autres études forestières techniques sont venues compléter le travail de préparation du Plan
d’Aménagement. Une étude de récolement a fourni les outils nécessaires aux prévisions de récolte. Un
réseau de placettes permanentes permet de suivre l’évolution des peuplements après leur exploitation, et
d’affiner petit à petit les données de base sur la dynamique des écosystèmes (vitesse de croissance et
mortalité naturelle).
Enfin, des études et des essais sont réalisés pour chercher à résoudre le déficit en régénération
naturelle de l’Okoumé, en complément des relevés de l’inventaire d’aménagement sur la régénération des
principales essences commerciales.
4.2 Le Plan d’Aménagement
A la phase d’étude et d’analyse de l’ensemble des conditions régnant sur la CFAD succède une phase de
réflexion sur les choix stratégiques à opérer en faveur de la gestion durable et de planification des actions
à entreprendre sur le long terme.
L’un des challenges majeurs de l’aménagement est de réussir l’adéquation entre besoins industriels et
commerciaux d’une part et ressource forestière d’autre part. Pour cela, ROUGIER GABON s’est efforcé
d’adapter son développement industriel et ses prospections commerciales à la ressource disponible et de
gérer dans le temps et l’espace son capital forestier de manière à en tirer le meilleur parti possible. L’autre
enjeu essentiel est de parvenir à concilier la volonté de l’entreprise de continuer à vivre de son activité avec
la prise en compte des demandes sociales et environnementales.
Le document d’aménagement planifie les activités sur la CFAD pour les 25 années à venir (FRMROUGIER GABON, 2001). Un nouveau document sera donc rédigé en 2026.
La première étape consiste à définir les objectifs qui seront assignés à la CFAD:
Objectif principal
1. Assurer une production durable de bois d’œuvre, économiquement supportable par l’entreprise,
destinée à l’exportation sous forme de grumes ou à la transformation industrielle au Gabon.
Objectifs associés
2. Garantir que les prélèvements effectués sur la CFAD en produits forestiers autres que le bois
d’œuvre, y compris en viande de chasse, ne mettent en danger ni les ressources (végétales et
animales), ni les écosystèmes;
3. S’assurer que l’écosystème forestier conserve après son exploitation un maximum de ses
fonctions écologiques et de sa biodiversité;
4. Protéger efficacement les sites particulièrement sensibles et ceux renfermant un potentiel
écologique exceptionnel ;
5. Permettre aux employés de ROUGIER GABON de vivre et travailler dans de bonnes conditions
et de disposer des moyens nécessaires à leur subsistance ;
6. Réaliser un programme d’études et de recherches sur la CFAD visant à améliorer les conditions
d’exploitation et de gestion forestières et à évaluer l’impact et la performance des mesures fixées
par le Plan d’Aménagement.
Cette réflexion stratégique se traduit sur le terrain par l’affectation de chaque objectif ou groupe
d’objectifs à une partie de la concession, les séries d’aménagement.
Ainsi, sur la CFAD du Haut-Abanga ont été définies: une série de production de bois d’œuvre, une série
de production sensible, une série de conservation de la biodiversité, et deux séries de protection. Les séries
de protection et de conservation (sur une surface totale de 9 411 hectares, soit 3% de la superficie de la
CFAD) ont été identifiées grâce au travail très fin d’analyse effectué lors des études préparatoires. Le choix
de l’emplacement de la série de conservation de la biodiversité s’est basé sur la découverte d’une zone à
très forte diversité spécifique ligneuse, avec en moyenne 57 essences différentes par placette de 0,5 ha,
dont 11 de la famille des Césalpiniacées. De plus, cette série est vierge de toute exploitation et pourra servir
de témoin pour l’observation des écosystèmes exploités.
4.3 Aménagement de la série de production
Pour aménager la série de production, l’évolution des forêts actuelles a été modélisée, au moyen d’un
logiciel développé par FRM (Forest Decision Program®) en utilisant les données d’inventaire et différentes
hypothèses sur la dynamique forestière.
Les paramètres d’aménagement, durée de rotation, diamètres minimums d’exploitabilité et liste des
essences objectif ont été fixés de manière à garantir une reconstitution satisfaisante des peuplements
forestiers exploitables. Le choix des différents paramètres s’est fait en relation étroite avec la direction de
ROUGIER GABON, sur la base des modélisations d’évolution des peuplements effectuées.
A ce stade crucial, l’entreprise prépare son avenir, décide de son projet d’entreprise sur le court et long
terme, élabore son projet d’investissement et de fonctionnement.
Reste ensuite à élaborer les décisions d’aménagement et de gestion. Les coupes ont été planifiées sur
deux Unités Forestières d’Aménagement (UFA), répondant à deux logiques d’exploitation et donc
exploitées par deux unités de production distinctes économiquement viables. Les UFA ont aussi été
divisées en Unités Forestières de Gestion (UFG) assurant des possibilités de production annuelle en
volume équivalentes.
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4.4 Documents de planification et de gestion
La planification de l’exploitation se décline à trois niveaux (cf. Tableau 1).
Tableau 1: les 3 niveaux de la planification
Unités (et nombre)
Unités Forestières d’Aménagement (2)
Unités Forestières de Gestion (4 +5)
Assiettes Annuelles de Coupe (2 x 25)
Sigle
UFA
UFG
AAC
Document
Plan d’Aménagement
Plan de gestion
Plan Annuel
d’Opérations
Durée
durée de la rotation (25 ans)
4 à 7 ans
1 an (ouverture possible sur
3 ans)
4.5 Aménagement des autres séries
Sur les séries de conservation et de protection, qui couvrent près de 10.000 ha, toute exploitation est
interdite, ainsi que toute pénétration d’engin forestier.
Des investigations complémentaires sont à réaliser sur ces séries, en collaboration avec des ONG, des
université, des instituts de recherche afin de préciser les mesures de conservation à prendre.
4.6 Le plan d’industrialisation
ROUGIER GABON dispose d’une usine de déroulage et de fabrication de contreplaqués consommant
environ 60.000 m3 de bois chaque année, et dont la capacité de production a été augmentée de 50% en
2001. L’approvisionnement de cette usine sera diversifié (basses qualités de grumes et essences nouvelles)
de manière à mieux valoriser la ressource disponible.
Dans les prochaines années, l’outil industriel de ROUGIER au GABON sera développé avec
l’installation d’une scierie dans la région du Haut-Ogooué, permettant de produire des avivés notamment à
partir de bois de récupération.
Des études de marché sont lancées en parallèle pour estimer la rentabilité d’autres unités. Une analyse
de la ressource disponible orientée vers les caractéristiques technologiques de chaque essence a été
conduite pour guider les choix en matière d’industrie.
La mise en œuvre du plan d’aménagement: la mutation d’un exploitant forestier en gestionnaire
d’écosystèmes
Une production de bois d’œuvre rationalisée, respectueuse de son environnement
Exploitation à Impact Réduit (EIR)
L’étude d’impact environnemental a établi un diagnostic précis des divers impacts de l’activité
d’exploitation forestière sur les écosystèmes forestiers et les populations humaines locales. La grille
d’analyse des impacts reprend toutes les activités de l’entreprise, liste les impacts engendrés par chaque
activité, évalue l’importance de l’impact et les latitudes de réduction, puis propose des mesures de
limitation.
Les mesures proposées ont été choisies de manière à être aisément applicables et contrôlables. Elles
sont ensuite consignées dans des procédures opérationnelles (ou consignes) distribuées à chaque employé
pour son domaine d’intervention. Chaque employé est désormais évalué non seulement en fonction de sa
productivité, mais aussi en fonction du bon respect des procédures opérationnelles, y compris en matière
de réduction d’impact. Cette évaluation se base sur des contrôles ciblés sur le terrain.
4.7 Inventaire d’exploitation
L’étape clé de la mise en œuvre du Plan d’Aménagement est l’inventaire d’exploitation qui autorise à la fois
une planification à court terme de l’exploitation et une rationalisation des opérations d’exploitation. Elle se
situe par conséquent au cœur de la gestion durable de la forêt.
La mise en œuvre des décisions d’aménagement nécessite, notamment sur le potentiel exploitable, un
inventaire précis des peuplements forestiers sur les zones amenées à être exploitées à court terme. Cet
inventaire parcourt l’ensemble de la surface productive de la CFAD sur la durée d’application du Plan
d’Aménagement.
Les principales caractéristiques de cet inventaire dit d’exploitation sont les suivantes:
•
•
•
•
•
il intervient plus d’un an avant le passage de l’exploitation, apportant une visibilité de la production
qui n’existait pas jusqu’alors;
il s’agit d’un inventaire « en plein », c’est à dire concernant l’ensemble des tiges sur un territoire
donné (au contraire de l’inventaire d’aménagement, qui est un inventaire statistique);
il prend en compte toutes les tiges d’essences principales mais aussi secondaires mesurant plus
de 70 cm de diamètre ;
il est couplé à une cartographie très fine, à l’échelle du 1:2 500ème, des arbres inventoriés, des
éléments hydrographiques et topographiques, et des contraintes d’exploitation;
il est suivi d’un travail de planification, sur carte et sur le terrain, de l’ensemble des travaux
d’exploitation.
Le très grand intérêt de ces nouvelles méthodes pour réduire les dégâts, pressenti par une étude
réalisée en 2000 (Tancré, 2000), a été confirmé par l’application à grande échelle de l’inventaire
d’exploitation couplé à la planification des opérations. Les règles appliquées par les équipes chargées de
la planification portent sur:
•
•
•
•
la limitation des pentes,
la limitation des longueurs de piste,
la protection des tiges résiduelles,
la protection des cours d’eau.
A l’issue de l’inventaire d’exploitation, des synthèses du potentiel disponible sur les Assiettes Annuelles
de Coupe (AAC) sont éditées ainsi que des cartes prévisionnelles d’exploitation. Ces documents, joints au
Plan Annuel d’Opérations (document de planification annuelle), permettent un suivi au jour le jour de
l’exploitation et une traçabilité complète des grumes.
4.8 Règles d’exploitation forestière
Le Plan d’Aménagement a défini un large panel de règles d’exploitation forestière, qui ont ensuite été
consignées dans les procédures opérationnelles destinées au personnel de terrain. Nous donnons ici un
aperçu de ces règles.
5.0 RESTRICTIONS D’EXPLOITATION
A l’intérieur de la Série de production, seuls sont exploités des arbres dont le diamètre à la base est
supérieur aux Diamètres Minimums d’Exploitabilité (DME) fixés par le Plan d’Aménagement.
6.0 ABATTAGE
La technique d’abattage appliquée, l’abattage contrôlé, améliore les conditions de sécurité, limite les
gaspillages de bois et permet une meilleure maîtrise de la direction de chute (même s’il ne s’agit pas d’un
abattage directionnel, particulièrement difficile à mettre en œuvre en forêt gabonaise).
L’ensemble des abatteurs ont suivi une formation à la nouvelle technique d’abattage, dispensée par
des experts hollandais.
7.0 DÉBARDAGE ET DÉBUSCAGE
Le tracé des pistes de débardage est fait par l’équipe de pistage (cf. paragraphe sur l’inventaire
d’exploitation). Ce tracé est matérialisé sur le terrain et reporté sur un plan de la parcelle d’exploitation
comportant également les tiges à exploiter avec leur numéro.
Les conducteurs d’engins doivent respecter les pistes tracées par l’équipe de pistage de manière à
limiter les dégâts sur l’écosystème.
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Les tiges d’avenir et semenciers signalés le long des pistes de débardage et débuscage doivent être
préservés.
Les débusqueurs doivent éviter de pénétrer à l’intérieur des zones inondées et dans le lit des cours
d’eau et chercher à tirer les billes depuis l’extérieur de ces zones.
Sur les pistes de débardage, les traversées de cours d’eau se font au moyen de buses qui seront
détruites à la fin de l’exploitation de manière à garantir un bon rétablissement du régime hydrologique.
8.0 LIMITATION DES PERTES DE BOIS
A chacune des étapes, des efforts sont faits pour limiter les gaspillages. Des études réalisées entre 1999 et
2003 se sont intéressées au récolement entre le volume fût abattu et le volume commercialisé. Une
amélioration de plus de 15% a été mise en évidence dans l’utilisation du bois abattu, grâce à la formation
en abattage contrôlé et à des efforts importants de récupération de billons de moindre qualité pour l’usine
de déroulage de ROUGIER GABON.
Cet effort en faveur d’une meilleure valorisation de la ressource sera intensifié durant les prochaines
années, en relation avec le développement de l’outil industriel.
9.0 LIMITATION DES POLLUTIONS CHIMIQUES
Les huiles de vidange sont récupérées et ne sont en aucun cas abandonnées dans la nature. Les huiles
sont ensuite acheminées vers un site de recyclage. Cette option technique est totalement nouvelle dans
l’exploitation forestière africaine.
L’ensemble des autres déchets générés par l’exploitation sont récupérés et selon leur nature brûlés,
enterrés ou stockés.
10.0 ROUTES
Le réseau routier secondaire est optimisé en fonction des données de l’inventaire d’exploitation. Il s’agit
sans aucun doute du poste sur lequel les gains économiques et écologiques d’une bonne planification sont
les plus conséquents.
Les consignes pour la construction des routes visent à améliorer le drainage, limiter l’érosion, réduire
les surfaces perturbées et améliorer les conditions de sécurité.
Bien entendu, ce travail de réduction de l’impact de l’exploitation est encore en chantier, mais les
progrès réalisés au cours des deux dernières années sont considérables et portent leurs fruits sur le terrain.
11.0 MESURES DE SUIVI CONTRÔLE DE L’EXPLOITATION
11.1 Rapports d’évaluation de l’application des documents de gestion
L’ensemble des mesures préconisées est consigné dans les différents documents de gestion rédigés. Mais
il est important de s’assurer de l’efficacité et de la pertinence de ces mesures, aussi bien pour perfectionner
en permanence le système de gestion que pour pouvoir communiquer sur des réalisations concrètes
réellement mises en œuvre.
Un manuel décrivant le système de gestion durable détaille chaque procédure, sa mise en œuvre et le
suivi évaluation de cette mise en œuvre. Les responsables pour chaque procédure sont définis.
Le principe adopté est que chaque document doit faire l’objet, à la fin de sa période d’application, d’un
rapport d’évaluation, puis les conclusions de ces rapports permettront soit de renforcer l’exécution des
mesures mal appliquées, soit de définir des mesures mieux adaptées. Cette procédure a déjà été employée
notamment lors de la mise en place de l’inventaire d’exploitation.
11.2 Contrôles Post-Exploitation: internes et externes
Les agents des Eaux et Forêts effectuent régulièrement des inspections sur le terrain pour s’assurer de la
bonne application des plans d’aménagement, des plans de gestion et des plans annuels d’opérations.
Une méthodologie de contrôle interne mensuel sur le terrain des différentes tâches a été mis en place.
En ce qui concerne l’exploitation, un contrôle post-exploitation révèle les infractions dans l’application des
règles adoptées : mauvaise application de l’abattage contrôlé, tracé de pistes de débardage inadapté ou
non respecté, dégâts causés aux tiges d’avenir, abandons de bois utilisables, pollutions, création de
marécages… Des mesures correctives peuvent alors être prises rapidement.
11.3 Suivi de l’exploitation
Le suivi de l’exploitation se fait désormais depuis l’arbre sur pied, localisé et identifié de manière unique.
Un système complet de suivi des produits d’exploitation depuis la grume en forêt jusqu’à sa
transformation et/ou sa commercialisation a été développé. L’ensemble des données est associé à un
Système d’Informations Géographiques.
Le suivi informatisé qui a été mis en place permet:
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•
•
d’assurer une traçabilité des fûts et grumes depuis l’arbre sur pied jusqu’à la vente ou la
transformation (positionnement géographique, numéros de prospection et de carnet de chantier,
différentes mesures et cubages effectués, dates d’évacuation…),
la détection des « pertes » de billes injustifiées en cours d’exploitation,
l’évaluation des rendements et performances par agent et par parcelle d’exploitation,
l’édition de l’ensemble des documents de suivi interne et de ceux destinés à l’Administration.
Les nouvelles technologies, alliées à des méthodes d’exploitation performantes, à un encadrement
rigoureux des activités et à une formation adaptée du personnel, créent les conditions favorables à une
exploitation forestière durable, efficace et dont l’impact sur l’environnement reste raisonnable.
12.0 DES ACTIONS NOUVELLES DE CONSERVATION DES MILIEUX ET DE LA FAUNE
Partant du constat que la seule pression anthropique qui est à même de remettre en cause la pérennité de
l’écosystème est la chasse et en particulier la chasse à but commercial, un plan de gestion de la faune a
été préparé et un appui financier complémentaire a été sollicité auprès des bailleurs de fonds, ROUGIER
GABON s’engageant à financer une partie du programme.
Le démarrage de ce programme est conditionné par l’obtention d’une aide externe de l’entreprise
limitant le poids de l’investissement de ROUGIER GABON en faveur d’une action d’intérêt général. Une
partie des mesures prévues est déjà mise en œuvre actuellement, en particulier celles qui concernent
directement les employés de ROUGIER GABON.
Le règlement intérieur intègre désormais des consignes strictes à respecter en ce qui concerne les
activités de chasse. Des contrôles réguliers sont effectués et les observations sont consignées. Les
infractions sont pénalisées selon un cahier des charges établi.
Pour ce qui est de l’activité des tiers, puisque les seules pistes disponibles à l’intérieur de la CFAD sont
des routes privées, ROUGIER GABON en interdit l’accès (au moyen d’une barrière gardée en permanence)
à toute personne extérieure à l’entreprise, sauf accord préalable de la Direction. Par contre, en ce qui
concerne l’interpellation des braconniers surpris à l’intérieur de la concession, ROUGIER GABON
continuera, comme par le passé, à s’en remettre aux autorités compétentes, telles que la Gendarmerie ou
la Direction de la Faune et de la Chasse.
Concernant les villages riverains de la CFAD, ROUGIER GABON ne s’oppose pas à la pratique de la
chasse coutumière, ni à la pratique de la chasse légale, mais ne les facilite pas, en particulier en interdisant
tout transport de chasseurs ou de viande à bord de ses véhicules et toute circulation de véhicules non
autorisés sur les routes de la CFAD.
13.0 UNE MEILLEURE PRISE EN COMPTE DES BESOINS SOCIAUX
La CFAD du Haut-Abanga n’abrite aucun village autochtone, la pression des populations locales sur les
écosystèmes est donc faible et parfaitement supportable écologiquement, si l’on excepte le problème de la
chasse commerciale. De plus, les enquêtes sociales approfondies qui ont été conduites dans tous les
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villages riverains (Ondo, 2001) n’ont relevé aucune revendication villageoise concernant les forêts de la
CFAD. Toutefois, ROUGIER GABON continue à être à l’écoute de ces populations et maintient des relations
paisibles avec les populations des environs.
De plus, ROUGIER GABON s’impliquera dans le développement local en s’appuyant sur les deux
orientations du code forestier gabonais (Présidence de la République Gabonaise, 2001) en la matière:
•
•
une contribution locale destinée à financer des projets au niveau local: l’enquête socioéconomique effectuée sur la deuxième CFAD de ROUGIER GABON a donné les directions pour
la gestion et l’utilisation de cette contribution ; des projets de développement pourront être
montés, en partenariat étroit avec les représentants des communautés villageoises et les
autorités locales;
la création de forêts communautaires: sur cette CFAD, le contexte n’est pas favorable à la
participation de ROUGIER GABON à la gestion de ces forêts communautaires; sur la deuxième
CFAD, ROUGIER GABON participe aux travaux de développement de ce concept nouveau au
Gabon, en abandonnant une partie du territoire de la CFAD au profit du domaine forestier rural;
sur ces surfaces, l’ensemble des travaux préparatoires au Plan d’Aménagement y ont été réalisés
et pourront être employés pour la préparation des Plans Simples de Gestion des forêts
communautaires.
Dans les camps forestiers installés par ROUGIER GABON, l’entreprise est à l’écoute permanente de
ses employés, par l’intermédiaire des représentants (délégués élus) du personnel et de ceux des résidents
(chefs de camp et chefs de quartier).
Soucieux du bien-être de ses travailleurs et de leurs familles, ROUGIER GABON s’engage à améliorer
les conditions de vie des résidents des camps forestiers. Ce programme social est rendu possible par la
pérennisation des structures installées sur la CFAD, désormais attribuée sur le long terme ; jusqu’alors, les
camps étaient provisoires et l’ensemble de la structure de production était appelée à déménager tous les 7
à 10 ans. Des investissements sociaux lourds deviennent aussi possibles grâce à la visibilité sur le long
terme qu’apporte le Plan d’Aménagement. C’est encore l’une des nombreuses conséquences positives de
la mise sous aménagement durable de la CFAD du Haut-Abanga.
Des mesures sociales avaient déjà été prises depuis longtemps par ROUGIER GABON : les prix de
vente des produits de première nécessité sont maintenus au niveau de ceux de la ville la plus proche (située
à près de 200 km), des dotations gratuites en médicaments sont fournies aux familles des travailleurs dans
les dispensaires, les cases sont électrifiées, deux instituteurs sont rémunérés par ROUGIER GABON, ils
assurent l’enseignement primaire, chaque camp dispose d’une salle de télévision recevant les émissions
locales et une chaîne internationale par satellite, toutes les obligations fixées par le Code du travail et la
convention collective des exploitations forestières sont respectées scrupuleusement et des efforts
importants sont consentis pour la formation continue du personnel.
ROUGIER GABON est bien décidé à aller plus en avant, de s’appuyer sur les résultats de l’enquête
socio-économique. Un plan quinquennal d’actions sociales a été préparé, sa mise en œuvre a débuté en
2002 et 2003, avec en particulier:
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•
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•
un appui au développement des cultures vivrières autour des deux camps forestiers;
une amélioration et une pérennisation de l’ensemble des infrastructures collectives. Les nouvelles
constructions sont réalisées en semi-dur. L’économat a déjà été réhabilité en 2000. En 2002,
l’infirmerie et la salle d’écoute ont été reconstruites;
l’amélioration des logements du personnel : progressivement, les anciennes cases sont
reconstruites et remplacées par des habitations plus spacieuses;
amélioration de la qualité de l’eau : un puits a été creusé et un système de filtrage garantira une
bonne qualité de l’eau distribuée sur des bornes fontaines;
amélioration des structures de santé et des conditions de sécurité : une convention de partenariat
•
a été signée avec un médecin, les résidents bénéficient de visites médicales régulières (la
première a eu lieu fin 2003), une formation continue des personnels de santé et une formation en
soins de première urgence sont programmées, les consignes de sécurité ont été renforcées;
amélioration de l’hygiène sur le camp : une collecte régulière des ordures ménagères est
instaurée, les déchets sont stockés dans une décharge puis brûlés.
14.0 UN SOUCI CONSTANT DE SE METTRE EN CONFORMITÉ AVEC LES STANDARDS
INTERNATIONAUX ET NOTAMMENT CEUX DE L’OAB/OIBT
La certification constitue l’aboutissement logique de tous les efforts entrepris. Car si elle n’a pas été le
moteur principal de l’engagement du GROUPE ROUGIER vers la gestion durable, elle doit apporter
maintenant la reconnaissance de la politique environnementale et des bonnes pratiques développées par
l’entreprise sur les marchés, et donc auprès de ses clients utilisateurs de bois tropicaux, et aussi auprès
des consommateurs. De plus, un regard externe améliore les performances de la gestion forestière durable.
Un premier audit de certification a été entrepris par ROUGIER GABON en 2002.
L’audit a été réalisé par un bureau spécialisé, DNV France, contrôlé, pour le standard Keurhout, par un
panel d’experts Keurhout. Il a mis en évidence la conformité du système de gestion durable de la CFAD du
Haut-Abanga avec les deux standards internationaux étudiés: Keurhout (gouvernement néerlandais) et
OAB/OIBT. Le certificat Keurhout a été délivré le 28 mai 2003, puis confirmé par le premier audit périodique
fin 2003.
Des non-conformités mineures ont été relevées lors de l’audit initial. Certaines ont été « fermées »
depuis, d’autres sont apparues et doivent être fermées avant le prochain audit. L’un des avantages de cette
démarche est la progressivité: ROUGIER GABON s’inscrit pleinement dans une perspective d’amélioration
continue de son système de gestion.
Les non-conformités mineures relevées par l’audit de certification par rapport au standard CIFOR-OAB
portent sur
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•
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•
l’amélioration de la cotation et de la maîtrise des impacts, et l’élargissement des études d’impacts
aux domaines touchant la santé et la sécurité des travailleurs;
l’amélioration de la diffusion de l’information interne et externe au niveau des personnes
intéressées, et de leur sensibilisation encore plus poussée à la démarche globale de gestion
durable;
la planification annuelle des formations, et la mise en place d’un système de suivi individuel de la
formation au niveau de chaque travailleur;
une amélioration du système de gestion de la chasse et du contrôle des actes illégaux de chasse;
la poursuite et le renforcement des mesures de contrôle des activités touchant à la gestion
forestière durable.
Comme déjà indiqué, des décisions ont été prises et des mesures sont en cours sur le terrain et dans
l’entreprise pour corriger ces insuffisances.
15.0 LES ENSEIGNEMENTS TIRÉS DE L’EXPÉRIENCE ROUGIER GABON SUR LA CFAD DU HAUTABANGA
15.1 Les points forts
Si l’on reprend les résultats des audits de certification, l’auditeur a noté comme principaux points forts de la
gestion forestière durable de la CFAD du Haut-Abanga:
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Un plan d’aménagement de très bonne qualité, avec notamment de bons choix pour les critères
de création de la série de conservation;
Une organisation particulièrement efficace tant au niveau de la Direction à Libreville que de la
direction de site basée sur la CFAD;
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•
•
•
•
•
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L’assistance technique internationale de FRM de qualité pour la mise au point de l’aménagement
durable;
Le développement industriel dans le pays, allant jusqu’à la deuxième transformation;
Une bonne implication et motivation du personnel, un encadrement jeune, dynamique et efficace;
Une maîtrise opérationnelle simple et efficace;
Des logiciels de saisie des données et de suivi des opérations particulièrement performants, une
traçabilité efficace des produits;
Une bonne étude d’impact environnemental;
Un plan d’actions quinquennal détaillé et bien documenté;
Un important effort de formation.
On peut encore ajouter comme facteurs ayant contribué au succès de la mise sous gestion durable de
la CFAD du Haut-Abanga, qui sont aussi des gages de réussite pour la poursuite des efforts engagés:
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Le souci constant de respecter en permanence le cadre législatif gabonais;
Le sérieux de l’entreprise, reconnu par l’ensemble de la profession, son implication complète dans
le processus de gestion durable;
La compétence et la motivation de ses responsables à tous les niveaux;
L’approche pragmatique développée, soucieuse de préserver les équilibres économiques et
sociaux;
Une concession forestière riche à la fois écologiquement et en bois d’œuvre, sur laquelle ne pèse
pas de menace de dégradation par l’action de l’homme.
En plus des audits de certification, la CFAD ROUGIER GABON a déjà bénéficié d’une reconnaissance
internationale de la part de la FAO, agence de l’ONU, dans le cadre d’un programme de partenariat FAO /
Pays-Bas, en collaboration avec l’Organisation Internationale des Bois Tropicaux (OIBT), l’Organisation
Africaine des Bois (OAB), l’Union Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature (UICN), le Fonds Mondial
pour la Nature (WWF), le Secrétariat du Réseau International des Forêts Modèles (SRIFM), et l’Association
Interafricaine des Industries Forestières (IFIA). La CFAD du Haut-Abanga a en effet été retenue comme cas
exemplaire d’aménagement forestier en Afrique Centrale (FAO, 2002).
15.2 Les Insuffisances
Le schéma technique adopté pour la préparation du Plan d’Aménagement de la CFAD du Haut-Abanga est
réplicable dans toutes les « grandes » concessions (plus de 200.000 ha environ) attribuées à des sociétés
industrielles sérieuses désireuses de s’engager dans la valorisation économique durable des ressources
forestières. Dans tous les pays du Bassin du Congo, les grands concessionnaires industriels sont déjà très
largement impliqués dans l’aménagement durable de leurs permis. Au Gabon, on devrait d’ici quelques
années atteindre 5 à 7 millions d’hectares de forêts de production aménagées.
Par contre, au Gabon comme dans les autres pays d’Afrique Centrale, il existe aussi des « petits »
permis attribués à des particuliers ou à des PME disposant de structures légères. Ces permis ne pourront
pas respecter les mêmes normes d’aménagement. Pourtant, il devront intégrer le mouvement actuel de
mise sous aménagement durable des forêts de production. Des solutions techniques de regroupement de
permis ou d’aménagements simplifiés, des adaptations réglementaires et des modes de financement
restent à trouver, comme l’a mis en évidence une étude récente (FRM -SYNFOGA, 2001).
Ces petits concessionnaires travaillent souvent de manière informelle, et à la limite de la légalité. De
plus, ils n’ont pas les mêmes pressions que les grandes entreprises cotées au niveau international.
Pour convaincre les concessionnaires encore hésitants du bien-fondé de l’aménagement, il est
nécessaire de créer des contraintes et des incitations nouvelles. La certification de bonne gestion agira
comme un levier du consommateur en faveur d’une meilleure gestion et offrira une prime aux bons élèves,
mais elle ne concerne pour l’instant qu’un marché étroit, en Europe. Les incitations nationales et
internationales pourront également lever quelques barrières. Les entreprises qui refusent de jouer le jeu
doivent en subir les conséquences. Celles qui sont engagées dans la gestion durable doivent être
favorisées, sinon elles souffriront d’une perte de compétitivité face à des concurrents déloyaux, agissant
dans l’illégalité et sans aucun respect pour la ressource et l’environnement forestier.
A l’heure actuelle, l’action de l’Administration forestière en faveur de la gestion durable est encore
insuffisante, les documents d’aménagement traînent de longs mois avant d’être approuvés, les entreprises
enfreignant la loi ne sont pas suffisamment sanctionnées, les contrôles sur le terrain sont trop rares. A
l’évidence, à l’instar du secteur privé, l’Administration a besoin d’être appuyée pour intégrer complètement
la nouvelle donne de la gestion durable.
La réussite du processus de gestion forestière durable passe par une collaboration étroite entre les
différents partenaires. Sur le terrain, les efforts engagés par ROUGIER GABON sont reconnus par les ONG
environnementales. Les ONG internationales « militantes » en revanche semblent méconnaître (voire
vouloir ignorer) les progrès réalisés. Ces groupes de pression environnementalistes doivent désormais
réaliser que le train de la gestion durable est en marche, et que la reconnaissance et l’appréciation du
chemin parcouru, loin de détourner du but, confortent dans leur choix et encouragent au contraire à
poursuivre leurs efforts les entreprises qui progressent sur le chemin délicat de la gestion durable des
ressources forestières tropicales.
Enfin, le marché international des bois tropicaux reste un élément capital, et difficilement maîtrisable,
pour la réussite des projets d’aménagement. Pour pouvoir gérer durablement la forêt tropicale d’Afrique,
une entreprise doit avant tout assurer sa survie économique. Des difficultés économiques peuvent remettre
en cause la pérennité des entreprises et leur engagement naissant, mais volontaire et déterminé, vers une
gestion durable des concessions forestières qui leur sont allouées. L’industrialisation contribuera à
améliorer la valeur ajoutée localement, à diversifier les productions et à réduire les risques, mais elle ne
sera jamais suffisante si les performances économiques de l’entreprise sont remises en cause.
15.3 Les leçons apprises et les perspectives
Il est important d’insister sur la révolution que provoque l’aménagement durable des concessions
forestières allouées à l’intérieur de l’entreprise : nouveaux savoir-faire, nouvelles méthodes de travail,
nouvelles relations en interne et avec les partenaires extérieurs… Bref, dans les concessions forestières de
l’Afrique Centrale, l’aménagement ne peut pas se faire en dehors de l’entreprise et encore moins contre
l’entreprise. Car même si la forêt appartient à l’Etat, l’exploitant forestier est présent au quotidien sur le
terrain, en relation avec les populations locales, acteur du développement local, bâtisseur
d’infrastructures…et il est donc logique de le retrouver dans un rôle de gestionnaire forestier. Un projet
d’aménagement d’une forêt de production de bois d’œuvre inadapté à la culture d’entreprise d’un exploitant
forestier aura de bonnes chances de ne pas aboutir, c’est l’un des premiers enseignements du projet
d’aménagement durable de la CFAD du Haut-Abanga.
Le deuxième enseignement vient des énormes progrès techniques constatés au cours de ces années
d’effort. C’est donc bien sur le terrain, en faisant face aux défis de l’aménagement durable que des chois,
des solutions, des itinéraires techniques nouveaux sont trouvés, non plus sur des surfaces réduites, mais
à l’échelle de centaines de milliers d’hectares de forêt tropicale humide.
Le troisième enseignement, c’est la capacité qu’ont les entreprises sous la contrainte à réagir, à
s’adapter, à se restructurer pour dégager plus de performances, pour assurer leur pérennité.
Le quatrième enseignement, qui découle du précédent, vient de ce que ce progrès n’est possible que
dans un pays stable avec une administration responsable, plus partenaire dans la voie du progrès que
seulement là pour dicter les règles et sanctionner.
Le cinquième enseignement, c’est que le processus est long, il ne peut se faire en un jour, il faut du
temps, des années pour amener un opérateur technique à devenir un technicien forestier performant.
Les sixième enseignement serait à rechercher dans les formidables progrès du dialogue entre les
partenaires de la gestion durable au Gabon ces dernières années: ONG, représentants des populations,
agents de l’administration, exploitants forestiers, chercheurs, se rencontrent, échangent des idées et
progressent ensemble dans l’intérêt de tous.
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Comme septième et dernier enseignement, on dira que l’engagement vers l’aménagement durable
n’est possible qu’avec des entreprises sérieuses, déterminées et appuyées techniquement, autant de
conditions qui sont loin d’être remplies encore de nos jours au Gabon et dans les autres pays du Bassin du
Congo.
ROUGIER GABON aura besoin, de même que les autres exploitants qui viendront le rejoindre, qui
sauteront le pas et feront eux aussi le choix de s’engager sur la voie exigeante de la gestion durable des
forêts dont ils ont la charge, de tous les soutiens disponibles, pour remplir avec succès le rôle de
gestionnaire des écosystèmes qu’il assume désormais.
16.0 REFERENCES
Enquête socio-économique, CFAD du Haut-Abanga, 2001, Rose ONDO.
Etude de cas d’aménagement forestier exemplaire en Afrique Centrale: la concession forestière sous aménagement
durable du Haut-Abanga, Gabon- FAO, 2002. par Nicolas Bayol.
Etude préparatoire du projet d’aménagement de la concession forestière du Haut-Abanga - Rapport d’étude, 1996,
Forêt Ressources Management.
Etude pour l’intégration des petites et moyennes entreprises forestières (PMEF) dans le processus d’aménagement
forestier, 2001, FORET RESSOURCES MANAGEMENT - SYNFOGA.
Loi N°16/01 portant code forestier en république gabonaise, 2001, Présidence de la République Gabonaise.
Plan d’Aménagement de la CFAD du Haut-Abanga, période 2001-2006, juillet 2001, FORET RESSOURCES
MANAGEMENT - ROUGIER GABON .
Réflexion sur la mise en place des techniques d’exploitation à faible impact sur la CFAD du Haut-Abanga. Evaluation
du réseau actuel de pistes de débardage et de débuscage, mise en place d’une méthodologie pour un tracé
optimisé des pistes préalablement à la mise en exploitation, 2001, Juliette TANCRE.
SAMARTEX TIMBER & PLYWOOD LTD.
GHANA’S FIRST COMPANY GOING FOR CERTIFICATION
UNE PREMIERE ENTREPRISE DU BOIS GHANEENNE RECHERCHE LA
LA PRIMERA EMPRESA MADERERA DE GHANA EN VÍAS DE CERTIFICACIÓN
A. Brede
Samartex Timber and Plywood Ltd.
SUMMARY
Samartex Timber & Plywood Company Ltd. is based in the town of Samreboi in the Western Region of Ghana at the
centre of the moist and wet evergreen forest. The company was created in 1995 as the result of Ghana’s government
programme of divestiture of state owned businesses. The previous owner of the business was the Africa Timber &
Plywood Company, which was established in 1947.
Samartex is producing sliced and rotary veneer, lumber, boules, moulding and plywood. The log input to the mill is
around 110,000 m3 per annum. The main species are Khaya ivorensis, Khaya anthotheca, Entandrophragma
cylindricum, Entandrophragma candollei, Milicia excelsa, Anigeria robusta, Triplochiton scleroxylon, Terminalia superba,
Heriteria utilise, Ceiba pentandra and around fifteen others.
For operational purposes the company runs a fleet of log skidders, dozers, log stackers, graders, compacter rollers,
payloaders tippers, logging trucks and highway trucks.
Samartex employs around 2,500 people, including around 430 in the Forestry Production Department. The
company has logging concessions in twelve Forest Reserves amounting to approximately 1,100 km2. In addition, there
are around 300 km2 of Off-Reserve concession.
Forest Reserves in Ghana have been demarcated and are strictly safeguarded for silvicultural use only. In other
words, they are protected from farming activities or any other activities, which would result in the destruction of the forest
canopy. Commercial timber extraction is allowed in these reserves, however under strictly controlled and monitored
conditions.
The Forest Reserves’ management is based upon a 40 years felling cycle. For operational purposes the Reserves
are subdivided into coupes and compartments. The compartments are grouped according to a harvesting schedule. The
principle of this schedule is to manage the Reserve on the mentioned forty-year rotation. Meaning, that once a
compartment has been logged, it will take a further forty years before any other commercial logging is permitted. This
forty-year period has been chosen as the optimum period to allow natural regeneration to occur after logging. Each
coupe lasts for five years, and the company is only allowed to apply for compartments within the active, i.e. Year 2002
– 2006, coupe.
Compartments are the smallest unit, and harvesting is carried out within the demarcated 800 m x 1600 m area,
which results in the standard size of 128 ha for a compartment. Once all compartments within the current coupe have
been harvested, the company has to wait until the next coupe gets “valid”. The demarcation of the compartment is done
by the company’s Forestry Department.
Trees that are due for harvesting will be determined by the Forestry Department as well. During a stock survey all
trees of commercial value with a diameter above 50 cm are physically recorded whilst a detailed map of the surveyed
compartment is produced. Each tree species has a minimum felling diameter, i.e. Mahogany 110 cm. Among all the
Mahogany above 110 cm only around 20% are to be harvested by the concessionaire. The rest of the trees is to be
retained for the next entry in 40 years. Felling therefore is very selective. During a harvesting operation not more then
three trees per ha are extracted from a compartment.
Within a Forest Reserve by far not all compartments are “productive compartments”. There are a variety of
protection measures which excludes compartments from any logging operation. The most important ones are hillside
sanctuary, provenance, swamps, shrines, riverside and the GSBAs (Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas). In some of
the Samartex Reserves more then 20% of the compartments are under one or another form of protection.
Ghana has been developing a National Certification Scheme for forestry since 1997. The set-up of the standards
was overseen by a National Committee and developed by a technical working group. The standards and checklist have
been extensively revised since their inception. They were field tested in March 2000, based upon the Samartex forest
operations. Unfortunately so far, the final standards have not been ratified by the Forestry Commission - a fact that still
creates some confusion with regard to FSC in Ghana.
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However, in 2003 Samartex took the lead and the company was certified by SGS for having an uninterrupted Chain
of Custody (CoC) as well legal compliance with all rules and regulations as stated in the Ghana Manual of Operations.
To all of our knowledge we are the first company in West Africa to receive this certificate.
Although CoC and legal compliance are already a good achievement, the company intends to go the full length
towards FSC certification. Currently WWF Forest and Trade Network (GFTN) is encouraging the development of
Producer Groups with the objective to promote improved forest management practices. Samartex has joined this group
as one of the first companies in Ghana. It will develop an Action Plan, which will lead to FSC certification by the end of
the year 2005.
Apart from practicing sustainable forestry within the reserves, Samartex runs an integrated Agroforestry
Programme in the Off-Reserve. In 1997, the community and the District Assembly together with the company initiated
the Oda-Kotoamso Community Agroforestry Project (OCAP). The project is developing alternatives to shifting cultivation
and tries to increase the agricultural production per unit area in order to reduce the pressure on the Forest Reserves.
Various activities are carried out to achieve these objectives. Especially the establishment of agroforestry systems, crop
rotation, introduction of improved varieties, plantation development, bee keeping, citrus cultivation and the utilisation of
non-timber forest products are practiced by the farmers. Food processing and a range of income-generating activities
are promoted in order to improve the livelihood of the rural population.
RESUME
Samartex Timber & Plywood Company Ltd est une entreprise basée dans la ville de Samreboi, dans la région
occidentale du Ghana, au centre de la forêt dense humide sempervirente. L’entreprise a été créée en 1995 dans le
cadre du programme du Gouvernement ghanéen de se défaire d’entreprises appartenant à l’Etat. L’entreprise était
précédemment administrée par Africa Timber & Plywood Company, dont l’établissement remontait à 1947.
Samartex produit des placage tranchés et déroulés, bois débités, plots, moulurés et contreplaqués. Le volume de
grumes entrant à l’usine se monte à environ 110.000 m3 par an. Les principales espèces sont Khaya ivorensis, Khaya
anthotheca, Entandrophragma cylindricum, Entandrophragma candollei, Milicia excelsa, Anigeria robusta, Triplochiton
scleroxylon, Terminalia superba, Heriteria utilis, Ceiba pentandra et environ quinze autres.
Pour les besoins de ses opérations, l’entreprise dispose d’un parc machines comprenant des débusqueuses,
bulldozers, machines à empiler les grumes, niveleuses, rouleaux-compresseurs, chargeurs à godet, camions grumiers
et camions routiers.
Samartex emploie quelque 2.500 personnes, parmi lesquelles environ 430 dans le département de production
forestière. L’entreprise possède des concessions d'exploitation dans douze réserves forestières s'étendant sur environ
1.100 km2 et, en outre, près de 300 km2 de concession hors réserves.
Les réserves forestières au Ghana ont été délimitées et sont strictement sauvegardées à des fins sylvicoles
seulement. En d'autres termes, elles sont protégées contre les activités agricoles ou toutes autres activités qui
entraîneraient la destruction du couvert forestier. Les prélèvements de bois à des fins commerciales dans ces réserves
sont autorisés, mais dans des conditions strictement contrôlées et surveillées.
La gestion des réserves forestières est basée sur une rotation de 40 ans. Pour les besoins opérationnels, les
réserves sont subdivisées en parterres de coupe et parcelles.
Les parcelles sont regroupées selon un programme de récolte. Le principe de ce programme consiste à gérer la
réserve selon la rotation de 40 ans mentionnée ci-dessus. Cela signifie que, dès qu’une parcelle a été parcourue en
coupe, il faudra attendre 40 ans avant toute autorisation de l’exploiter à des fins commerciales. Cette période de 40 ans
a été déterminée comme étant la période optimale pour permettre à la régénération naturelle de se produire après les
coupes. Chaque coupe dure cinq ans, et l’entreprise n’est autorisée à faire une demande d’exploitation que pour les
parcelles prévues pour la période, c.-à-d. la coupe de 2002 à 2006.
Les parcelles représentent la plus petite unité et les prélèvements sont effectués à l’intérieur d’un secteur de 800
m x 1600 m qui constitue la taille standard de 128 ha par parcelle. Lorsque toutes les parcelles d’une coupe ont fait
l’objet d’une récolte, l’entreprise doit attendre jusqu'à ce que la prochaine coupe soit "valide". La délimitation physique
des parcelles est du ressort du département des forêts.
Les arbres devant être récoltés sont aussi sélectionnés par le département des forêts. Lors de l’inventaire du stock,
tous les arbres de valeur marchande ayant un diamètre supérieur à 50 cm sont physiquement enregistrés et une carte
détaillée de la parcelle inventoriée est produite. Chaque essence a un diamètre minimal d'abattage, celui de l’acajou est
de 110 cm. Parmi tous les acajous de diamètre supérieur à 110 cm, le concessionnaire ne peut récolter qu’environ 20%
seulement. Les arbres restants doit être conservés pour la prochaine rotation dans 40 ans. Les abattages sont donc
très sélectifs. Au cours d’une récolte, pas plus de trois arbres par ha sont extraits d'une parcelle.
Dans une réserve forestière, les parcelles sont loin d’être toutes des "parcelles de production”. Toutes sortes de
mesures de protection excluent certaines parcelles de n'importe quelle opération d'exploitation forestière. Les plus
importantes portent sur les réserves naturelles en altitude, les lieux de provenance, les marais, les lieux sacrés, les rives
de fleuves et les ABIM (aires de biodiversité d’importance mondiale). Dans certaines des réserves de Samartex, plus
de 20% des parcelles bénéficient d’une forme ou une autre de protection.
Le Ghana a entrepris en 1997 l’élaboration d’un régime national de certification forestière. La mise au point des
normes a été surveillée par un Comité national et développée par un groupe de travail technique. Les normes et la liste
de contrôle ont été considérablement révisées depuis leur établissement. Elles ont été testées sur le terrain en mars
2000, par rapport aux opérations forestières de Samartex. Malheureusement, les normes définitives n'ont pas encore
été ratifiées par la Commission forestière, ce qui crée encore une certaine confusion en ce qui concerne le FSC au
Ghana.
Toutefois, en 2003, Samartex a été la première entreprise à se voir certifier par le SGS du fait qu’elle opère dans
le cadre d’une chaîne de responsabilité ininterrompue et qu’elle se conforme à toutes les règles et réglementations
définies dans le manuel d’exploitation du Ghana. Que nous sachions, l’entreprise est la première d’Afrique de l’Ouest
ayant reçu ce certificat.
Bien qu’une chaîne de responsabilité satisfaisante et le respect des règlements représentent déjà un résultat
positif, l’entreprise a l'intention d'aller jusqu’à la certification par le FSC. Actuellement, le réseau mondial du WWF sur
les forêts et le commerce (GFTN) encourage la formation de groupes de producteurs en vue de promouvoir de
meilleures pratiques de gestion forestière. Samartex a été l’une des premières entreprises du Ghana qui ont adhéré à
ce groupe. Elle développera un plan d'action qui conduira à la certification par le FSC vers la fin de l'année 2005.
Non seulement Samartex pratique-t-elle la foresterie durable dans les réserves, mais elle exécute également un
programme intégré d'agroforesterie hors-réserve. En 1997, la communauté et l'Assemblée du district, de concert avec
l’entreprise, ont lancé le projet d'agroforesterie communautaire d'Oda-Kotoamso (OCAP). Ce projet étudie des
alternatives à l'agriculture itinérante et s’efforce d'accroître la production agricole par unité de superficie afin de réduire
la pression qui pèse sur les réserves forestières. Diverses activités se déroulent en vue d’atteindre ces objectifs. En
particulier, les paysans mettent en pratique les systèmes d’agroforesterie et d’assolement, l’introduction de variétés
améliorées, le développement de plantations, l’apiculture, la culture des agrumes et l'utilisation des produits forestiers
non ligneux. La transformation de denrées alimentaires et toutes sortes d’activités produisant des revenus sont promues
en vue d'améliorer les conditions d’existence de la population rurale.
RESUMEN
Samartex Timber & Plywood Company Ltd. tiene su sede en la ciudad de Samreboi, situada al oeste de Ghana y en el
centro del bosque húmedo perennifolio. La empresa se creó en 1995 a partir del programa gubernamental de
liquidación y privatización de empresas estatales. El dueño anterior de la empresa era la Africa Timber & Plywood
Company, establecida en 1947.
Samartex produce chapas rebanadas y de desenrollo, madera aserrada, troncos recompuestos, molduras y
contrachapados. El consumo de madera en troza de la fábrica es de alrededor de 110.000 m3 por año. Las principales
especies utilizadas son: Khaya ivorensis, Khaya anthotheca, Entandrophragma cylindricum, Entandrophragma
candollei, Milicia excelsa, Anigeria robusta, Triplochiton scleroxylon, Terminalia superba, Heriteria utilise, Ceiba
pentandra y aproximadamente otras quince.
En sus operaciones, la empresa utiliza una flota de remolcadores de trozas, topadoras, apiladores de trozas,
clasificadoras, rodillos compactadores, volcadores de carga, camiones extractores y camiones de transporte.
Samartex emplea a alrededor de 2.500 personas, inclusive aproximadamente 430 en el departamento de
producción forestal. La empresa posee concesiones madereras en doce reservas forestales con una extensión de
aproximadamente 1.100 km2. Además, tiene alrededor de 300 km2 de concesiones fuera de las reservas.
Las reservas forestales de Ghana han sido demarcadas y están estrictamente protegidas para fines silvícolas
únicamente. En otras palabras, se las protege de la agricultura u otras actividades que podrían conducir a la
destrucción del vuelo forestal. La extracción de madera a escala comercial está permitida en estas reservas, pero bajo
condiciones de estricto control y supervisión.
El manejo de las reservas forestales se basa en un ciclo de corta de 40 años. Para la ejecución de las
operaciones, las reservas se subdividen en compartimientos y áreas de corta.
Los compartimientos se agrupan de acuerdo con un programa de extracción. El principio de este programa es
manejar la reserva en base al mencionado turno de rotación de 40 años. Esto significa que una vez que se ha
aprovechado un compartimiento, deberán pasar cuarenta años antes de que se permita otra extracción comercial. Se
ha fijado este turno de cuarenta años como el período óptimo para permitir la regeneración natural del bosque después
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de la tala. Cada área de corta tiene una duración de cinco años y la empresa sólo puede solicitar el permiso de
extracción en los compartimientos previstos para ese período, p.ej. dentro del área de corta del período 2002 – 2006.
Los compartimientos constituyen la unidad más pequeña y la extracción se lleva a cabo dentro del área
demarcada de 800 m x 1600 m, lo cual significa que el tamaño estándar de un compartimiento es de 128 ha. Una vez
que se han explotado todos los compartimientos del área activa, la empresa debe esperar hasta que se “habilite” la
siguiente área. La delimitación física de los compartimientos es responsabilidad del Departamento Forestal.
El Departamento Forestal determina también los árboles que deben extraerse. Durante un inventario de
existencias, se registran físicamente todos los árboles de valor comercial con un diámetro superior a los 50 cm y se
produce un mapa detallado del compartimiento inventariado. Cada especie tiene fijado un diámetro mínimo de corta;
por ejemplo, para la caoba es de 110 cm. Sólo el 20% del total de árboles de caoba con diámetros superiores a los 110
cm pueden ser extraídos por el concesionario. Los árboles restantes deben retenerse para la próxima explotación
dentro de cuarenta años. Por lo tanto, la tala es muy selectiva. Durante una operación normal de aprovechamiento, no
se extraen más de tres árboles por hectárea de cada compartimiento.
No todos los compartimientos de una reserva forestal son “compartimientos productivos”. Existen diversas medidas de
protección que prohíben las operaciones de extracción en algunos compartimientos. Las más importantes se relacionan
con: santuarios de montaña, procedencias, humedales, lugares santos, riberas de ríos y las ABIM (áreas de
biodiversidad de importancia mundial). En algunas de las reservas de Samartex, más del 20% de los compartimientos
se encuentran bajo alguna forma de protección.
A partir de 1997, Ghana inició la formulación de un sistema nacional de certificación para la actividad forestal. Un
comité nacional supervisó el establecimiento de las normas formuladas por un grupo de trabajo técnico. Estas normas
y la lista de verificación fueron corregidas exhaustivamente desde su formulación. En marzo de 2000, se las puso a
prueba con las operaciones forestales de Samartex. Lamentablemente, hasta ahora la Comisión Forestal no ha
ratificado las normas de certificación definitivas, un hecho que aún crea cierta confusión con respecto al FSC en Ghana.
Sin embargo, en 2003, Samartex tomó la iniciativa y obtuvo la certificación de SGS por contar con una cadena de
custodia (CdC) ininterrumpida y por el cumplimiento legal de todas las normas y reglamentos estipulados en el Manual
de Operaciones Forestales de Ghana. A nuestro entender, somos la primera empresa de África Occidental que recibe
este certificado.
Si bien la CdC y el cumplimiento legal de normas son dos logros importantes, la empresa se ha fijado la meta de
continuar todo el proceso de certificación del FSC. Actualmente, la Red de Bosques y Comercio (GFTN) del WWF está
alentado la formación de grupos de productores con el fin de fomentar mejores prácticas de manejo forestal. Samartex
ha sido una de las primeras empresas de Ghana que se ha unido a este grupo. Su propósito es elaborar un plan de
acción, que permitirá la certificación del FSC para fines del año 2005.
Además de practicar la silvicultura sostenible dentro de las reservas, Samartex administra un programa
agroforestal fuera de las zonas reservadas. En 1997, la comunidad y la Asamblea de Distrito iniciaron, conjuntamente
con la empresa, el Proyecto Agroforestal Comunitario de Oda-Kotoamso (OCAP). En este proyecto, se conciben
alternativas para reemplazar los cultivos migratorios y se trata de aumentar la producción agrícola por unidad de
superficie a fin de reducir la presión ejercida sobre las reservas forestales. Para lograr estos objetivos, se llevan a cabo
diversas actividades. En especial, los campesinos se dedican al establecimiento de sistemas agroforestales, la rotación
de cultivos, la introducción de variedades mejoradas, el desarrollo de plantaciones, la apicultura, el cultivo de cítricos y
la utilización de productos forestales no maderables. Se fomentan además el procesado de alimentos y una diversidad
de actividades remuneradoras con el fin de mejorar los medios de sustento de la población rural.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Samartex Timber and Plywood Ltd. was set up in 1995 under the Ghanaian Government Programme of
Divestiture (or privatisation) of state owned businesses in order to promote their rehabilitation and economic
growth. The company had been previously known as African Timber and Plywood Co. Ltd, which was
existing since 1947. Samartex therefore took over a long established factory site in the Western Region of
Ghana, which had promising existing assets.
However, years of poor management and a disastrous fire had left wood processing facilities in chaos.
In short, the whole company and its fixtures were lying in ruins. Samartex’ management implemented a
massive programme of investment and rehabilitation, which continues up to this day. Undoubtedly, the major
assets available to the company were the substantial resource in the form of timber concessions.
The forest-resource has nowadays to be managed in a sustainable way to ensure the future survival of
the company and its 2,500 employees, as well as to safeguard future timber production within a healthy
forest environment.
The sustainable use of this forest resource is an immense challenge for those experts involved, both
within the company and those in Ghana’s Forest Services Division (FSD)6 who have the responsibility for
monitoring and controlling the Nation’s forest resources. Samartex has had to constantly respond and react
to changes in forest policy on a national and international level.
The Ghanaian timber industry produces approximately 700,000 m3 of processed wood products
annually. In 2001, Ghana counted 32 veneer mills, 14 plywood-manufacturing mills, and over 200 sawmills.
As the resource is declining and operational costs have soured over the last years, there is a clear down
trend in conventional timber business in the country.
At this point in time, Ghana’s forests are more tightly regulated than at any other point in history. The
increasing awareness of sustainability by the industry’s customers (as well as the public in general) means,
that the tropical timber industry has to be responsible, productive and efficient, simply to survive. All forest
operations are carried out under strict monitoring of the governmental FSD. Compared to neighbouring West
African countries, the management systems applied in the Ghanaian Forest Reserves are quite sustainable.
Especially if one looks at a satellite image which compares the Reserves with the Off-Reserve Areas.
In the latter, a lack of sustainable management can easily been seen, whilst from here a lot of pressure is
exerted upon the Forest Reserve, notably through shifting cultivation by resource poor farmers.
2.0 COMPANY BACKGOUND
Samartex is producing sliced and rotary veneer, sawn lumber, boules and moulding products such as
“tongue & groove”. Recent new projects include a carving section which transforms waste products, i.e. offcuts and buttresses, into all kind of ornamental and household utensils for local as well as export markets.
Another new project is related to the Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) Thaumatococcus daniellii
which is processed into a sweetener and flavour enhancer (Thaumatin), a commodity in high demand by the
international market.
As Samreboi is not connected to the national grid, Samartex relies on its own steam turbines for energy
generation. Burning of timber waste products, such as off-cuts and sawdust, generates the heat. However,
the power is not only for the company but also for the town of Samreboi with its 12,000 inhabitants. The
company has also committed so far an amount of US$ 3.5 million to social development in the area. Thus
making Samartex the most important contributor to the socio-economic well being of the population within
the Wassa-Amenfi and Aowin-Suamang District of the Western Region.
Samartex is undertaking a major road improvement programme to upgrade nearly every main road in
the Samreboi area, connecting all its operational Forest Reserves, all areas worked in Off-Reserve, and all
the major towns and villages in the District. Although this road maintenance is essential for the company in
order to successfully bring logs from the forest to its central location, and to deliver processed products to
the port of Takoradi, which is 200 km away, the upgraded roads are open to anyone and are very heavily
utilised by the general public and other businesses.
6 Ghana’s Forestry Department under the Forestry Commission
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Samartex is not compensated or financially reimbursed for any of its road works. As the governmental
support within the rural area is quite limited, the condition of the roads, without the support of Samartex,
would be a serious handicap for the development of the area, especially for the cocoa industry.
The company also provides education facilities, a hospital for all workers and their relatives, potable
water to the town (3,5 Million litre per year), as well as numerous donations to local communities. The total
stumpage7 payment in the year 2003 was 1,14 Million US$ and the concession rent8 amounted to around
25,000 US$.
3.0 TIMBER HARVESTING AND PROCESSING
The log input to the Samartex mill is around 110,000 m3 per annum. The company has logging concessions
in twelve Forest Reserves amounting to approximately 1,100 km2. Samreboi is somewhat in the centre of
the concessions, which are in a circumference of around 75 km around the town. In addition, there are
approximately 300 km2 of Off-Reserve concession. All those concessions are natural forests (or Off-Reserve
farming areas) within the wet and moist evergreen forest zone of the Western Region. The only matured
plantations are 8 compartments of Cedrella odorata, set up by the Forestry Department in 1975.
In order to deliver the required timber at the requested time to the factory, the company runs 5
extraction operations in five different areas at a time. Usually four operations are carried out in various
Forest Reserves and one operation is working in the Off-Reserve with the main purpose of harvesting
“Ceiba” for the plymill9.
One operation is seen as one unit, comprising of staff and machinery. Each unit, which usually
comprises 45 people, is headed by a Bush Manager, who via radio keeps close contact to the headquarter
in Samreboi. One extraction operation is usually supported with two D7 caterpillars and one 528 skidder for
hauling. For loading of the logs, 980 C log stackers are used. The logging trucks, mechanical and logistical
support is coordinated from Samreboi.
Table 1. Main timber species harvested by Samartex
BOTANICAL NAME
Khaya ivorensis
Khaya anthotheca
Entandrophragma cylindricum
Entandrophragma candollei
Milicia excelsa
Tieghemella heckelii
Anigeria robusta
Triplochiton scleroxylon
Terminalia superba
Heriteria utilis
Antiaris africana
Pycnanthus angolensis
Ceiba pentandra
COMMON NAME
Mahogany
White Mahogany
Sapele
Candollei
Odum/Iroko
Makore
Asanfina/Anigre’
Wawa
Ofram
Niankum
Chenchen
Otie
Ceiba
MAIN USE
Sawmill, Veneer
Sawmill, Veneer
Sawmill, Veneer
Sawmill
Sawmill
Sawmill, Veneer
Veneer
Sawmill
Sawmill, Veneer
Sawmill
Plywood, Veneer
Plywood
Plywood
Samartex is having four main Production Departments:
a)
b)
7 Stumpage
The Sawmill, with a log input of around 5,500 m3 per month and a sawn timber production of
around 2,400 m3. Here around 350 people are working.
The Veneer Mill, with an average log input of 1,500 m2 and an output of around 900,000 m2 per
month. The staff strength is around 150. Here, a special product of the company is curl veneer,
which is produced from the main crotch of redwoods. This part of the tree was in the past never
considered to be of any value. However, these days a good quality curl might fetch more money
than the whole tree on what it was attached. The monthly production of curls is around 20,000 m2.
is a levy paid to the Government which is based upon volume of a particular species of timber.
concession rent is based upon the number of ha of concession area.
9 Ceiba is also abundant in the Forest Reserves, however trees grown in the open farm areas tend to have better physical
and optical properties, therefore making them more suitable for high quality plywood.
8 The
c)
d)
The Plymill with a log input of around 3,500 m3 and output of 1,150 m3. A total of 450 people are
employed.
The Moulding Mill with a monthly output of around 2,500 m2 of tongue & groove. Around 70 people
are employed. Another product are boards for horse boxes and anti-slip boards; monthly
production here is around 100 m2.
The main markets for these timber products are Europe, Middle East and North America.
Recent diversification activities of Samartex comprise of two interesting Pilot-Projects:
In the year 2001 a Carving Section was set up. In here, around 40 skilled carvers are producing artefacts
such as animals, sculptures, vases, plates or carved chairs from wood residues. No tree is being felled to
supply this section. In the future it is planned to train people in neighbouring villages to pre-manufacture
wooden artefacts, which they could sell to the company where the finishing touches can then be applied.
In 2002, a pilot-project concerning the NTFP Thaumatococcus daniellii has been initiated. The protein
Thaumatin is extracted from the fruits of this herbaceous plant, which is growing wild in the rainforest zone
of Ghana. Thaumatin, which is around 3,000 times sweeter than sugar has zero calories, and is a valuable
flavour enhancer. Processing is done in a laboratory, which has been set up according to European food
standards, and employs currently around 30 persons.
4.0 FOREST MANAGEMENT
The planning of the forest operations is based upon the 40-year felling cycle, which is binding to every
concessionaire working in a Forest Reserve in Ghana. In order to supply the required amount of timber to
the factory of Samartex, one of the main tasks of the Forestry Section is to set up and to implement a five
years plan of operation, taking into account 12 different Forest Reserves and various Off-Reserve areas.
Almost the whole of Samartex concessions takes the form of what is known as ‘Forest Reserves’.
These are areas of forest, which have been demarcated and set aside to be safeguarded for silvicultural
use only. In other words, they are protected from farming activities or any other activities, which would result
in the destruction of the forest canopy. Commercial timber extraction is allowed in these Reserves, but under
strictly controlled and monitored conditions. Some Reserves are completely protected from all commercial
activity and within almost every Reserve there are areas that are completely protected from logging
activities. This protection refers to protect rivers, extreme slopes etc. Large areas of many Reserves have
also recently been designated as ‘Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas’(GSBA’s) and set aside from all
future logging activities in order to maintain the complex interdependent number of species, both of plants
and animals.
As mentioned before, the Forest Reserves’ management is based upon a 40 years felling cycle. For
operational purposes the Reserves are subdivided into coupes and compartments.
The compartments are grouped according to a harvesting schedule. The principle of this schedule is to
manage the Reserve on the mentioned forty-year rotation. Meaning, that once a compartment has been
logged, it will take a further forty years before any other commercial logging is permitted. This forty-year
period has been chosen as the optimum period to allow natural regeneration to occur after logging. Each
coupe lasts for five years, and the company is only allowed to apply for compartments within the active, i.e.
Year 2002 – 2006, coupe.
Compartments are the smallest unit, and harvesting is carried out within the demarcated 800 m x 1600
m area, which results in the standard size of 128 ha for a compartment. Once all compartments within the
current coupe have been harvested, the company has to wait until the next coupe gets “valid”. The boundary
demarcation of the compartment (strip line cutting) is done by FSD.
The company cannot simply log the compartments on an ad-hoc basis. Apart from the harvesting
schedule, there are further more detailed controls on the logging activity at the compartment level. It is a
commonly held miss-perception that tropical logging is clear-cut felling where vast areas are deforested. In
fact, Ghana’s logging standards are some of the strictest in the world. The number of trees removed per
hectare is extremely small, indeed, by European or North American forestry standards, it is tiny. Every tree
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that the company can take is individually selected, and the logging operations themselves are strictly
controlled and monitored by FSD.
With regard to the operational plan of the company it is very important to know the current active
coupes in the various Forest Reserves. Although Samartex has 1,100 km2 of Forest Reserves, there can
never be more then two active coupes in one Reserve, which give at maximum 25 % active operational
areas. Further, it has to be considered that within a coupe only individual compartments can be worked at
one time. As a matter of fact, careful planning is crucial for the whole operation.
Another factor, which makes planning even more important, is the coordination of five different
operations at a time. Five different operations mean five different forests with a different species
composition. Moreover, there are different topographical challenges to be faced, especially with regard to
road construction. Even within one coupe, compartments have to be worked in a sequence taking season
(wet & dry), topography and market demand into consideration. Therefore a five-year plan has to be very
flexible in order to react immediately to changes in the market (for example a slump in Anigre’ price),
unusual weather conditions, and other unexpected events.
4.1 Stock Survey
Before any logging activity can commence, a stock survey team from Forest Services Division (FSD)
surveys the entire compartment. Every commercial timber tree larger than 50 cm diameter is recorded, as
well as the physical features and topography within the compartment. This survey also demarcates the
compartment boundaries by slashing a clear line through the forest to delineate the extent of the
compartment. Every thirty meter there will be a strip line on which all trees 15 m to right and left will be
recorded into a field book. A normal sized compartment will therefore have 52 strip lines. It is a vast
undertaking, usually taking a team of eleven people up to four weeks. Each tree has a number scribed onto
the bark to ensure that only the designated trees are then finally felled. It is not unknown for the team that
over four thousand individual trees have to be recorded, measured and marked during the survey!
After the survey has taken place, the results are mapped on scale in order to produce a highly detailed
map showing the position and size of all the timber trees. From this map the FSD District Forest Manager
then calculates the total number of trees the company can take. These decisions are made through a ‘yield
allocation formula’ that ensures that only a relatively small number of each specie is allocated for logging.
The formula is specific to the type of forest, i.e. moist or wet evergreen. The tree, which is being earmarked
for logging, also must have reached and exceeded a certain felling limit (i.e. the specific diameter) to ensure
that immature trees are not logged. Mahogany for instance, as the best-known tropical timber, must have
reached a diameter of 110 cm. Of all the Mahogany trees in the compartment above this size, only 20% will
be allocated to the company for logging. The selection process also takes into account proximity to rivers
and slopes to ensure that trees are not felled which would then have an adverse impact on the forest
environment.
Once the District has finished its yield selection, the compartment’s documents must then be forwarded
to the Regional Forestry Office for vetting. From there it will be sent to the Resource Management Support
Centre, which is once more scrutinizing, especially the restricted species10 such as Mahogany, Odum,
Sapele, etc. When this is being done, the documents go via the Region back to the District authorities who
will then officially release it to Samartex for commencement of operations.
Once the compartment is released for operations, a yield list and map is being provided by FSD to
Samartex indicating in detail which tree is to be extracted. With this very selective felling system it is assured
that not more then three trees per ha are taken by any timber contractor.
4.2 Road Construction
Before any logging takes place the company has to access the compartment with roads. To lessen the
environmental impact as well as to reduce costs, the company carries out its own topographic survey to plan
the trucking roads and the major hauling routes. The results of this survey are fed into GIS software
(Geographic Information System) to enable the Roads and Transport Section to plan for roads. While
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Species in high demand but low availability, mainly due to overexploitation
implementing the GIS-based map in the field, i.e. commencing road construction, the company also has to
adhere FSD standards regarding lengths and maximum carriage widths as well as the size and number of
log landings.
The environmental standard of the company’s forest production operations also adheres to strict
regulations. Steep slopes, riparian areas (i.e. near watercourses) etc., are all designated as areas where no
logging can take place. Once a compartment has been logged, the compartment is officially certified
“closed” by the Forest Services District Manager, who is going for inspection. He or she must verify that
environmental standards have been adhered to, and that enrichment planting has been done on branch
roads, skidding trials and on sidings. This so-called “Concession Planting” is a key part of the company’s
operations. For this purpose, the company maintains two tree nurseries. On average, the company plants
316 trees (more than usually are harvested) per compartment to supplement the extremely fast natural
regeneration that takes place after logging.
4.3 Logging
In actual fact, all harvesting operations and all activities, which lead to the process of harvesting i.e. stock
survey, are regulated by the Manual of Operations (MOP). Within a MOP, it is clearly stipulated which forest
type will receive what kind of management.
Once the compartment has been released from the District and the roads are in place the actual logging
operation will commence. One Production Unit (a so-called ‘Mobile’) will then move with its machines into
the compartment and start felling the trees selected for extraction by FSD. As each tree has a number
scribed in its bark it can easily be traced back to its position on the strip line by the felling team. As
mentioned earlier all operations are supervised by FSD representatives to ensure that all felling conforms
only to the approved yield. Usually there are three Technical Officers from FSD at one operation: The
Checker who moves with the felling team ensuring that the correct trees are felled; The TIF11 Officer who
immediately after felling takes measurement of the tree so that FSD can calculate the appropriate
stumpage, and the Conveyance Officer who issues the LMCC12, which legalises the evacuation of the log
from the forest. Without an LMCC no log must be moved in Ghana. For the internal recording of logs (“Chain
of Custody”) every contractor is to issue an LIF13, which helps in tracking logs, and to ensure that no log
remains in the forest after harvesting.
During the operation fellers are advised to whenever possible fell trees within gaps of already extracted
trees in order to minimise damage and also ease hauling. Prior to the actual hauling from the main road,
usually leading through the middle of the compartment, a main skidding road is determined which ensures
that the logs can be most efficiently hauled to the log landing. Within one compartment there are maximum
4 log landings. Usually a D7 dozer will create the way for the skidder and also position the log in a way that
it can be easily picked up by the skidder. An experienced production crew will be able to have the felling
ahead (normally two days), so that the cross-cutting team can follow on the next day giving each particular
species its required length, as requested by the factory. Once the dozer has then positioned the log the
skidder can come, collect it and dump it at the log landing. From there the logs will be loaded by log stackers
onto logging trucks and conveyed to the factory.
Once a compartment has been released for harvesting, it can be entered for a maximum period of two
years. Within this time 100% of the trees indicated for harvesting have to be extracted. At the end of the two
years period the contractor has to rip the log landings and replant them with tree species commonly found
in the compartment. Samartex usually plants around 650 seedlings per compartment. Moreover, all
waterways have to be cleared of debris blocking a free flow. Any items remaining from the operation (old
cable, drums etc.) have of course to be removed. If this has been done, the District Manager will issue a
‘Closure Certificate’ after inspection of the compartment. Once a compartment has officially been closed
there will be no extraction for the next 40 years.
A company like Samartex, which is a large-scale operator, must not have more then five open
compartments in one Forest Reserve. If there are more then five, FSD will not release a new one for
operation.
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12
13
Timber Information Form i.e. length, diameter, volume
Log Measurement and Conveyance Certificate
Log Information Form
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5.0 DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL ISSUES
Against the background of the alarming rate of deforestation taking place in the Off-Reserve area, Samartex
initiated an Agroforestry Project, called the Oda-Kotoamso Community Agroforestry Project (OCAP), in
collaboration with the people of Oda-Kotoamso. The project is being implemented within the vicinity of the
Samartex forest concessions and located in the Wassa-Amenfi District of Western Region, 10 km north of
the District capital Asankrangwa.
The objectives of OCAP are:
• Develop together with the rural communities alternatives to shifting cultivation in order to
reduce the pressure on the remaining forest resource through Agroforestry
• Promote sustainable natural resources management within a forest environment
• Facilitate forest and biodiversity conservation
• Generate activities for alternative sources of income for farmers
• Diversify the Agroforestry produce, increase farm output, and develop new products through
agro-processing
• Create market access for farmers and assist in marketing from District to Regional and
International level.
OCAP works in collaboration with various stakeholders, such as the Chiefs (traditional land owners),
the Community authorities, and individual farmers. The District Assembly, the Forest Services Division
(FSD) and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) have representatives in the OCAP steering
committee. The German Development Service (DED) and Samartex are rendering technical and financial
support.
The Agroforestry concept as promoted by OCAP involves capacity building of the rural community with
regard to ecologically sound and economically viable farming practices. While avoiding slash & burn
practice, the project actively contributes to sustain the existing forests. Much emphasis is paid on the
sustainable use of NTFPs as an important commodity to improve the livelihood of the forest fringe
communities.
5.1 Project Rational
Samartex as a wood processing company recognizes the need to have a long-term plan for continuous
supply of timber in order to maintain its business. The Off-Reserve forest provides half the Nation’s timber
products but are heavily degraded and designated for agricultural purposes. Unfortunately, there is no
sustainable management plan for forests in the Off-Reserve areas. This makes the area more susceptible
to degradation as farmers have the right to cut and burn the trees when establishing their farms.
The problem for the timber industry is therefore, that once all the forest resources in the Off-Reserves
are gone, farmers will sooner or later be forced to enter the Forest Reserves in the quest for new agricultural
land. Of course, these activities are illegal. However, supervision or monitoring is very difficult. There is an
urgent need to undertake steps to alleviate this problem in future.
The agricultural productivity in the Western Region of Ghana is widely based on traditional farming
practices, which imply slash & burn as well as shifting cultivation. Low productivity of the soil, combined with
a steady population increase, leads to shorter fallow periods. As a result, the soil fertility is no longer able
to regenerate naturally. In addition, the peasant farmers in the rural areas of Ghana are poor and fertilizer
inputs are very expensive.
The improvement of the living standard of the farmer within the operational areas of Samartex is of
paramount importance in order to provide a sustainable development for both, the peasant communities and
Samartex.
5.2 Project Components
All OCAP farmers are encouraged to implement a wide range of project components. The following are
being offered within the project and given technical support:
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Agroforestry
Timber Plantations (indigenous & exotic species)
Citrus and Passion fruit
Tree nurseries
Beekeeping
Snail rearing
Fish farming
Black pepper
Vegetables
Non Timber Forest Products, such as Thaumatococcus daniellii, Griffonia simplicifolia and other
essential oils
♦ Gari (Cassava) processing
5.3 Agroforestry
The Agroforestry component is considered the most important in the project, because of its multidisciplinary
nature, which encompasses most of the above listed components. An Agroforestry system supplies the
farmer with food crops, cash crops as well as timber in the long run from the same piece of land. Over 350
households are currently involved in plantation development through Agroforestry and planting both exotic
and indigenous species.
Demonstration farms form an important aspect of the project. Since farmers have seen that although
trees are planted more dense on some plots, decent food crops yield can be obtained. Simultaneously,
degraded lands can be planted with economic important species.
5.4 Project Activities
In order to achieve the above stated objectives, the project comprises the following activities:
• Collaborating closely with traditional landowners and mediating with farmers while aiming to
produce written agreements stating in detail the individual ownership rights of farmers. Thus,
promoting their interest in planting and tending timber trees.
• Organizing community meetings in which participants are educated about their rights with
regard to planted and standing trees.
• Promoting in a participatory way ecologically viable farming systems that can act as alternative
to shifting cultivation and increase production per unit area.
• Building capacity of farmers and opinion leaders through training in e.g. PRA / PLA, improved
farm management, and communication strategies.
• Introducing income-generating activities through the creation of markets for Non Timber Forest
Products and the development of food processing facilities.
• Strengthening the linkage to other institutions such as Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA),
Forest Services Division (FSD), Universities and NGOs.
5.6 The Thaumatin Project
Thaumatin is a protein, which is found in the arillus of the seeds of the Katemfe Plant Thaumatococcus
daniellii. It is a natural low-calorie sweetener, approximately 3,000 sweeter that sucrose, and a flavour
enhancer with a wide range of applications. It is an internationally authorized food additive and thus, a
valuable and highly demanded commodity.
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As the plant is an important NTFP, which grows naturally in the humid rain forest zone of West Africa,
it is also abundant in the Samartex concessions. Moreover, it is shade tolerant and easy to be propagated,
which makes it an ideal plant to be incorporated into smallholder timber plantations and Agroforestry
systems. Since it is also ecologically and financially attractive to the fringe community, which has the right
to collect NTFPs in the Forest Reserve, Samartex decided to contract a research agency to develop a
method to extract the protein Thaumatin.
As of today, a laboratory has been set up in Samreboi for the processing of the fruits and nearly all
communities in the vicinity of the main Forest Reserves have been sensitised on the sustainable harvesting
of this valuable NTFP. Nearly 100,000 seedlings have been produced in the tree nurseries, which in this
rainy season will be planted in both, private individual plantations, as well as under the Samartex Cedrella
plantation.
Currently 35 women are employed by the project for the daily preparation work of the fruits (cutting off
the arillus from the seed), which are being delivered by individual farmers.
The project is still in a pilot phase, however unique in West Africa. It could be an excellent example of
how a concessionaire and the local community - through some external assistance and research - can
develop the value of a Forest Reserve.
6.0 CONSTRAINTS, CONCLUSIONS AND OUTLOOK
The forest management systems of Ghana applied in the forest reserves are certainly the leading ones in
West Africa in terms of sustainability. From the Samartex operation’s point of view one can see, that some
of the most productive redwood reserves are those, which have been entered already for the third time since
the predecessor company was created in 1947. This clearly speaks for a good management plan, which
ensures that only a small number of trees per hectar are selectively felled and the remaining ones supply
the raw material for the next entry.
A constraint to certification is that however well someone manages its resource, i.e. the Forest
Reserve, he cannot achieve its long-term goal if the pressure from outside the forest is getting too high.
Unless a better resource management plan for the Off-Reserve area of Ghana is developed, poor migrant
farmers will still be forced to enter Forest Reserves in their quest for new agricultural land. Therefore
Samartex considers its agroforestry approach in the Off-Reserves equally important to the move towards
FSC Certification.
Forest Reserves in Ghana are held in trust for the people by the Government. As the political situation
in the country is quite stable, security of tenure is given, which is very important when it comes to long term
planning. Only when a concessionaire is sure, that the concession will not be taken away, he can achieve
its management objectives.
The Forest & Wildlife Policy of Ghana, formulated in 1994 shows a high level of commitment to manage
the resource in a way to ensure sustained benefit, both financially and socially, from the gazetted reserves.
Through the active contribution of local organisations (esp. FORIG14) and International Institutions, i.e. the
University of Wales, several practical research studies have been carried out and are now being
implemented in the field.
In this respect also the company’s efforts to achieve FSC Certification has to be seen. So far Samartex
is the only company in the country with an intact Chain of Custody (CoC), showing transparency of logging
from the tree in the forest to the end customer abroad. Also the legal compliance with the rules and
regulations as stated in the ‘Manual of Operation’, based upon the ITTO Standards, has been independently
certified by SGS in the year 2003.
Samartex will further promote SFM by having a baseline survey carried out in May 2004 by an
international accredited auditing company. The audit will come up with an action plan, which eventually will
lead the company to full FSC Standard. An independent auditor will regularly monitor the progress towards
this goal. Provided that adequate progress is made, the timber from the forest can be marketed as
“transition timber” in business-to business communication.
Areas where there is still room for improvement are maintenance of machines (esp. leakages of fuel
and lubricants), more efficient skidding and workers’ health and safety. Although Ghana has not yet officially
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Forestry Research Centre of Ghana
endorsed its certification standard, the company feels it cannot wait longer and therefore takes further steps
towards certification.
However, as certification is also a market driven tool for better forest management, one would whish
that also the market would express more clearly its willingness to pay a premium for timber from a wellmanaged resource. Still it is quite risky to implement an action plan without the definite assurance that the
customer will later on accept a slight increase in price.
Once Samartex commences the action plan, it will be the first company in Ghana joining the Producer
Group, which is a Forest and Trade Network (FTN) that promotes improved forest management. As a
member of the Producer Group, Samartex will be part of the Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN) and
will benefit from the joint international efforts to protect and manage appropriately the world’s forests.
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SUMMARY BY SESSION CHAIRMAN, M. ESANO
There can be no sustainable development without addressing the issue of poverty alleviation as it relates to
the management of the African tropical forests. It is clear that sustainable forest management and its
implementation is facing difficulties in the African region where factors of high biodiversity, itinerant
agriculture, political instability and civil war in many countries and lack of local financial resources have to
be considered. Almost half of the Congo Basin Forest is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which
has for the past two decades been involved in a civil war. Consequently in all such forests, the principles
relating to sustainable forest management cannot be said to be easily applicable.
The private sector engaged in the utilisation and management of most of the African tropical forests is
represented principally by trans-national, national and local (community) owners. The trans-national
members of both the Inter-African Forest Industries Association (IFIA), and the International Technical
Tropical Timber Association (ATIBT) are mainly large-scale concessionaires, holding over 50 percent of the
20 million ha of production forests, particularly in the Central-African sub-region. As a group they are
committed to SFM principles, and in some concessions, management plans are implemented in lieu of
seeking future certification. The national owners generally manage small to medium size forest concessions
with most of them operating with insufficient financial resources and possess low-level know-how for
managing the forest along sustainable principles. Local communities, with rights of ownership to community
forests, are generally incapable of sustainable management without some form of external assistance.
Given the great variability in management capacity and experience in the private sector a widening gap
is inevitable between the well-endowed trans-national owners and the local groups in their capability to
achieve SFM. Consequently, in order to avoid divergent systems of SFM evolving in the region, each at its
own pace of development, solutions must be found to reduce the present implementation gap in the private
sector between the trans-nationals and the national-community owners.
The private sector is fast changing its mentality from being mere loggers to sustainable forest
managers. Such drastic change was principally due to several enabling factors which among others include:
• Training programmes for staff members at all levels, from management to the field.
• Creating implementation structures within the company for effective execution of management
plans.
• Implementing new harvesting techniques.
• Establishing permanent dialogue mechanisms with all stakeholders, particularly with local civil
community.
• Collaborating closely with the forestry administration in order to improve on and arriving at a
common understanding on forestry issues.
The pursuit of SFM is undoubtedly a very complex process, requiring long-term vision and planning.
And capacity building remains one of the major constraints in the pursuit of specific actions to be taken in
some companies. The cost of achieving SFM is prohibitively high especially for local owners and this can
be attributed to the following factors:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Complexity of the African tropical forest itself.
Lack of infrastructure for road transportation.
Inadequate financial resources in the region to implement a rational and practical SFM.
Difficulties faced by countries in procuring loans from international financial institutions, leading
to forests being used in debt servicing.
Necessity to conduct expensive socio-economic and environmental studies.
Obligation to fulfil compliance to provide social infrastructures for local communities.
Permanent pressures applied to and negative images imposed on the African private sector by
certain international NGO’s in their public opinion campaigns in Europe.
Difficulty of the forestry administration to monitor objectively, the implementation of
management plans in forest management units (FMUs), by using C&I especially for the
purposes of evaluating the progress achieved.
In the light of the issues outlined above, funds allocation should first prioritise SFM implementation. A
certain level of good management standards need to be achieved before following up with the certification
proper. The certification process in the region, which should eventually lead to SFM, must thus be seen as
a long-term process, to be implemented step by step, in order to be adequately internalised by local
stakeholders. With this reality on the ground the unbalanced negative press campaign conducted by the
international NGOs should be reduced. Such pressures imposed on the African private sector can only
produce adverse results which may delay the attainment of SFM. Furthermore, it is quite unnecessary given
the fact that the export market itself cannot assure any price premium to self sustain costly certification.
Given the realities of the private sector in the African region towards achieving SFM, as lengthily
deliberated in this session, the following recommendations can be made:
1. In recognition of the primary role played by the private sector in SFM, the African Timber
Organisation (ATO), the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) and the donor
community should assist by (i) funding projects related to capacity building, (ii) strengthening
collaboration linkages with local communities and civil society and (iii) promoting information
gathering in relation to market access.
2. A constructive dialogue between the private sector and the forestry administration should be
reinforced to enable the creation of incentives that would promote new initiatives.
3. Local forest managers without the ability to attract capital to implement SFM on the ground,
should be supported by the forestry administration, and the donor community in order to
internalise the SFM process in the long term.
4. A portion of government forest taxes should be allocated to promote SFM initiatives such as the
implementation of management plan and demarcation of FMU boundaries.
5. Collaborative mechanism between the private sector and the local civil society should be
facilitated and supported by the international donor community through the promotion of
common initiatives related to SFM implementation.
6. A study should be conducted in order to assist and facilitate the process of achieving SFM for
small to medium size companies in the region.
7. The certification of forest management in Africa should be implemented through a stepwise
approach, based on the ATO/ITTO C&I on the sustainable management of African tropical
forests and in the training of relevant stakeholders in forest management auditing processes.
8. ITTO, in collaboration with the private sector should establish a permanent framework to enable
the coordination and liaison of SFM experiences among producer countries and establish
accordingly a permanent link between the tropical regions of Latin America, Asia-Pacific and
Africa.
SOMMAIRE DU PRÉSIDENT DE LA SÉANCE PAR M. ESANO
Il ne peut y avoir développement durable si la question d’allégement de la pauvreté, dans le contexte de la
gestion des forêts tropicales africaines, n’est pas abordée. Il est évident que l’aménagement forestier
durable et sa mise en oeuvre sont problématiques dans la région africaine, où l’extraordinaire biodiversité,
l’agriculture itinérante, l’instabilité politique et la guerre civile qui sévit dans beaucoup de pays, ainsi que la
pénurie de ressources financières locales doivent être pris en considération. Près de la moitié de la forêt
du bassin du Congo se situe dans la République démocratique du Congo, qui a été impliquée dans une
guerre civile pendant les deux décennies passées. On ne peut donc pas dire que dans toutes ces forêts les
principes de l’aménagement forestier durable puissent aisément être appliqués.
Le secteur privé opérant dans l’exploitation et la gestion de la plupart des forêts tropicales africaines
est représenté essentiellement par des propriétaires transnationaux, nationaux et locaux (des
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communautés). Les membres transnationaux, tant de l’Association interafricaine des industries forestières
(IFIA) que de l’Association technique internationale des bois tropicaux (ATIBT) sont principalement de
grands concessionnaires, détenant plus de 50 pour cent des 20 millions d’hectares de forêts de production,
en particulier dans la sous-région d’Afrique du Centre. Ils font partie d’un groupe engagé à suivre les
principes de l’AFD, et dans certaines concessions, les plans de gestion sont appliqués plutôt que de
chercher à obtenir une future certification. Les ressortissants des pays sont en général gestionnaires de
concessions forestières d’échelle petite à moyenne, dont la plupart opèrent avec des ressources financières
insuffisantes et ont peu d’aptitudes à gérer des forêts selon des principes de durabilité. Les communautés
locales jouissant de droits de propriété des forêts communautaires sont en général dans l’incapacité de
réaliser la gestion durable sans une certaine forme d’aide de l’extérieur.
Etant donné le degré très variable de capacité de gestion et d’expérience au sein du secteur privé, il
est inévitable qu’un fossé se creuse entre les possibilités de réaliser l’AFD qu’ont les propriétaires
transnationaux bien dotés d’une part et celles des groupes locaux d’autre part. Par conséquent, afin d’éviter
que des systèmes divergents d’AFD se développent dans la région, chacun à son propre rythme
d’évolution, des solutions doivent être trouvées pour réduire l’écart actuel qui se dessine dans la mise en
oeuvre de l’AFD par le secteur privé, entre les propriétaires transnationaux et les communautés nationales.
Le secteur privé est en train de rapidement modifier sa mentalité: de simples bûcherons ils deviennent des
gestionnaires de forêts durables. Essentiellement, cette évolution radicale a été rendue possible grâce à
plusieurs facteurs, entre autres:
• des programmes de formation destinés aux employés à tous les niveaux, de la gestion au
terrain;
• la mise en place de structures d’exécution au sein de l’entreprise en vue de la mise en oeuvre
efficace des plans de gestion;
• l’application des nouvelles techniques de coupe;
• l’établissement de mécanismes permanents de dialogue entre toutes les parties prenantes, en
particulier avec la communauté civile locale;
• la collaboration étroite avec l’administration forestière afin que tous les intéressés parviennent
à mieux comprendre les problèmes liés à la foresterie.
La poursuite de l’AFD est certes un processus très complexe, exigeant une vision et une planification
à long terme. Par ailleurs, le renforcement des capacités reste une des contraintes majeures dans la
poursuite de mesures spécifiques à prendre par certaines entreprises. Le coût de la réalisation de l’AFD est
prohibitif, en particulier pour les propriétaires locaux, ce qui peut être attribué aux facteurs suivants:
• la complexité de la forêt tropicale africaine elle-même;
• le manque d’infrastructure pour le transport routier;
• l’insuffisance des ressources financières dans la région pour mettre en oeuvre un AFD rationnel
et pratique;
• les difficultés auxquelles les pays sont confrontés pour obtenir des prêts d’institutions
financières internationales, de sorte que les forêts sont utilisées pour le service de la dette;
• la nécessité de procéder à des études socio-économiques et environnementales onéreuses;
• l’obligation de se conformer aux prescriptions visant à mettre en place des infrastructures
sociales pour les communautés locales;
• les pressions constantes qui pèsent sur le secteur privé africain et l’image négative qui en
résulte du fait des campagnes d’opinion publique menées par certaines ONG internationales
en Europe;
la difficulté de l’administration forestière de surveiller objectivement l’exécution des plans de gestion
dans les unités forestières de gestion (UFG), notamment en se reportant aux C&I pour évaluer les progrès
réalisés.
À la lumière des questions évoquées ci-dessus, les allocations de fonds devraient donner la priorité à
la mise en oeuvre de l’AFD. Un certain niveau de bonne gestion doit être atteint avant d’envisager la
certification proprement dite. Le processus de certification dans la région, qui devrait par la suite mener à
l’AFD, doit ainsi être considéré comme une démarche à long terme, à mettre en oeuvre par étapes, afin que
les acteurs locaux puissent adéquatement l’internaliser. Cela étant, il faudrait que les ONG internationales
mettent une sourdine à la campagne négative et déséquilibrée qu’elles mènent dans la presse. De telles
pressions imposées au secteur privé africain ne peuvent que produire des résultats défavorables
susceptibles de retarder la réalisation de l’AFD. En outre, elles sont tout à fait inutiles étant donné que le
marché d’exportation lui-même ne peut garantir les prix élevés capables de soutenir les coûts élevés de la
certification.
Compte tenu des réalités de la mise en place de l’AFD que le secteur privé de la région africaine doit
affronter, comme il en été longuement délibéré durant cette session, les recommandations suivantes
peuvent être faites:
1. Reconnaissant le rôle primordial que joue le secteur privé dans l’AFD, l’Organisation africaine
des bois (OAB), l’Organisation internationale des bois tropicaux (OIBT) et la communauté de
donateurs devraient apporter leur aide i) en finançant des projets liés au renforcement des
capacités, ii) en consolidant les liens de collaboration avec les communautés locales et la
société civile et iii) en favorisant le rassemblement d’informations concernant l’accès au
marché.
2. Un dialogue constructif entre le secteur privé et l’administration des forêts devrait être renforcé
afin de permettre la création d’incitations susceptibles de promouvoir de nouvelles initiatives.
3. Les gestionnaires de forêt locaux n’ayant pas les possibilités d’attirer des fonds pour mettre en
oeuvre l’AFD sur le terrain, ils devraient être soutenus par l’administration forestière et la
communauté des donateurs afin d’internaliser à long terme le processus d’AFD.
4. Une partie des taxes forestières imposées par le gouvernement devrait être assignée à la
promotion d’initiatives d’AFD telles que l’exécution du plan de gestion et la délimitation des
UFG.
5. Le mécanisme de collaboration entre le secteur privé et la société civile locale devrait être
facilité et soutenu par la communauté internationale des donateurs, grâce à la promotion
d’initiatives communes liées à la mise en oeuvre de l’AFD.
6. Une étude devrait être entreprise afin d’aider et faciliter le processus de réalisation de l’AFD
par les petites et moyennes entreprises de la région.
7. La certification de l’aménagement forestier en Afrique devrait être concrétisée à l’issue d’une
démarche par étapes, fondée sur les C&I OAB/OIBT pour la gestion durable des forêts
tropicales africaines, et en formant certains acteurs aux processus d’audit de la gestion
forestière.
8. L’OIBT, en collaboration avec le secteur privé, devrait instaurer un cadre permanent qui
permettrait aux pays producteurs de coordonner et de mettre en rapport des expériences
d’AFD et ainsi établir un lien permanent entre les régions tropicales d’Amérique latine, d’AsiePacifique et d’Afrique.
107
108
RESUMEN DEL PRESIDENTE DE LA SESIÓN POR M. ESANO
El desarrollo sostenible no es posible sin abordar el problema de la pobreza relacionado con la ordenación
de los bosques tropicales de África. Es evidente que la ordenación forestal sostenible y su aplicación son
problemáticas en la región africana, donde deben tenerse en cuenta una serie de factores tales como su
extraordinaria biodiversidad, las prácticas de agricultura migratoria, la inestabilidad política y la guerra civil
que tiene lugar en muchos países, así como la falta de recursos financieros. Casi la mitad de la selva de la
Cuenca del Congo se encuentra situada en la República Democrática del Congo, que en las últimas dos
décadas se ha visto afectada por la guerra civil. En consecuencia, no se puede decir que en estos bosques
los principios de la ordenación forestal sostenible sean fácilmente aplicables.
El sector privado relacionado con la explotación y el manejo de la mayoría de los bosques tropicales
africanos está representado principalmente por propietarios transnacionales, nacionales y locales
(comunidades). Los miembros transnacionales de tanto la Asociación Interafricana de Industrias Forestales
(IFIA) como la Asociación Técnica Internacional de Maderas Tropicales (ATIBT) son los principales
concesionarios de gran escala, con más del 50 por ciento de los 20 millones de hectáreas de bosques de
producción, particularmente en la subregión de África Central. Estos concesionarios forman parte de un
grupo dedicado a los principios de la OFS y, en algunas concesiones, se aplican planes de manejo en lugar
de buscar una certificación futura. Los propietarios nacionales, en general, tienen pequeñas y medianas
concesiones forestales y la mayoría de ellos opera con insuficientes recursos financieros y poseen
limitados conocimientos para manejar el bosque sobre la base de los principios de sustentabilidad. Las
comunidades locales con derechos de propiedad sobre los bosques comunales normalmente no cuentan
con la capacidad para aplicar un manejo sostenible sin algún tipo de ayuda externa.
Los distintos niveles de capacidad y experiencia del sector privado en materia de manejo forestal
inevitablemente crearán una brecha cada vez mayor entre los propietarios transnacionales, dotados de
amplios recursos, y los grupos locales, en cuanto a su capacidad para lograr la OFS. Por consiguiente, a
fin de evitar que se desarrollen sistemas divergentes de OFS en la región, cada uno con su propio ritmo de
evolución, se deben encontrar soluciones para reducir la brecha que se observa actualmente en el sector
privado entre las empresas transnacionales y las comunidades y propietarios nacionales.
El sector privado está cambiando rápidamente su mentalidad y los que anteriormente eran simples
extractores ahora se están convirtiendo en administradores del manejo forestal sostenible. Este drástico
cambio se debió principalmente a varios factores que permitieron esta evolución, entre los que se cuentan
los siguientes:
• programas de capacitación dirigidos al personal forestal en todos los niveles, desde gerentes
hasta trabajadores de campo;
• creación de estructuras operativas dentro de la empresa para la ejecución eficaz de los planes
de manejo;
• aplicación de nuevas técnicas de aprovechamiento forestal;
• establecimiento de mecanismos permanentes de diálogo con todas las partes interesadas,
especialmente con la comunidad civil local;
• estrecha colaboración con la administración forestal a fin de permitir una mejor comprensión
de los problemas del ámbito forestal.
La búsqueda de la OFS indudablemente es un proceso muy complejo que requiere una visión y
planificación a largo plazo. Además, el desarrollo de capacidades sigue siendo una de las principales
limitaciones en la adopción de medidas específicas por parte de algunas empresas. El costo de la OFS es
prohibitivo, especialmente para los propietarios locales, lo cual se puede atribuir a los siguientes factores:
• complejidad del bosque tropical africano;
• falta de infraestructura para el transporte por carretera;
• insuficientes recursos financieros en la región para aplicar un proceso de OFS racional y
práctico;
• dificultades experimentadas por los países para obtener préstamos de las instituciones
financieras internacionales, lo que lleva a la utilización de los bosques para cumplir con el
servicio de la deuda;
• la necesidad de llevar a cabo costosos estudios socioeconómicos y ambientales;
• la obligación de cumplir con las normas orientadas a ofrecer infraestructura social para las
comunidades locales;
• las constantes presiones que se ejercen sobre el sector privado africano y la imagen negativa
del mismo debido a las campañas de opinión pública llevadas a cabo en Europa por ciertas
ONG internacionales;
• la dificultad de la administración forestal para controlar objetivamente la ejecución de los
planes de manejo en las unidades de ordenación forestal (UOFs) utilizando criterios e
indicadores (C&I), especialmente con el propósito de evaluar el progreso alcanzado.
En vista de todos estos aspectos, se debería dar prioridad a la aplicación de la OFS en la adjudicación
de fondos. Es preciso lograr un cierto grado de gestión adecuada para poder proceder con la certificación
propiamente dicha. El proceso de certificación en la región, que finalmente conllevará a la OFS, debe
aceptarse como un proceso a largo plazo que debe aplicarse paso a paso para permitir que sea
internalizado adecuadamente por todas las partes interesadas a nivel local. Ante esta realidad, las ONG
internacionales deberían reducir su campaña negativa y desequilibrada. Tales presiones impuestas al
sector privado africano no pueden sino producir efectos adversos que podrían demorar la consecución de
la OFS. Además, tal campaña es inútil ya que el mercado de exportación mismo no puede garantizar
mayores precios para sustentar los elevados costos de la certificación.
Dada la realidad del sector privado en la región africana para conseguir la OFS, según se debatió
largamente en esta sesión, se pueden presentar las siguientes recomendaciones:
1. En reconocimiento del papel fundamental que cumple el sector privado en el proceso de la
ordenación forestal sostenible, la Organización Africana de la Madera (OAM), la Organización
Internacional de las Maderas Tropicales (OIMT) y la comunidad de donantes deberían
contribuir i) financiando proyectos relacionados con el desarrollo de capacidades; (ii)
aumentando la colaboración con las comunidades locales y la sociedad civil, y (iii) fomentando
la recopilación de información en relación con el acceso al mercado.
2. Debería consolidarse un diálogo constructivo entre el sector privado y la administración
forestal a fin de permitir la creación de incentivos que promuevan nuevas iniciativas.
3. Los administradores forestales locales sin la capacidad para atraer capital para poner en
práctica la OFS deberían recibir el apoyo de la administración forestal y la comunidad de
donantes a fin de internalizar el proceso de OFS en el largo plazo.
4. Debería adjudicarse una porción de los impuestos forestales gubernamentales para promover
iniciativas de OFS tales como la aplicación de planes de manejo y la delimitación de UOFs.
5. La comunidad internacional de donantes debería facilitar y apoyar un mecanismo de
colaboración entre el sector privado y la sociedad civil local mediante la promoción de
iniciativas comunes relacionadas con la aplicación de la OFS.
6. Debería llevarse a cabo un estudio a fin de apoyar y facilitar la consecución de la OFS para
las pequeñas y medianas empresas de la región.
7. La certificación del manejo forestal en África debería aplicarse utilizando un enfoque gradual
basado en los C&I de OAM/OIMT para la ordenación sostenible de los bosques tropicales
africanos y en la capacitación de las partes interesadas pertinentes en los procesos de
auditoría del manejo forestal.
8. La OIMT, en colaboración con el sector privado, debería instaurar un marco permanente que
permita la coordinación y el enlace de experiencias de OFS entre los países productores y, de
ese modo, establecer un vínculo permanente entre las regiones tropicales de América Latina,
Asia-Pacífico y África.
109
SESSION 2 – ASIA-PACIFIC
CASE PAPERS
CHAIRMAN: R. B. McCARTHY
CASE STUDY ON SAMLING PLYWOOD (BRAMAS) SDN. BHD., MALAYSIA
LE SOUTIEN DES PARTIES PRENANTES DEFINIT LE SUCCES DE L’AMENAGEMENT FORESTIER DURABLE
EL APOYO DE TODAS LAS PARTES INTERESADAS
DETERMINA EL ÉXITO DE LA ORDENACIÓN FORESTAL SOSTENIBLE
S. K. Chan
Samling Plywoods (Baramas) Sdn Bhd
SUMMARY
In 1998, the Samling Group partnered the Sarawak Forest Department (SFD) and supported by GTZ in a MalaysianGerman Technical Co-operation Project to implement Sustainable Forest Management System in a 100, 650 hectares
pilot area. This area is located in Ulu Baram, Sarawak.
The Project covered, amongst others, the following:
• Forest Resource Assessment (FRA) and zonation into Production, Protection (biodiversity, water
catchment areas, etc) and Communal Use forests.
• Model Road Construction specifications.
• Establishment of Permanent Sample Plots (PSPs) to measure the regeneration/growth rate for assessing
sustainability of harvesting levels (Annual Allowable Cut).
• Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) practices.
• A comprehensive Forest Management Plan (FMP) that meets the certification requirements of the
Malaysian Criteria and Indicators (MC&I) under Malaysian Timber Certification (MTCC) and the Principles
and Indicators of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
In year 2000, the Company implemented SFM practices in its forest management to gain step-wise approach
towards timber certification.
• A SFM Center was set up in the forest areas to administer the implementation on a full commercial scale.
• A Liaison Committee comprising local communities, Sarawak Forestry Department (SFD), Samling and
interest groups to hold regular meetings to address issues of common interests and to form development
and implementation plans for sustained development projects.
• A nursery of capacity of 500,000 seedlings to cater for reforestation of degraded areas. Indigenous tree
species such as Kapur, Keruing, Engkabang, and Sentang are being planted in an area of 2,308 hectares
nearby the SFM Center. This nursery is also for Community Forestry projects in degraded areas caused
by shifting agriculture.
Cooperation agreement with two indigenous communities had been finalised to reforest a total of 250 hectares and
actual planting had progressed on a 68 hectares scheme.
• Samling is actively assisting in coffee planting and deer farming to meet sustenance needs of the
community.
• Samling has a cooperation agreement with Wildlife Conservation Society, New York, in biodiversity
conservation and moving towards a medium term plan to do more research in flora and fauna
conservation.
• The SFM Project is closely monitored by the SFD and Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) expertise in
forest engineering, silviculture, scientific research and reforestation.
• Pre-assessment for forest certification had been conducted in September 2003 with main assessment
being scheduled for early 2004.
Socio-economic development is planned and implemented to progress for community support to sustainable forest
management.
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114
RESUME
En 1998, le Groupe Samling, en coopération avec le Département des forêts du Sarawak (SFD) et avec l’appui de GTZ,
par un projet germano-malaisien de coopération technique, a mis en oeuvre un système d’aménagement forestier
durable sur une parcelle pilote de 100.650 ha située dans l’Ulu Baram au Sarawak.
Le projet portait, entre autres, sur: 1) l’évaluation des ressources forestières et le zonage en forêts de production,
de protection (biodiversité, bassins versants, etc.) et forêts communales; 2) les caractéristiques types de la construction
de routes; 3) l’établissement de parcelles d’échantillonnage permanentes (PEP) pour mesurer le taux de
régénération/accroissement en vue d’évaluer la durabilité des niveaux de prélèvement (possibilité annuelle autorisée);
4) les pratiques en matière d’exploitation à faible impact (EFI), et 5) un plan exhaustif de gestion forestière (PGF)
conforme aux prescriptions des critères et indicateurs malaisiens (MC&I) à satisfaire pour obtenir une certification au
titre du régime malaisien de certification des bois (MTCC) et aux principes et indicateurs du Forest Stewardship Council
(FSC).
En 2000, l’entreprise a mis en oeuvre les pratiques de l’AFD pour gérer les forêts en adoptant une approche par
étapes de la certification des bois. Les mesures importantes appliquées par l’entreprise sont énumérées ci-dessous:
• Un centre d’AFD a été mis en place dans les zones forestières pour administrer l’exécution des pratiques
en matière d’AFD à une échelle entièrement commerciale.
• Un Comité de liaison comprenant les communautés, le département des forêts du Sarawak (SFD),
l’entreprise Samling et les groupes d’intérêt locaux a été constitué. Ce comité se réunira régulièrement
pour aborder des questions d’intérêt commun et pour formuler des plans de développement et
d’exécution pour des projets de développement soutenu.
• Une pépinière d’une capacité de 500. 000 jeunes plants a été établie pour reboiser les espaces dégradés.
Des essences locales telles que Kapur, Keruing, Engkabang, et Sentang sont plantées sur une superficie
de 2.308 ha à proximité du centre d’AFD. Cette pépinière est également destinée à répondre aux besoins
de projets forestiers communautaires dans des zones dégradées par l’agriculture itinérante.
• Des accords de coopération ont été passés avec deux communautés autochtones en vue de reboiser au
total 250 ha; les plantations ont effectivement eu lieu dans le cadre d’un projet couvrant 68 ha.
• Samling aide activement à la plantation de caféiers et à l’élevage de cerfs en vue de répondre aux
besoins de subsistance de la communauté.
• Samling a passé avec la société de conservation des espèces sauvages (Wildlife Conservation Society)
de New York un accord de coopération pour la conservation de la biodiversité, et a entrepris l’élaboration
d’un plan à moyen terme pour engager davantage de recherches sur la conservation de la flore et de la
faune.
• Le projet d’AFD est suivi de près par les experts du SFD et de la Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) en
matière de génie forestier, sylviculture, recherche scientifique et reboisement
• L’évaluation préalable à la certification forestière a eu lieu en septembre 2003 et l’évaluation principale
est prévue pour mars 2004.
Dans ses efforts visant à mettre en oeuvre l’AFD, Samling se trouve face à des contraintes et des difficultés
majeures pour régler des conflits de caractère foncier, y compris des différends entre communautés, ce qui gêne
souvent les opérations forestières. Les problèmes logistiques représentent également une contrainte majeure durant
l’exécution des projets de développement communautaire, du fait que la population des communautés locales est peu
nombreuse et largement dispersée. Ces progrès en direction de l’AFD ont été réalisés grâce au renforcement des
capacités dans plusieurs domaines liés l’AFD: l’exécution conforme de l’EFI (exploitation à faible impact), la
réhabilitation des forêts, la conservation de la faune, la valorisation des bassins versants, une plus forte participation
des communautés locales et le respect des normes minimales acceptables dans tous les aspects de la gestion
forestière.
RESUMEN
En 1998, el Grupo Samling, en cooperación con el Departamento Forestal de Sarawak (SFD) y con el apoyo de la GTZ,
mediante el Proyecto de Cooperación Técnica Malasio-Alemán, puso en práctica un sistema de ordenación forestal
sostenible en un área piloto de 100.650 hectáreas en el Ulu Baram de Sarawak.
El proyecto cubrió los siguientes aspectos, entre otros: (1) evaluación de recursos forestales (ERF) y zonificación
en bosques de producción, protección (biodiversidad, cuencas hidrográficas, etc.) y uso comunal; (2) especificaciones
para un modelo de construcción de caminos; (3) establecimiento de parcelas permanentes de muestreo (PPM) para
medir la tasa de regeneración /crecimiento a fin de evaluar la sustentabilidad de los distintos niveles de extracción
(posibilidad de corta anual – PCA); (4) prácticas de extracción de impacto reducido (EIR); y (5) plan de manejo forestal
(PMF) exhaustivo conforme a los requisitos de certificación de los criterios e indicadores malasios (MC&I) del Consejo
de Certificación de Maderas de Malasia (MTCC) y los principios e indicadores del Consejo de Gestión Forestal (FSC).
En el año 2000, la empresa comenzó a aplicar prácticas de OFS en su manejo forestal con el fin de adoptar un
enfoque gradual para la certificación de sus maderas. A continuación se enumeran los avances más importantes de
esta empresa en la materia:
• Se estableció un Centro de OFS en las zonas forestales con el fin de administrar las prácticas de OFS a
escala totalmente comercial.
• Se formó un Comité de Enlace integrado por representantes de las comunidades locales, el
Departamento Forestal de Sarawak (SFD), Samling y otros grupos interesados. Este comité celebrará
reuniones periódicas para abordar temas de interés común y elaborar planes de ejecución y desarrollo
para proyectos de desarrollo sostenido.
• Se instaló un vivero con una capacidad de producción de 500.000 plántulas para la reforestación de
zonas degradadas. Actualmente, se están plantando especies arbóreas nativas, tales como Kapur,
Keruing, Engkabang y Sentang, en un área de 2.308 hectáreas cerca del Centro de OFS. Este vivero
también produce material para proyectos de silvicultura comunitaria en las zonas degradadas por causa
de los cultivos migratorios.
• Se concertó un acuerdo de cooperación con dos comunidades indígenas a fin de reforestar un total de
250 hectáreas y se iniciaron las actividades de plantación en el marco de un proyecto de 68 hectáreas.
• Samling está contribuyendo activamente a la plantación de café y la cría de ciervos para satisfacer las
necesidades de subsistencia de las comunidades.
• La empresa ha suscrito un acuerdo de cooperación con la Sociedad de Conservación de Vida Silvestre
(Nueva York) para la conservación de la biodiversidad y está tramitando un plan a mediano plazo para
llevar a cabo más investigación sobre la conservación de especies de flora y fauna.
• El Proyecto de OFS se está llevando a cabo bajo la estricta supervisión de expertos del SFD y la
Corporación Forestal de Sarawak (SFC) especializados en ingeniería forestal, silvicultura, investigación
científica y reforestación.
• La evaluación preliminar para la certificación forestal tuvo lugar en septiembre de 2003 y la evaluación
principal se programó para marzo de 2004.
En su proceso de aplicación de la OFS, Samling debió hacer frente a importantes limitaciones y dificultades
relacionadas con la resolución de conflictos relativos a reclamos sobre tierras, inclusive disputas entre las
comunidades, que con frecuencia obstaculizan las operaciones forestales. Otra limitación importante son los
problemas logísticos planteados durante la ejecución de proyectos de desarrollo comunitario, debido a que la población
de las comunidades locales es escasa y ampliamente dispersa. Este avance hacia la OFS se logró mediante el
desarrollo de capacidad en materia de ordenación forestal sostenible, la aplicación de técnicas de EIR (extracción de
impacto reducido), la rehabilitación forestal, la conservación de la fauna silvestre, el mejoramiento de los valores de las
cuencas hidrográficas, una mayor participación de las comunidades locales y el cumplimiento de niveles aceptables
mínimos en todos los aspectos del manejo forestal.
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1.0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This case pertains to Selaan-Linau Forest Management Unit of Samling Plywood (Baramas) Sdn Bhd. The
FMU has a total area of about 100 650 ha, which comprises of 87 352 (87%) of natural forests and 13 298
(13%) of shifting cultivation area, situate in the Upper Baram region of Sarawak. The area is somewhat
remote, about 250 km from Miri, with access by road and air transportation.
The area of Selaan-Linau FMU covers the Forest Timber Licensed Area of T/0412 issued to Samling
Plywood (Baramas) Sdn Bhd (SPB), an affiliate of the Samling Group of companies. The geographical
location is between 2º 57’ and 3º 79’ N latitude and 114º 59’ and 114º 21’ E longitude. About 50 450 ha, is
classified as Permanent Forest Estate. The present licence period is 20 years, beginning 01 September
1993.
For convenience of management and operations, TL.No.T/0412 has been phased into two sectors
namely – T/0412A and T/0412B, with the following area break-down:
T/0412 A : 5 857 ha
T/0412 B : 4 803 ha
Total
: 100 650 ha
It is to be clarified here that Selaan-Linau FMU functions within the context of a number of other timber
licensed areas managed by the Samling group and for the Baram Region it stretches upto the Indonesian
Kalimantan border.
SPB has a plywood mill situated in Kuala Baram and manufactures plywood of tropical hardwood
species like Meranti, Kapur and Keruing for local and international markets.
2.0
TIMBER LICENSE REGULATIONS
2.1 Application and Approval Procedures
As specified in the laws and regulations relevant for the management and utilisation of forest resources in
Sarawak – such as the Forest Ordinance 1958, the Forest Rules 1973 and the Land Code 1958, the
authority to approve Timber License applications is the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. The
authority to issue the Approved Timber License (ATL) is the Sarawak Forest Department.
The timber license specifies the conditions to be followed in managing and utilizing the forest, including
yield control and planned annual area logging practices, pre-and post harvest operations, social and
environmental obligations of the company and so on. These are contained in 32 clauses and 6 schedules
included as attachments to the timber license. The schedules cover the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
First Schedule – Working Plan
Second Schedule – Licensed Area (Maps)
Third Schedule – Obligatory Species
Fourth Schedule – Royalty Rates and Premium
Fifth Schedule – Liquidated Damages
Sixth Schedule – Agreement
2.2 Forest Zoning by Functions
The forest zoning by specific functions integrates multiple purposes of forest management and needs of the
stakeholders. Each particular zonation is managed according to its defined functions to attain the
sustainable management of all forest resources. The main functions defined for the FMU are:
• Protection (soil protection, wildlife conservation, water catchment areas and high conservation
value forests)
• Production (timber production)
• Community use
Table 1 gives the distribution of the effective forest area of the FMU by functional classification
Table 1. Area distribution by functional classification
Area (ha)
Total Area
Function
T/0412A
Protection
Production
Community Use
Total
17, 045
34, 013
4, 789
55, 857
T/0412B
11, 216
23, 769
9, 818
44, 803
(Ha)
28, 261
57, 782
14, 607
100, 650
(%)
28
57
15
100
2.3 Yield Regulation and AAC
Yield Regulation is based on area control, combined with an approved Monthly Production Limit (MPL).
Considering an effective forest area of 100, 650 ha and a 20 year licence period and providing allowances
for non-available areas such as stream buffers, the computed allowable annual cutting area is given as 5
900 ha.
2.4 Annual Allowable Cut
A total harvestable volume of maximum 75, 000 m3 annually from the whole FMU on a sustainable basis is
under the approved MPL. This volume is based on the following assumptions:
•
•
•
•
The net production area of FMU is maintained.
No significant fire events or other calamities to negatively affect the timber stocking level.
There will be no encroachment activities in the FMU area.
Timber harvesting operations are strictly carried out under RIL guidelines.
The final harvestable volume includes a precautionary factor for uncertainties associated with the forest
resource assessment and forecasting the future growth and yield. Such uncertainties might also be caused
by reduction in growth rates due to severe drought, calamities and other unpredictable influence.
3.0 FOREST TYPES AND THE SITE FACTORS
Almost the entire FMU falls under the broad vegetational category of tropical rain forest. Based on climatic
variations, elevation and pedological factors, different vegetational formations and forest types are found.
3.1 Forest Types
Six forest types/sub-types were identified in the FMU based on interpretation of satellite images (1995/96)
sub-types and old aerial photos (1976). The natural forest is dominated by the Mixed Hill Dipterocarp Forest
(MDF) accounting for about 75%, most of them with medium density stocking. Other forest types are
Kerangas forest (21%) and Montane forests (4%) (Table 2).
Besides the forest types described above, some riparian forests occur along the major rivers and
tributaries. However, their areas are too small to be identified on the aerial photos and cannot, therefore, be
accurately quantified.
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Table 2. Breakdown of effective area of FMU by forest types
Total Area
Forest type
(Ha)
Mixed Dipterocarp Forest
I (Low density)
II (Medium density)
III (High density)
Kerangas Forest
Montane Forest
Total
14, 143
58, 434
3, 610
20, 688
3, 775
100, 650
(%)
14
58
3
21
4
100
There is no clear correspondence between a vegetational type and the functions of the forest,
discussed earlier. However, areas carrying timber stocks of commercial value will be managed for
production. MDF categories I, II and III qualify to be so managed. Kerangas, Limestone and Montane forests
carry non-commercial timber stocks.
3.2
Physical Environment
Climate
The climate where the FMU is situated is generally wet and equatorial with an average annual rainfall
between 3, 300 mm to 5,900 mm. Average annual temperature is 27ºC with minimum and maximum of 24ºC
and 31ºC respectively.
Geology and Topography
The FMU is geologically of sedimentary rocks from the Miocene and Palaeocene strata. The topography is
predominantly irregular, hilly lowlands, with elevation from 165 m to 2,228 m a.s.I. The terrain ranges from
moderately sloping in the lowland to steep mountainside.
Soils
The major soil groups are Red Yellow Podzolic and Skeletal Soils or Red Yellow Podzolic/Skeletal Soils
associations (73% of total area). The soils are well drained, less erosion-prone but susceptible to
compaction. They are comparitively infertile and are not known to support high timber yield. Podzol and
alluvial soils are also present, but of lesser significance. Alluvial soils have much higher fertility compared
to all other soil types occurring in the area.
4.0 DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIO-CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT
The FMU is home to three ethnic groups, the Kenyah, Kelabit and Penan, each with their distinct languages,
social-cultural systems and economic activities. The Kenyah and Kelabit are sedentary agrarian
communities living along the major river systems of the Upper Baram Basin in larger settlements. The
formerly nomadic hunter –gatherer Penan is recently settled in smaller agrarian communities on banks of
river tributaries. Currently there are seven Kenyah, one Kelabit and twelve Penan communities
(settlements/villages/longhouses) in the FMU with a total of 660 households and over 4,200 individuals. In
all these communities, a form of committees are set up to facilitate development activities. The “komiti” with
its official acronym-JKKK (Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan – Village Development and Security
Committee) is responsible for any activity related to the Government, development projects, cleanliness,
and security pertaining to their villages.
Shifting cultivation is the most important traditional economic activity for most of the local communities,
with hill (dry) rice as the main crop. Tapioca is also grown, but to a lesser extent, along with other food crops.
Other agricultural activities pursued, but on a limited scale, include wet rice (by some Kelabit) and cash
crops such as rubber, pepper, cocoa. Generally, agrofarming is on a subsistence scale with negligible
commercial production. Restricted accessibility to market and planting scale is the main constraint to
viability of cash crops.
The traditional subsistence activities of hunting and fishing are still practiced including harvesting of
timber and non-timber resources such as sago, mushrooms, rattan and palm leaves. Penan families, often,
go on expeditions into the forest to collect aloe wood (Aquilaria spp).
Samling provides employment to the local community in the logging camps as drivers/operators, tree
fellers, debarkers, hookmen, survey crew and in other daily paid jobs.
5.0 SYSTEM OF FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING
The system of management planning adopted in Selaan-Linau FMU consists of a 10 year Forest
Management Plan and Annual Operational Plan(s). The 10-year plan provides the overall perspective and
guidelines, as well as the conceptual basis for activity planning. The annual plan include both pre - and postharvest activities to be undertaken within an annual budget period, along with the details of activities, related
procedures and pre-conditions.
SPB is promoting multiple use management as the basis of SFM for greater efficiency and productivity,
integrating the protection, production and community-use functions of the forest. For purposes of intensive
and efficient management, the FMU is divided into 999 blocks (Table 3).
Table 3. Distribution of compartments by functional categories
Function
Number of Blocks
Protection
Production
Community use
Total
300
604
95
999
Area (Ha)
28, 261
57, 782
14, 607
100, 650
5.1 The 10-Year Forest Management Plan
The current FMP of Selaan-Linau FMU covers the period July 2003 to December 2013.
• It has 11 chapters, dealing with the following:
• Policy statement: covering policy environment, work planning, strategic aspects such as permit
to enter coupe (PEC) and engineering plan.
• Forest management: covering objectives, involvement of stakeholders (Liaison Committee),
zoning by functions, and yield regulation.
• Timber harvesting: covering RIL standards and logging schedules.
• Silviculture, forest rehabilitation and reforestation.
• Wildlife Management.
• Forest protection and management of protected areas.
• Infrastructure development including roads, bridges, community amentities and nursery.
• Environmental impact assessment.
• Occupational health and safety of workers.
• Forestry research.
5.1.1
Objectives
The FMP has been formulated within the policy and legal framework established by the government of
Sarawak, the principles set out in forest certification schemes, and the guidelines provided in Forest
Management Information System Sarawak (FOMISS).
Sarawak has been managing the forests following a selection system under the “sustained yield”
concept:
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i. Harvesting on rotational basis on mostly a 25-year cycle or coupes;
ii. Minimum cutting size of 45 cm dbh for non-Dipterocarps and 60 cm dbh for Diptrocarps;
iii. Only merchantable trees are allowed to be harvested safeguarding the protected species.
Water catchment and other forest areas of significant conservation values are protected.
While basically following the approved selection system of forest management, SPB has through years
of research devised a forest management programme that balances development with sustainability. Much
of this strength was acquired through knowledge gained in the operations of its affiliates. The company’s
Sustainable Forest Resource Management (SFRM) programme was built on three essential foundations:
economical viability, environmental compatibility and social acceptance of forest resource management.
With these forming a general framework, its resource management aims to achieve the following objectives:
• To promote a method of timber extraction that preserves the ecological conditions of the forest
and its wildlife habitat.
• To do post-felling such as silviculture in harvested areas to enhance a continuous supply of
timber.
• To bring to the community, government and self-approved development projects
• To optimize the production of high-quality timber whilst complying with conservation efforts and
socio-economic needs.
• To reduce the wastage of timber resources by setting up industries that process them into
products.
• To maintain and / or enhance the integrity of forest ecosystem functions and to strengthen their
self-renewal capacity.
Continuous participatory stakeholder consultation facilitates and supports the planning,
implementation, and monitoring processes of forest management. A Liaison Committee of major
stakeholders (i.e. SPB, SFD and local community) has been established to address issues of common
interests, in the implementation of the management activities in the FMU. Progress of implementation of
FMP is reported at the Liaison Committee meetings.
5.1.2
Some Strategic Aspects
Several strategic measures are involved in managing the FMU properly.
5.1.3
Phasing of Harvesting
For reasons of skill capacity building and management control, the FMU is divided into two sectors,
representing two phases of SFM implementation:
Phase
Phase
I : T/0412 A (55 857 ha)
II : T/0412 B (44 803 ha)
The second phase is to be implemented subsequent to successful SFM practices and certification in
Phase I.
Area involved in each of the phases has been divided into harvesting coupes, in order to regulate
harvesting. The FMU has been, thus, divided into 20 coupes:
T/0412 A : 10 coupes
T/0412 B : 10 coupes
Total
: 20 coupes
Each of the coupes may have different functional areas (i.e. production, protection and community-use).
The coupes are further sub divided into harvesting units (also called logging blocks) such that each sub-unit
represents a functional unit.
5.1.4
Net Production Area vs Net Operable Area
Net production area and net operable area are derived based on the forest zoning approach described
above. The net production area is essential for the determination of the Annual Allowable Cut (AAC). The
net operable area indicates the total area where timber harvesting can be actually carried out. Gross
production area, shown earlier comprises 999 compartments (20 coupes) with a gross area of 79 262 ha.
Of this, the extent of area under protection is 28 261 ha; and an area of 14 607 ha is defined for community
use. Thus the net area available for harvesting is 79 262 - (28 261+ 14 607) = 57 782 ha (Table 4).
Table 4. Net Available area by functional category (Hectares)
Function
Gross area
Adjustment for protection
Lost
5.1.5
Protection
Production
Community use
21 388
79 262
Total
100 650
6 873
14 607
28 261
57 782
14 607
21480
100 650
21 480
21480
Net area
Gained
Harvesting Control
Timber harvesting activities are permitted only in those blocks (standard size of about 100 ha) which have
been approved by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) Miri, through the Permit to Enter Coupe (PEC).
The requisite activities for issuing a PEC include:
•
•
•
•
•
Cutting and demarcation of coupe boundaries as proposed in the harvesting map.
Tree enumeration and topographical survey for map preparation.
Cutting and demarcation of logging blocks (block boundaries).
Road alignment, road and bridge construction.
Tree felling and extraction.
As the harvesting operation proceeds, the SFC will approve timber harvesting in other blocks, usually
equal in number to those declared harvested by the Licensee. The number of blocks being worked at one
time depends on the progress of the operation and the remaining coupe area, however, within the limits of
the maximum annual area.
A general plan (GP) for planning road network and coupe layout for the whole license area, in a small
scale map is submitted. Once approved, this is to be followed by a Detailed Plan, which is made at the
individual coupe level to align road network (main, secondary and feeder roads) in all logging blocks, and to
indicate inoperable areas, in large scale maps.
The engineering plan (the plan for roads and harvesting operations) is used along with PEC for
regulating timber harvesting.
5.1.6
Estimation of Yield
Both area and volume control methods are used in Sarawak to determine the Monthly Production Limit
(MPL). Yield per unit area is influenced by various growth parameters such as present growing stock, tree
diameter distribution, tree increment, tree mortality and regeneration dynamics which decides the harvest
cycle. Some long-term data on these aspects are gathered from Forest Research Plots in Sarawak.
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Growth simulation using Dipterocarp Forest Growth Simulation Model (DIPSIM) has indicated that the
average growing stock conditions after 40 years are relatively close to those recorded in primary forest areas
in the FMU (i.e. 259 m3/ha). Thus, a 40-year harvesting cycle would lead to a nearly complete replenishment
of the commercial growing stock to pre-harvesting levels.
The simulation study indicated that the optimum growing stock for the FMU is around 180 m3/ha. At this
level, the trees of DBH 45cm and above can produce a gross volume increment of about 2.6 m3/ha/year.
Allowing an average growing stock of 180 m3/ha, which is less than the current level of 200 m3/ha in the
FMU, it will be possible to maintain harvest of these forests at sustainable level.
Further, several harvesting levels were simulated in order to derive the final AAC. The parameters used
for the simulation runs were the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Simulation period: 40 years
Minimum economic cut: 20 cum/ha
Maximum number of harvestable trees: 10 trees/ha
Minimum cutting limits: Dipterocarps (60 cm); non-Dipterocarps (45cm)
RIL logging damage limits: dbh 10-20 cm (30%); dbh 20-40cm (30%); dbh>40cm (20%)
Utilization factor: 80%
The simulated harvesting levels were evaluated against indicators which are considered “sustainable” if:
• The number of residual trees >/=45/60 cm dbh has not declined over the 40-year projection
period, compared with the current level.
• The volume of commercial species >/= 10 cm dbh in the residual stand has not declined below
the optimum growing stock level of 180 m3/ha.
The conclusion drawn from the above DIPSM simulation results is that a total harvest volume of
maximum 82 500 m3 can be obtained annually from the FMU on a sustainable basis and shall serve as the
preliminary Annual Allowable Cut (AAC). The preliminary AAC has been reduced to 75 000 m3, on applying
a precautionary factor, as the target AAC.
As already noted, the FMU is subdivided into 20 Harvesting Coupes (total of 100 650ha) with an
average net operable area of 2 950 ha per unit.
5.2 Mid-term Review of FMP
The Forest Management Information System Sarawak (FOMISS) has specified that after a 5-year period, a
mid-term review is performed to facilitate adjustments for crucial changes affecting the FMP implementation.
This is the responsibility of the licence holder.
5.3
Annual Operations Plan
• The annual operations Plan (AOP) charts the pre-harvest and post-harvest activities. The preharvest operations covered in the AOP are the following:
• Following a harvesting plan (GP), showing annual coupes and the infrastructure details.
Number of coupes taken up each year depends upon the period of harvesting (license) and
other factors.
• Lay out of annual coupes, following natural features and numbered in the order they are to be
logged.
• Design of proposed main road networks linking the licensed area (FMU) to waterways,
barging/rafting points etc.
• Design/location of other infrastructure including bridges/culverts, camp sites, dumping stations.
• Preparation of detailed harvesting plan (DP), showing harvesting blocks within coupes and
forest road system.
• Layout of harvesting blocks, normal size 50 to 100 ha, with boundary following natural features
and marking/indicating inoperable areas.
• Design forest road system, including secondary and feeder roads (such that density of skid
trails could be reduced), following guidelines.
• Application for Permit to Enter Coupe (PEC) based on approved DP.
• Traverse survey of the proposed alignment of main, secondary and feeder roads to obtain
endorsement of SFC, Miri.
• Road construction, following road design standards.
• On-ground boundary demarcation (common and/or of annual coupe/block) and obtain “
certificate of satisfaction” from SFC.
• Skid trail alignment and marking, following guidelines, to connect main skid trails to roads,
keeping skid trail density to minimum.
• Skid trail mapping showing the main trails, secondary feeder trails, trail junctions etc.
• Tree selection and marking based on RIL implementation guidelines, and details recorded in a
“pre-felling inventory”.
• Submission (of operational inventory recording sheet, showing harvestable volume of individual
blocks, enumeration data and skid map to SFC, Miri) for pre-felling inspection and
endorsement.
• Pre-felling inspection by SFC, Miri to declare completion of pre-harvest operations provided
they meet the pre-requisite standards. (If not, rectification and re-inspection will be needed).
AOP also specify post-harvest operations, namely compliance assessment, post-harvest inspection
and closing of logging blocks.
5.3.1
Planning Flow
The sequential steps of the annual planning flow chart, based on the Timber License, are these:
•
•
•
•
•
Based on approved GP, the DP is prepared and approval obtained.
Upon DP approval, apply for PEC to SFC, Miri who carries out a pre-felling inspection.
Obtain endorsement of PEC and start harvesting operations.
Upon completion of harvesting in a block, apply for block closing;
Continue the cycle with a new DP for new block(s).
A planning flow chart is given in Table 5.
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Table 5. Annual operations plan flowchart
FOREST TIMBER LICENCE
GP PREPARATION AND APPROVAL
DP PREPARATION AND APPROVAL
APPLICATION AND ISSUANCE OF PEC WITH OPTS 1-3
APPLICATION AND ISSUANCE OF PEC WITH OPTS 4
PRE-FELLING INSPECTION
APPLICATION AND ENDORSEMENT OF PEC WITH OPTS 5
HARVESTING OPERATION
APPLICATION FOR BLOCKS CLOSING
POST-HARVESTING INSPECTION
CLOSURE OF BLOCKS
6.0 LOGGING OPERATIONS
The logging operations follow the system of selective cutting along planned skid-trails with directional felling
and mechanical (tractor) skidding. All operations follow RIL implementation guidelines.
6.1 Tree Selection and Marking
Dipterocarps with minimum dbh of 60 cm and Non-Dipterocarps of minimum dbh of 45 cm are to be
enumerated as well as obligatory tree species listed under the relevant schedule of the Timber License. Any
utilizable tree of non-obligatory merchantable species may also be enumerated if they are not prohibited
under the Forest Rules.
Merchantable harvestable trees within a corridor of 60 m (on ground distance) left and right of the skid
trail are selected and marked with a clearly visible yellow cross (X). The preferred felling direction of
harvestable trees will be marked with a yellow perpendicular line of at least 0.5 m. Each tree identified for
harvesting is tagged with a Samling RIL plastic tag (compound tag consists of 3 sub-tags) bearing an
identical 4-digit serial number.
Potential crop trees and fruit trees, as defined in the RIL Implementation Guideline are also marked
with red-white banded plastic flagging at a height of at least 2.0 m for alerting the felling crew to take extra
care not to damage them.
All trees marked for felling, potential crop trees, and fruit trees shall be recorded in the Stock Sheet
corresponding with each of the trail section. Locations of trees left and right of the trail shall be noted.
6.2 Tree Felling
Tree felling is carried out adhering to RIL standard with directional felling techniques. Tree crowns should
preferably be felled onto skid trails. Fellings should not, however, create gaps of sizes more than 500 sq.
meter. Tree felling should preferably be undertaken with wedges to direct the trees towards the desired
direction of fall (Jonathan et al., 1999). The aim is to achieve the following standards:
• Felling damage is reduced to <25% of residual stand (average value over all diameter
classess).
• Timber extraction is facilitated, reducing the skidding damages and increasing overall
operational efficiency.
The typical 3-man felling team, comprising feller, tractor driver and hookman, produces about 400 m3
per month, averaging 18 workdays per month. Incentives are given if this norm and standards is of RIL are
achieved.
6.3 Ground Skidding Operation
The main objective of ground skidding following RIL guidelines is to ensure an environmentally sound,
socially beneficial and economically efficient harvesting of timber, and to achieve the following management
standards:
• a skid trail density that provides reasonable access to commercial trees with lowest possible
area disturbance; trail gradient £27%; trail location on top or left/right of ridge position; side cut,
if necessary, should be £50% slope gradient;
• reduced soil erosion and compaction of productive forest area;
• tractors remain on the skid trail, using winching method to extract logs from felling site to the
trail;
• no disturbance of river buffer zones, on both sides of permanent rivers and creeks (20 m
measured from the stream banks);
• bridge/culvert necessary for river crossing if width> 3m;
• protection of important non-timber forest produces for the benefit of local communities;
• a harvesting intensity of 20-40 m3/ha of commercial timber equivalent to 4-8 trees/ha;
• felling gap sizes of less than 500 sq. meter; and
• a residual stand damage through yarding of less than 25% (average for all diameter classes).
Recommended level of infrastructure
Under the RIL Guidelines, the following levels of infrastructure are recommended:
• Skid trail density, to provide reasonable access to commercial trees causing lowest possible
area disturbance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .below 100 m/ha
• Maximum feeder road density . . . . . . . . . . .10m/ha
• Maximum secondary road density . . . . . . . .2m/ha
• Maximum main road density . . . . . . . . . . . . .1m/ha
Standards of environmentally friendly road construction are adopted as described in the operator
manual for road construction (Benneckendorf, 2000).
6.4 Scaling, Grading and Transportation
The round logs produced in the FMU are hauled to intermediary points where log sorting, scaling and
grading are carried out. Subsequently, the logs are trucked further down to the Logpond where further
grading, species checks and royalty measurements are carried out by SFC staff. The logs are then loaded
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onto barges for transportation down Batang Baram to Assam Paya where the final sorting and grading is
made to separate logs for export from those to be used for local processing. Export logs will be re-loaded
onto barges for transportation to sea vessel. Logs for local processing will be delivered to Samling’s
processing mills.
6.5 Use of Heavy Equipments
Since all the operations (road construction, harvesting, transportation) are mechanized, the company utilize
a number of heavy equipment such as excavators, skidders/tractors, dump trucks, motor grader, log trucks,
log loaders, pick-up land cruisers and so on for this FMU.
6.6 Field Camps
There is a network of one main camp and several skidding camps to manage and control the logging
operations in the Selaan-Linau FMU.
The SFM Center, Kelesa is the main camp for administration of the operations in the FMU. All
respective implementation activities will be planned, co-ordinated and monitored by the Center. The staff
and workers of the FMU are based in SFM Center, Kelesa.
6.7 Post harvest Activities
Post-harvest activities essentially address two aspects: assess the stand condition after logging; and take
up rehabilitation measures suitable to enhance regeneration.
6.8 RIL Compliance Assessment
The compliance assessment process involves a four-tier recording system at 10m intervals along all skid
trails. Based on a point system, the extent of damage to the residual stand is assessed in accordance with
RIL objectives. The assessment helps to design corrective measures.
7.0 POST-HARVEST INSPECTION AND CLOSURE OF LOGGING BLOCKS
Upon completion of harvesting, the SFC conducts post-harvesting inspection in the harvesting block in
accordance with the “Instruction for the Inspection on Hill Logging Areas”. Non-compliance recorded include
felling of undersized trees, not felling marketable trees of obligatory species, presence of high stumps,
remnant logs, presence of logged trees, damage to the residual stand and any other non-conformances. An
inspection report will be prepared by SFC for necessary action. Following any necessary corrective
measures by the Licensee, the SFC will declare a block closed by issuing the Coupe Clearance Certificate
for the blocks inspected. No further cutting within a licensed period will be permitted in a harvesting block
after it has been declared closed.
7.1 Post Harvest Inventory
Post harvest inventory and follow-up diagnosis are central to identifying suitable silvicultural treatment for
the particular residual stand. The standard approach adopted by the Company is as follows:
• A post-felling inventory with 2 to 5% sampling is conducted for commercial stocking in all
diameter classes, including quality assessment.
• Data are analysed and compared with a minimum stocking standard.
• Decisions are made on treatments to be prescribed.
• Given that treatment is necessary, fieldwork is planned and implemented.
8.0 SILVICULTURAL OPERATIONS IN LOGGED-OVER AREAS
Silvicultural management of the production areas, primarily aims to sustain and enhance the timber harvest
level. The company’s strategy of silvicultural operations for the logged-over forests has the following
objectives:
• To secure an adequate stocking of harvested production forest with commercial species while
maintaining a high species diversity.
• To increase the growth rate of selected commercial trees.
• To increase commercial value of production forests.
• To obtain optimum harvesting levels.
8.1 The Silvicultural Decision Support System (SDSS)
The treatment to be given to the harvested natural forest is selected by using SDSS, which is based on
establishing the relationship between the actual commercial stocking situation and the number of big trees
(of crown diameter 17.5 m) left behind. A limited number of ground control plots covering typical residual
stocking conditions were used. A threshold value of one big tree/ha is a suitable value to distinguish the
poorly stocked areas from those areas richer in commercial stocking. Treatment options were derived for
all under-stocked compartments, based on an analysis of recent aerial photos.
Treatment essentially involves the identification and liberation of Potential Crop Trees (PCTs) and
intensive initial monitoring on growth response (sub-annual to annual), where further liberation treatments
are prescribed, as necessary. Monitoring frequency eases to 5-yearly interval after the fifth year. A system
of priority ranking was devised based on factors such as forest function, land use, fire occurrence, number
of years elapsed after harvesting, and accessibility, to identify compartments for silvicultural treatment. The
approach improves the effectiveness of regeneration, where indigenous fast growing commercial species
are preferred for rehabilitation measures.
A calculation of the area to be treated was carried out by Richter (2000), based on interpretation of
aerial photos. The results indicated that 21 compartments (approximately 2,355 ha in Sector A) should be
treated per year, either by multilayer approach (MLA) or by enrichment planting (EP) or reforestation (of
areas affected by forest fires during ESNO period in 1998). All treatments (MLA, EP, and others, including
selection of species and planting method) are to be carried out according to the Guideline on Silvicultural
Treatment of logger-over forest in the FOMISS-Samling Pilot Area (Hahn-Schilling et. al., 1999). In the case
of areas affected by forest fires, reforestation is being carried out by the SFD with Samling providing logistic
support if required.
The Sarawak Forest Department has established a nursery in SFM Center, Kelesa with a capacity to
raise one million seedlings of indigenous species annually, for meeting the needs for reforestation and
enrichment planting.
8.2 Accomplishments in Post-harvest Silviculture
The accomplishment of the Company during the last 3 years, in post-harvest treatment is given in Table 6.
Table 6. Details of forest rehabilitation under multi-layer approach and reforestation (in hectares)
Year
Area treated under MLA
Area treated under Reforestation
2001
2002
2003
100 ha
101 ha
98 ha
911 ha
411 ha
1 123 ha
8.3 Forest Protection
Boundary demarcation and control is an important aspect of forest management, contributing to the
conservation and stability of the forest area. Boundaries of critical importance must be regularly monitored
and maintained through repeated demarcation at 5-year intervals. These include:
–
–
–
–
the external boundary of the FMU;
protection and conservation areas, as identified in the Forest Function Map;
all compartments, where harvesting operations are implemented;
all borders between existing shifting cultivation areas and natural forests.
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9.0 FOREST FIRE MANAGEMENT
Forest fire management is an important and integral part of forest protection. At least 7,600 ha (of which
about 3,200 ha production forest) were burnt during the 1998/99 EI-Nino phenomenon, leading to
subsequent stand degradation. The main strategy adopted in FMP is more on fire prevention and less on
fire fighting. The SFD assumes responsibility for dissemination of appropriate information to Samling and
the local communities, preparing them adequately for potential dry-season fire outbreaks, particularly in
monitoring critical and fire-prone areas within the FMU. Information on likely Hot Spots is obtained from
interpretation of NOAA Satellite imageries.
Waste management is employed to ensure proper disposal of all solid, liquid, organic and inorganic
wastes within the FMU (logging camps, log yards, workshops and the mobile skid-houses of logging crews)
through designation of proper disposal sites. Samling monitor all burning of wastes. Such measures help to
prevent fires.
10.0 WOOD UTILISATION
The various wood processing facilities of Samling Group are fed by logs from several timber concessions
under its management. Thus, the log flow from forests to the Samling mills goes beyond the production from
Selaan-Linau FMU.
The wood harvested from Selaan-Linau FMU is partly exported as logs and the rest utilized for
processing into plywood and other wood products.
Chain-of-Custody through a Log Inventory Control System (logging and recordings) is used to monitor
movement of logs to the mills and proper log-tagging system ensures that all logs produced can be traced
back to the stumps in the forest.
10.1 The Plywood Mill of SPB
The plywood factory of SPB near Miri has a production capacity of 126,000 m3 per year, requiring a log input
of 240,000 cum. The plywood production is targeted for global markets. Part of the plywood production will
be further processed into Ready-to-assemble (RTA) products within the Samling group.
Residual timber are being utilized in our production of MDF and doorskins and hence minimizing any
wastage.
11.0 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
The Selaan-Linau FMU is administered through an SFM Management Team under Samling Group.
The present employees in the Selaan-Linau FMU are as follows:
Forestry Professionals
: 3
Technical/Administrative/Mgt.
: 26
Skilled Workers
: 40
Unskilled workers
: 4
* Total
: 73
* Subject to change in line with extent of operations
12.0 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
The FMU strictly follow the rules and regulations as outlined in the Company’s Safety Practices Document.
Within the framework of this, all instructions are given in consideration of workers’ health and safety in
carrying out their daily activities. Special attention is paid to the Social Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable
Forest Management (Poschen, 2000).
In addition, training on directional tree felling and safety aspects are provided and supplemented by
annual performance checks of tree feller and tractor operators’ skills in RIL.
13.0 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION
An important socio-economic contribution of the FMU is the employment and income earning opportunities
provided to the local community, directly and indirectly. Contribution to the Government revenue in the form
of charges and levies is another major economic generated.
The logging infrastructure (main roads, forest roads, bridges and culverts) established by the company
benefits the forest dwelling communities (Penan, Kenyah and Kelabit) in the area. These help to bring
development to the forest hinderland community. Within the FMU, the community is allowed unhindered use
of all the Community-use area of about 14 607 ha and to go about collecting non-timber forest products.
The Sarawak Government, through its various departments and agencies, is providing various forms
of community services including agricultural extension centers, primary schools and clinics. As a measure
of goodwill, the company provides financial assistance for enhancing welfare of the communities and for
educational purposes. The company, wherever possible, has built access roads linking the longhouses to
the forest roads and provided transportation in cases of medical emergencies. The company also has
supplied equipment such as solar panels, generators, out-board engines and rice mills for the benefit of the
community.
13.1 Community Development Projects
The concept of community development in forestry is meant to integrate sustainable multiple-use forest
management i.e. a combination of forest conservation and production of forest products with improvement
in the livelihood of local people. According to the “help for self-help principle”, which is applied under this
FMP, local communities shall participate and be responsible for those functions and activities of
development measures that they can provide by their own means. Samling facilitate and participate in
sustained development projects by government agencies.
Currently certain projects approved by the Liaison Committee and being implemented include (i)
installation of gravity-fed water systems (ii) mini-hydro-power, fish pond and irrigated rice (iii) education and
training programmes, and (iv) community forestry.
The community development projects at Long Lellang, Long Main and Long Benalih were initiated in
line with the implementation of SFM. Despite variation in requirements between individual villages, the main
community development needs are of similar nature. The activities were conceptualized on basis of a needanalysis carried out in a pilot area among the local communities. Discussions were also held with officials
of the relevant government departments. The priority ranking of the economic activities needed by the
communities are:
Ist priority
2nd Priority
3rd Priority
:
:
:
Irrigated paddy fields; fish ponds.
Vegetable farming; livestock farming; handicraft production.
Community agroforestry projects
Besides the need to enhance rural livelihood, the company sees justification for its community
development programme (CDP) in the support it provides for forest sustainability within the context of
integrated forestry development. These include sustaining of the Permanent Forest Estate (PFE),
increasing productive area through forest rehabilitation, sustainability of watershed values and support of
wildlife conservation and national parks. The CDP provides an alternative and more secure economic
opportunity that can wean local communities away from shifting cultivation, thus, providing the surest way
of protecting the PFE from future encroachments.
The government-company-local community partnership in developing a more organized social
development program through which the company can participate in its implementation.
Two community Reforestation Projects of total 270 hectares are being implemented in collaboration
between Samling, SFD and the Kenyah communities of Long Semiyang and Long Tungan. Indigenous
species like Meranti, Kapur and Engkabang are being planted under these schemes.
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14.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRIBUTIONS
SFM results in environmental conservation and enhancing ecological integrity. The post-harvest silvicultural
operations in the FMU are designed to allow the forest to regenerate to its pre-harvest condition.
As noted earlier, 28 261 ha (about 28% of the area of the FMU) have been set apart and designated
as protection areas. Protection areas were established to conserve undisturbed samples of the forest
ecosystems and habitats availing in the FMU, including the various functions and diversity of all life forms
contained therein. These areas are being clearly demarcated in the field as, to be physically identifiable.
14.1 Wild Life Conservation
SFD has developed a long-term Master Plan for conservation and management of wildlife. The MPWS
(Master Plan for Wildlife in Sarawak) is implemented throughout the State. Three forest functions are
delineated: Core Protection Zone (CPZ) where no harvesting is permitted; Low-use Production Zone where
low-volume harvesting permitted; and Production Zone where harvesting is carried out. Limestone outcrops
and Montane forests are included in the CPZ. About 79% of the MDF are classified under PZ 10% and 11%
under CPZ.
Among the activities carried out in line with the Master Plan framework are wildlife surveys, educational
measures and enforcement of the regulations.
In wildlife protection areas, timber extraction is totally prohibited, but hunting by indigenous people is
still permitted according to existing laws on access to forest resources. However, several measures to
control hunting are adopted in the FMU. These include:
•
•
•
•
•
strictly controlled use of firearms in the protection areas;
all traps and snares are banned in protection and production areas;
all commercial sale of wildlife and wildlife products is banned;
abandoned feeder roads are closed to prevent vehicle entry; and
outsiders and employees of Samling are not allowed to hunt in the license areas.
The full co-operation of the SFC, communities and Samling staff is forged through a Liaison Committee
which assists in awareness raising campaigns and in monitoring hunting activities through educational
measures involving village committees and rural schools. The headmen and the camp managers are
appointed as Honorary Wildlife Rangers, to assist the Government in implementing the MPWS.
Other wildlife-oriented measures include: preservation of important fruit trees belonging to the
Moraceae (especially Ficus spp.) and Leguminosae families; prohibition of timber harvesting in of high
conservation value.
As part of the conservation-oriented activities, the company has accorded high priority for watershed
protection and bio-diversity importance. As complementary to conservation measures, eco-tourism sites
have been identified in the FMU, covering waterfalls, fast-flowing rivers, mountain ridges, scenic landscapes
and local settlements.
14.2 Mitigation of Environmental Impacts
Generally, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) identifies and assesses potentially negative effects
on the environment due to human interventions, and prescribe mitigation measures. An environmental
impact identification and mitigation system has been developed for the FMU, by taking into consideration
the “Forestry Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment” by Forest Research Institute of Malaysia
(FRIM) and “Guidelines on EIA” by Natural Resources Environmental Board (NREB) and is incorporated in
the Forest Management Plan.
15.0 RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
The management system adopted for the FMU, and by the Samling Group in general, is the Selective
Management System (SMS) with a bicyclic felling in 25 years. The system prescribes cutting limits on
presumption of adequate post-felling regeneration. Dipterocarp species are favoured over others with a
relatively higher cutting girth limit, thus ensuring their increased representation in stand composition over
the years. The system calls for regular upgrading/refinement for adjusting to the changing needs and
situation.
Samling actively cooperated in a project with the Forest Department and GTZ to formulate, through
research and implementation a comprehensive management system based on SFM principles for adoption
in Sarawak. Called the Forest Management Information System Sarawak (FOMISS), the project is
conducted in the FOMISS Samling Pilot Area (FSPA) in the FMU.
Samling partner the Sarawak Forest Department in maintaining permanent sample plots (PSPs) to
monitor response of residual stand to prescribed treatments and changes in soil and other ecological factors
following harvesting. A total of 76 growth and yield PSPs were established for growth data. Such data are
made available to the Forest Research Centre or forest growth specialists to re-assess growth performance
for the mid-term review, and to develop site-adapted growth functions for DIPSIM. The updated growth
functions can be used to refine the AAC, which constitutes a key factor in SFM.
16.0 INITIATIVES FOR OBTAINING CERTIFICATION
Samling’s initiatives for establishing SFM being recent, the company is making all efforts to translate the
sustainability concepts into operational practices, and to stabilize the field implementation. The company
aims to obtain forest management certification for the FMU within 2004.
17.0 GOVERNMENT CAPABILITY TO ENFORCE SFM
The government of Sarawak through Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) is known to have the capability
to enforce rules and regulations through appropriate collaboration with the private sector as well as by
invoking the penal provisions, when absolutely necessary for good forest management practices.
18.0 CONSTRAINTS
Difficulties of conflict management and resolution with local communities over land claims is a major
constraint. Shifting cultivation has resulted in degradation of forest. In allocating land use by functions in the
FMU, communities can be involved in developing projects to bring them the much needed economic
betterment for the future.
Most areas designated for Community use are under shifting cultivation rotations. The remaining areas
are mostly under successional secondary forest or temuda. Inter-community disputes over territorial claims
have often hampered forestry operations.
While the community development programmes will help to reduce the social tension and the tendency
for expanding shifting cultivation, more sources of funding and emphasis to meet socio-economic needs of
the local communities is critical to upgrade their livelihoods as to bring about their economic advancement.
Other limitations to the implementation of community development projects by the government are
logistics and drawing expertise to work in forest areas. The widely scattered and sparse population of the
communities make projects implementation to be difficult.
The SFM concept at least at its initial stage of adoption, appears too theoretical, and can only be
adopted in its application to achieve better forest management standards. There is general opinion that the
increased cost of production, and lower productivity due to restrictions of SFM, is not compensated with
better premium on prices. Areas identified for achieving SFM include more training for all categories of
employees.
Government agencies should take proactive measures and device incentives to spearhead SFM and
forest certification. Their emphasis to address social needs of the forest dwelling communities must be
heightened.
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19.0 SUCCESS CRITERIA
Selaan-Linau FMU is one which has initiated the process of SFM, and is firmly committed to the cause of
sustainable forestry and sustained economic development of the communities.
Accordingly, the company while working for forest certification is achieving SFM- related capacity
building, RIL compliance, forest rehabilitation, wildlife conservation, enhancement of watershed values,
increased involvement of communities and achieving of minimum acceptable standard in all aspects of
forest management.
The Samling Group, obtained ISO9001 certification for Quality Management Systems in year 1996 for
its Baram forest operations, the first of its kind in the world for tropical forests. The company is moving in
the right path towards success in SFM and forest certification.
TECHNOLOGICAL REFINEMENTS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT ARE CRUCIAL
FOR SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT:
THE CASE OF PT. SARI BUMI KUSUMA
LES PERFECTIONNEMENTS TECHNOLOGIQUES ET LE SOUTIEN APPORTÉ À LA COMMUNAUTÉ LOCALE SONT
D’IMPORTANCE CAPITALE POUR L’AMÉNAGEMENT FORESTIER DURABLE:
LE CAS DE LA PT SARI BUMI KUSUMA
EL DESARROLLO TECNOLÓGICO Y EL APOYO A LA COMUNIDAD LOCAL SON FACTORES CRUCIALES PARA LA
ORDENACIÓN FORESTAL SOSTENIBLE
EL CASO DE PT. SARI BUMI KUSUMA
N. Suparna
PT. Sari Bumi Kusuma
SUMMARY
PT. Sari Bumi Kusuma (SBK) is a privately operated logging concession under the Alas Kusuma Group, located some
460 km from Pontianak, in Central Kalimantan province of Indonesia. The company started its operation in 1978 when
the Selective Cutting and Enrichment Planting system (TPTI) was practiced. In 1998, under a renewed 70-year
agreement, the Selective Cutting and Strip Planting system (TPTJ) was also implemented. SBK’s 208,300 ha
concession of equatorial rainforest constitutes 148,939 ha for logging, 10,972 ha for replanting and 48,389 ha for
conservation.
TPTI has cutting diameter limits of 60 cm and 50 cm for limited production and normal production forest
respectively, a 35-year cutting cycle and an ACA, 1/35 of the effective forest area. Its annual cut averaged 48 cum/ha
with 8 trees/ha. The system was continued after 1998 for virgin forests while the TPTJ is practiced in areas logged over
20 years ago. In virgin forests the estimated yield is 55 cum/ha for trees >60 cm dbh.
TPTJ is basically a modification of TPTI, where valuable dipterocarp species are line-planted (25 m x 5 m) under
selective cutting and strip planting, over a 35-year cycle, with inter strip harvesting of all trees >45 cm dbh. The ACA is
similarly 1/35 of the effective logged-over area with planned annual cut of 40 cum/ha. This conservative cut should
enable progressive improvement in forest productivity. Research has indicated that such strip-planted trees will attain
harvestable size of 66 cm dbh within 35 years. In addition, matured trees growing between planting strips constitute a
bonus harvest. The total production is expected at 300 cum/ha (in contrast to the present 50 cum).
To ensure sustainability, the management is based on a system of management plans supported by rural
development diagnostic study. These constitute a 35-year Forest Management Plan with 5-yearly updates, Perspective
Plan, Environmental Management Plan and a one-year Operations Plan.
In pre-harvest operation, all harvestable trees are marked and measured to estimate yield. Nucleus trees, selected
as seed sources for future regeneration, are marked to ensure safety from harvesting damage.
Logging is mechanical with Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) procedures, such as directional felling, introduced in
stages. Logging operations are controlled by demarcating the work area into 100 ha compartments and ensuring work
completion before moving to fresh areas. Logs are measured by qualified scalers. The company also undertakes all
prescribed post-harvest operations to assist healthy growth of the residual stock.
SBK has also made substantial socioeconomic contributions. Its annual forest-related tax revenue over a 5-year
average (1995-2000) was Rps 35.7 billion. In addition, the company pays non-sectoral taxes including income tax. It
contributes substantially to local employment and income generation with ~64% of workers locally recruited. To enhance
community welfare, the company in its social obligation has, among others, liberally invested in infrastructure
development, local skill and education development and improvement of agricultural practices. SBK has a long tradition
of supporting local communities in improving their livelihood and living conditions. On average the company contributes
Rps 2.97 billion per year on social welfare and development.The company places high values on environmental
conservation and Research and Development (R&D) and these have figured importantly in company activities. Practical
field-oriented research was initiated as early as the first logging with focus on aspects closely linked to forest operations.
These have included growth and yield studies, waste-free logging/RIL, nursery practices (e.g. shade control in adaptive
chambers) and progeny trials.
Growth and yield monitoring of Shorea leprosula, S. hopeifolia, S. laevifolia, S. johorensis, S. fallax, Dipterocarpus
spp, Litsea firma, Scorodocarpus borneensis among others, have produced useful results. The company has also
actively collaborated in research with the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) and the universities.
SBK is also working towards achieving timber (and forest management) certification by initiating a preliminary
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assessment through an agreement with the Smartwood Programme of the Rain Forest Alliance. While appreciating the
intrinsic merits of certification, the company is of the view that some of the C&I are difficult to implement due to present
constraints such as boundary conflicts, illegal logging activities, availability of low-priced illegal logs and overlapping
laws. “Legal labelling”, more so than ecolabelling, should be crucial to attaining forest sustainability in order to reduce
the disproportionately huge volume of illegal timber. There is also a need to further rationalize and simplify the principles
and steps involved in certifying forest management units.
There are several factors that have enabled SBK to achieve some measures of success in Sustainable Forest
Management (SFM): These include, increased productivity through enhanced technology, healthy condition of forest and
growing stock, good forest management planning (including harvesting plans) and implementation, reduced logging
wastage, friendly relationship with local community and emphasis on their welfare programmes, commitment to R&D
and environmental conservation and compliance to rules and regulations.
RESUME
PT. Sari Bumi Kusuma (SBK), une concession d’exploitation forestière privée faisant partie du groupe Alas Kusuma, est
située à 460 km de Pontianak, dans la province centrale du Kalimantan (Indonésie). L’entreprise a lancé son exploitation
en 1978 à l’époque où le système de coupes sélectives et plantations d’enrichissement (TPTI) était appliqué. En 1998,
aux termes d’un renouvellement de l’accord pour 70 ans, le système de coupes sélectives et plantations en bandes
(TPTJ) a également été mis en oeuvre. La concession SBK de 208.300 ha de forêt ombrophile équatoriale se compose
de 148.939 ha affectés à l’exploitation forestière, 10.972 ha à la replantation et 48.389 ha à la conservation.
Le système TPTI prévoit des limites de diamètre d’abattage de 60 cm et 50 cm respectivement pour une production
limitée et une production normale de la forêt, une rotation de 35 ans et une superficie de coupe annuelle de 1/35 de la
superficie effective de la forêt. Sa coupe annuelle est en moyenne de 48 cm3/ha et 8 arbres/ha. Ce système a continué
d’être appliqué après 1998 dans les forêts vierges tandis que le système TPTJ est pratiqué dans les secteurs parcourus
en coupe il y a 20 ans. Dans les forêts vierges, le rendement est estimé à 55 cm3/ha en arbres de diamètre à hauteur
d’homme (d) >60 cm.
TPTJ est essentiellement une modification de TPTI, où des espèces de diptérocarpacées de valeur sont plantées
en layons (25 m x 5 m) sous coupe sélective et plantation en bandes, selon un cycle de 35 ans, avec prélèvements
entre les bandes de tous les arbres de d>45 cm. De même, la superficie de coupe annuelle est de 1/35 de la superficie
effective parcourue en coupe, la coupe annuelle prévue étant de 40 cm3/ha. Ces abattages conservateurs devraient
permettre d’améliorer progressivement la productivité de la forêt. Les recherches ont indiqué que les arbres ainsi
plantés en bandes atteindront en 35 ans la dimension récoltable de 66 cm de d. En outre, les arbres matures qui se
développent entre les bandes présentent l’avantage d’une récolte supplémentaire. Il est prévu que la production totale
atteindra 300 cm3/ha (au lieu de 50 cm3 actuellement).
Afin de garantir la durabilité, l’aménagement est fondé sur un système des plans de gestion soutenus par étude
diagnostique du développement rural. Ces plans comprennent un Plan de gestion forestière mis à jour tous les 5 ans,
un Plan prospectif, un Plan de gestion environnementale et un Plan des opérations d’une année.
Durant les opérations préalables à la récolte, tous les arbres récoltables sont marqués et mesurés pour en estimer
le rendement. Les arbres sélectionnés en tant que sources de graines pour la future régénération sont marqués afin de
les protéger contre tous dégâts lors des abattages.
Les coupes sont mécanisées et les techniques d’exploitation à faible impact (EFI), telles que l’abattage dirigé, sont
introduites progressivement. Les opérations d’abattage sont gérées en délimitant les zones de travail en parcelles de
100 ha et en achevant tous les travaux avant de se passer à la zone suivante. Les grumes sont mesurées par des
spécialistes. L’entreprise entreprend également toutes les opérations après la récolte prescrites pour stimuler une
croissance saine des peuplements résiduels.
SBK a également apporté une contribution socio-économique non négligeable. Les recettes fiscales produites
annuellement sur une période cinq ans (1995-2000) ont atteint en moyenne RPS 35,7 milliards. En outre, l’entreprise
paye des impôts non sectoriels, y compris des impôts sur le revenu. Elle contribue de manière sensible à l’emploi et à
la formation de revenus pour ~64% d’ouvriers recrutés localement. Pour rehausser le bien-être de la communauté,
l’entreprise s’acquitte de ses obligations sociales et a, entre autres, libéralement investi dans le développement
d’infrastructures, le développement des aptitudes et de la formation au niveau local, et l’amélioration des pratiques
agricoles. SBK a, de longue date, soutenu les communautés locales en améliorant leurs moyens de subsistance et leurs
conditions de vie. La contribution de l’entreprise au bien-être social et au développement se monte en moyenne à RPS
2,97 milliards par an. L’entreprise accorde une grande valeur à la conservation de l’environnement et à la recherchedéveloppement (R&D), lesquelles ont une place primordiale dans les activités de l’entreprise. La recherche pratique au
niveau du terrain a été entreprise dès le début de l’exploitation forestière en se focalisant sur des aspects étroitement
liés aux opérations forestières. Elle consistait en études sur l’accroissement et les rendements, l’EFI/coupes sans
gaspillage, les pratiques en pépinière (par ex. aménagement de l’ombre dans les chambres d’adaptation) et des tests
de descendance. Le suivi de l’accroissement et des rendements de Shorea leprosula, S. hopeifolia, S. laevifolia, S.
johorensis, S. fallax, espèces de diptérocarpacées, Litsea firma, Scorodocarpus borneensis, entre autres, ont produit
des résultats utiles. L’entreprise a aussi activement collaboré à la recherche avec l’Organisation internationale des bois
tropicaux (OIBT) et des universités.
SBK cherche également à obtenir la certification des bois (et de la gestion forestière) et, à cet effet, a mis en train
une évaluation préliminaire grâce à un accord passé avec le Programme Smartwood de la Tropical Forest Alliance. Bien
qu’appréciant les mérites intrinsèques de la certification, l’entreprise est d’avis qu’une partie des C&I est difficile à
mettre en application à cause des contraintes actuelles comme celles qui se rapportent à des conflits de démarcation,
aux activités d’exploitation forestière illégale, à la disponibilité des grumes illégales à bas prix et au chevauchement des
lois. Un label de “légalité”, plus que l’éco-étiquetage, devrait être crucial pour réaliser la durabilité des forêts en
permettant de réduire le volume disproportionnée de bois illégal. Il est nécessaire également de rationaliser et simplifier
davantage les principes et les étapes que suppose la certification des unités de gestion forestière.
Plusieurs facteurs ont permis à SBK de réaliser un certain succès en matière d’aménagement forestier durable
(AFD): augmentation de la productivité grâce à une technologie améliorée, forêts et matériel sur pied en bonne santé,
bonnes planification et exécution de la gestion forestière (y compris plans de récolte), moins de gaspillage, bons
rapports avec la communauté locale et importance donnée aux programmes sociaux la concernant, attachement à la
R&D et à la conservation environnementale, et respect des règles et des règlements.
RESUMEN
PT. Sari Bumi Kusuma (SBK) es una concesión maderera privada administrada por el Grupo Alas Kusuma y situada a
unos 460 km de Pontianak, en la provincia indonesia de Kalimantan Central. La empresa inició sus operaciones en
1978, cuando se practicaba el sistema de corta selectiva y plantaciones de enriquecimiento (TPTI). En 1998, conforme
a un nuevo acuerdo de 70 años, se comenzó a aplicar también el sistema de corta selectiva y plantaciones en fajas
(TPTJ). La concesión de selva ecuatorial de 208.300 perteneciente a SBK comprende 148.939 ha para la extracción
de madera, 10.972 ha para la reforestación y 48.389 ha para la conservación.
El sistema TPTI tiene diámetros máximos de corta de 60 cm y 50 cm para los bosques de producción limitada y
producción normal respectivamente, con un ciclo de corta de 35 años y un área de corta anual (ACA) de 1/35 de la
superficie efectiva del bosque. El volumen de corta anual medio es de 48 m3/ha con 8 árboles por hectárea. Este
sistema se siguió aplicando en los bosques vírgenes después de 1998, mientras que el sistema TPTJ se practica en
las zonas intervenidas desde hace más de 20 años. En los bosques vírgenes, el rendimiento estimado es de 55 m3/ha
para árboles con DAP >60 cm.
El sistema TPTJ es básicamente una modificación del TPTI, en el cual las especies dipterocarpáceas valiosas se
plantan en líneas (25 m x 5 m) con talas selectivas y plantaciones en fajas durante un ciclo de 35 años y con la
extracción de todos los árboles con DAP >45 cm entre las fajas plantadas. El ACA es también de 1/35 de la superficie
efectiva de la zona intervenida con cortas anuales programadas de 40 m3/ha. Este tipo de corta moderada permite el
mejoramiento progresivo de la productividad forestal. Las investigaciones realizadas han indicado que los árboles
plantados en fajas pueden alcanzar tamaños aprovechables de 66 cm de DAP en un período de 35 años. Además, los
árboles maduros que crecen entre las fajas plantadas constituyen una cosecha suplementaria. La producción total
prevista es de 300 m3/ha (en contraste con el nivel actual de 50 m3).
A fin de asegurar la sustentabilidad, el proceso de ordenación se basa en un sistema de planes de manejo
respaldados por un diagnóstico del desarrollo rural. Estos planes incluyen un plan de manejo forestal de 35 años con
actualizaciones cada cinco años, un plan prospectivo, un plan de gestión ambiental y un plan operativo anual.
En las operaciones previas al aprovechamiento, todos los árboles explotables se marcan y miden para calcular el
rendimiento. Los árboles núcleo, seleccionados como fuentes semilleras para la regeneración futura del bosque, se
marcan también para protegerlos contra daños durante las operaciones de extracción.
La extracción se realiza de forma mecánica utilizando técnicas de impacto reducido (EIR), tales como la tala
dirigida, introducidas por etapas. Las operaciones de extracción se controlan dividiendo el área de trabajo en
compartimientos de 100 ha y asegurando la finalización de las operaciones antes de pasar a nuevas áreas. La
cubicación de las trozas es llevada a cabo por cubicadores profesionales. La empresa realiza también todas las
operaciones prescritas para después de la corta a fin de estimular el crecimiento sano de la masa forestal residual.
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SBK ha efectuado también importantes contribuciones en el plano socioeconómico. Sus impuestos forestales
anuales en un período de cinco años (1995-2000) promedian un nivel de 35,7 miles de millones de rupias. Además, la
empresa paga impuestos no sectoriales como el impuesto a las ganancias. Por otra parte, contribuye
considerablemente a la generación de empleo e ingresos a nivel local, ya que el 64% de sus obreros son locales. Para
mejorar el bienestar de la comunidad, la empresa ha realizado, entre otras cosas, generosas inversiones en el
desarrollo de infraestructura, capacitación y educación y el mejoramiento de prácticas agrícolas. SBK tiene una larga
tradición de apoyo a las comunidades locales, mejorando sus medios de sustento y su nivel de vida. En término medio,
la empresa contribuye con 2,97 mil millones de rupias al año para el bienestar y desarrollo social.
La conservación del medio ambiente y las actividades de investigación y desarrollo (I&D) son prioridades para la
empresa y han ocupado un lugar importante en sus operaciones. La investigación aplicada se inició con la primera
explotación, concentrándose en los aspectos estrechamente ligados a las operaciones forestales. Estos trabajos
incluyeron estudios de crecimiento y rendimiento, extracción libre de desechos /EIR, prácticas de vivero (p.ej. control
de sombra en cámaras adaptables) y ensayos de progenie. Los estudios de crecimiento y rendimiento de Shorea
leprosula, S. hopeifolia, S. laevifolia, S. johorensis, S. fallax, Dipterocarpus spp., Litsea firma y Scorodocarpus
borneensis, entre otras especies, han producido resultados muy útiles. La empresa ha colaborado también activamente
en otros trabajos de investigación con la Organización Internacional de las Maderas Tropicales (OIMT) y las
universidades.
SBK está trabajando también para lograr la certificación de sus maderas (y de su manejo forestal) iniciando una
evaluación preliminar mediante un acuerdo con el Programa Smartwood de la Rainforest Alliance. Si bien reconoce las
ventajas intrínsecas de la certificación, la empresa considera que algunos de los C&I son difíciles de aplicar debido a
las limitaciones existentes, tales como conflictos limítrofes, actividades de extracción ilegal, disponibilidad de trozas de
bajo costo producidas ilegalmente y la superposición de leyes. Sería crucial contar con un sello de “legalidad”, más que
el etiquetado ecológico, para lograr la sustentabilidad forestal a fin de reducir el desproporcionado volumen de madera
ilegal producido. Existe también la necesidad de racionalizar y simplificar aún más los principios y procedimientos para
certificar las unidades de ordenación forestal.
Diversos factores han permitido a SBK lograr un cierto grado de éxito en materia de ordenación forestal sostenible
(OFS): una mayor productividad gracias al uso de una mejor tecnología, el excelente estado fitosanitario del bosque y
las existencias en pie, una buena planificación del manejo forestal (inclusive planes de aprovechamiento) y su
ejecución, un nivel reducido de desechos de la explotación, relaciones amistosas con la comunidad local y atención a
los programas sociales orientados a su bienestar, compromiso con la investigación y el desarrollo y la conservación del
medio ambiente, y cumplimiento de normas y reglamentos.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
PT Sari Bumi Kusuma (PT SBK) is a logging company, of the Alas Kusuma Group, holding forest concession
in Central and West Kalimantan, producing mixed tropical hardwoods for processing in plants owned by the
company /group, in Pontianak. They manufacture plywood, block board and other wood products.
In 1978, PT. SBK received a 270,000 ha concession for a duration of 20 years from the government,
located in the two regencies of Kotawaringin Timur and Kotawaringin Barat of Central Kalimantan. This
concession license was based on the then mandatory Selective Cutting and Enrichment Planting (TPTI)
system. In 1998, PT SBK obtained a new (renewed) license for a period of 70 years (1998-2068) with a
forest concession on 208,300 ha, under The Selective Cutting and Strip Planting (TPTJ) system.
The concession areas are located in the western part of Central Kalimantan, adjoining the eastern
boundary of West Kalimantan, about 450 km to the east, from Pontianak.
2.0
THE CONCESSION
2.1 Original Concession
As already noted, the first concession agreement signed between the GOI and PT. SBK covered a period
of 20 years, 1978-1998, under The TPTI system, and 35 years cutting cycle.
Out of the total concession area of 270,000 ha, the unused virgin forest area at the end of the first forest
concession amounted to 103,262 ha. The percentage of the unused virgin forest is less than 20/35 to the
total area, because not all of the original concession was forested, and also there was a differentration
between the original map of the concession and the field.
2.2 Renewed Concession
The government issued the Renewed Concession Approval of PT SBK on February 27th 1998
Conditions Under the Renewed Agreement
Most conditions of the first concession agreement remain valid in the renewed/revised concession
agreement, salient changes are the following:
• Introduction of a new silvicultural system, selective cutting and strip planting (TPTJ). The
system, requires the company to practice planting in strips. As an industrial plantation
concession (HPHTI), the renewed 70 years period will involve a first cycle of felling and planting
of 35 years and then SBK is granted an additional 35 years to harvest those trees planted
during the first cycle.
• Social responsibility:
- Improve community welfare (education, health, rural development, enterprise
development).
- 5 % of wood production has to be supplied for local/domestic small scale processing units.
- Promote/develop worker cooperatives and/or village cooperatives and give opportunity to
the cooperatives to have equity participation.
• Environment responsibility:
- All bare lands/ unproductive lands are to be planted at a minimum rate of 300 ha/year; the
work should be completed in 10 years, after the renewed concession becomes effective.
- Wastages and inefficiencies to be avoided in all activities.
- The company should avoid all negative impacts of logging activity by conducting regular
environmental analysis and compliance reporting.
- Prevent illegal activities and destructive factors, such as shifting cultivation, encroachment
and erosion.
- Invest in forest rehabilitation and improvement, both in logged over forests and in
unproductive lands.
- Conserve/protect flora and fauna and bio-diversity.
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3.0 THE FOREST RESOURCES
SBK ‘s second concession of 208,300 ha, is located in two blocks:
• Seruyan Block, with a total area of about 147,600 ha, located in the Seruyan Hulu Sub-District
(Kecamatan), Kotawaringin Timur District (Kabupaten) of Central Kalimantan;
• Delang Block, with a total area of about 60,700 ha, located in the Lamandau and Delang SubDistrics, Kotawaringin Barat District, Central Kalimantan.
There have been changes in the extent of concession area, resulting from adjustments for past
operations and new proposals on land use. The concession area can broadly be classified as limited
production forest (189,863 ha) and production forest (18,437 ha).
The total effective forest area available under the new agreement is 148,939 ha and the annual area
available for cutting is 4,255 ha of which 3,405 ha is in Block Seruyan and 850 ha in Delang Block.
3.1 Locality Factors
Climate of the PT SBK concession area is wet tropical, with an average rainfall of 2,835 mm per year.
Highest monthly rainfall is experienced in November and lowest in July. Dominant soil types are Podsol,
Kambisol and Hoksisol with underlying strata of granitic rocks.
Elevation of the concession forest varies between 100 and 1,552 m above sea level. 11% of the area
falls above 500 m of elevation. Topography is pronounced with about 70% of the concession area having
slopes of above 15%. The concession forest, mostly being located above 200 m of elevation, covers most
of the upstream part of the basin of Sungai Samba, which stretches over 300 km to the south, in Central
Kalimantan.
3.2. Forest Types
The concession forests are generally categorized under Tropical Rain Forest and are variously called the
lowland and mountain forests and Kalimantan Dipterocarp forest. These forests are among the most
species-rich in the world. These forests are dominated by Dipterocarps.
Meranti (Shorea spp), Melapi (Terictia spp), Kapur (Dryobalanops spp), Bengkirai (Shorea laevifolia),
Keruing (Dipterocarpus spp), and Mersawa (Anisoptera spp) are the major commercial species.
3.3. Crop Condition
The crop condition (stock of trees above 20 cm diameter) in the virgin and logged over forests, towards the
end of the first concession period, are given in Tables 1 and 2.
Table 1. Crop condition in virgin forest towards the end of the first SBK concession (Intensity of sampling 1 %)
Diameter Class
Species
20 - 49 Cm
50 – 59 Cm
60 cm up
N (tree)
V (cum)
N (tree)
V (cum)
N (tree)
V (cum)
I. Commercial
Dipterocarpaceae
- Floater
- Sinker
20.42
9.16
17.58
6.50
5.18
2.57
12.13
5.93
7.37
1.58
53.23
11.33
Sub Total
29.58
24.08
7.75
18.06
8.95
64.56
Non-Dipterocarpaceae
Floater
Sinker
14.39
3.60
11.84
2.60
3.94
1.32
8.13
2.71
1.14
0.12
6.10
0.56
Sub Total
17.99
14.44
5.26
10.84
1.26
6.66
Total I
47.57
38.52
13.01
28.90
10.21
71.22
7.78
5.18
6.06
3.56
2.06
1.37
4.33
2.89
0.97
0.83
5.13
3.90
Total II
12.96
9.62
3.43
7.22
1.80
9.03
Total I + II
60.53
48.14
16.44
36.12
12.01
80.25
II. Non-Commercial
Floater
Sinker
N: Number V: Volume
Table 2. Crop condition in logged-over forest towards the end of the first SBK concession
Diameter Class
Species
20 - 49 Cm
N (tree)
V (cum)
50 – 59 Cm
N (tree)
V (cum)
60 cm up
N (tree)
A. Meranti Group
B. Mix Species
C. Fancy Woods
1.90
4.91
0.33
0.88
2.06
0.13
3.07
5.25
0.50
2.79
4.17
0.38
9.38
7.17
0.83
Total
7.14
3.07
8.82
7.34
17.38
V (cum)
38.90
24.97
2.88
N: Number V: Volume
Even though it is difficult to draw conclusions from these Tables, they give a vague indication that
regular (non-RIL) logging may have affected the stock of the lower diameter classes.
4.0
FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING
4.1 Mandated Planning Documents
The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry has legally mandated that certain planning documents are to be
prepared and kept up to date by the company. They are:
RKPH
RKL
-
Rencana Karya Pengusahaan Hutan (Long Term Forest Perspective Management Plan)
Recana Karya Lima Tahun (Five-Year Working Plan). But for the TPTJ system, the RKL
doesn’t be mandated
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140
RKT
AMDAL
RKL
RPL
PMDH
-
Rencana Karya Tahunan (One Year Working Plan)
Analisis Dampak Lingkungan (Environmental Impact Analysis)
Rencana Pengelolaa Lingkungan (Environmental Management)
Rencana Pemantauan Lingkungan (Environmental Monitoring)
Diagnostik Studi Pembinaan Masyarakat Desa Hutan (Rural Development Diagnostic
Study)
Forest and timber inventories are undertaken at intensities of 1% at the time of the preparation of the
long-term plan and 100% for the 1-year plan.
Long Term Management Plan is to be submitted to MoF for approval, along with the recommendation
of the Head of Provincial Forestry Office (PP 34/2002). One Year Plan is approved by Head of Provincial
Forestry Office.
4.2 The 35 Year Long Term Plan
The 35-year plan essentially serves as a guideline and provides the framework for formulating the detailed
one-year working plan. The contents of the 35 Years Long Term-Plan include: Company background and
goals of management; History and highlights of PT. SBK’s concession forest management; General
information about the concession (bio-physical information; environmental information); Silvicultural
system(s) in use and their special characteristics; Prospect of forestry business under systems of SFM;
Forest management planning in the long term; Planning of income and expenditure; Planning of contribution
to regional development.
The 35 year long term plan is to be accompanied by a number of supporting documentation and maps,
as attachments.
4.3 One Year Working Plan
The one-year plan or RKT is the real basis for action and individual activities involved. The contents of RKT
include: general and background information about the company and concession; accomplishments during
the previous one year plan, compared to targets set; and detailed operational plans for implementing all
component activities including target setting, activity scheduling, monitoring and assessment.
Detailed planning is done for: working area arrangement; pre-harvest inventory; road construction;
harvest scheduling; tree felling; bucking, skidding, hauling; post harvest inventory; thinning operations;
nursery development and seedling procurement; preparing strips for planting; planting operations and
maintenance of plants; forest protection and security; manpower development and improvement of technical
skills; equipment procurement; wood utilization; research and trials; management and conservation of
environment; village development activities; maintenance of boundary marks; planting along road sides;
planting in bare lands; institutional aspects including investment/income/ expenditure.
Several attachments, providing details relating to the activities, form part of the One Year Plans.
For determining AAC, the effective area of concession is delineated excluding buffer zones of protected
forest, slopes of 40% and above, river and stream margins, biodiversity plots and seed stand plots,
permanent sample plots; areas covered by infrastructure, and non-effective and dispersed areas. Productive
and effective forest area is divided by 35 (35-year cutting cycle) to get AAC. The volume of felling is
determined by the forest potential (pre-harvesting inventory), which could change from year to year. The
annual logging area is designated as a Block. Annual block is divided into compartments (of about 100 ha).
AAC of PT. SBK is based on an annual logging block of 4,255 Ha.
4.4 Annual Allowable Cut
PT. SBK has calculated its AAC based on the fact that it applies the two standard Indonesian silvicultural
prescriptions for natural forests – TPTI (Selective Cutting and Enrichment Planting System) and TPTJ
(Selective Felling and Strip Planting System). The cut calculations in the long-term management plan (20/35
years) are based on a 1% forest inventory of the FMU, as required by Indonesian regulations. Annual
Operating Plans are based on 100% operational timber cruises of harvest compartments.
Table 3. Area delineation of forest concession of PT SBK (Hectares)
Details
Seruyan
Block
Delang
Block
Total
Effective Forested Area
Limited Production Forest
Production Forest
Sub-Total
107,011
12,168
119,179
28,126
1,634
29,760
135,137
13,802
148,939
5,241
189
5,430
5,182
360
5,542
10,423
549
10,972
Production Forest
Subtotal
21,901
1,090
22,991
22,402
2.996
25,398
44,303
4,086
48,389
Grand Total
147,600
60,700
208.300
Available for Replanting
Production Forest
Sub-Total
Non Available Area
Until 1998, only the TPTI was implemented. The cutting cycle was 35 years, and hence the annual work
area was the total effective forest area divided by 35. Also, the AAC over the whole concession was based
on the prescriptions of the TPTI, i.e. that all commercial trees over 50 cm DBH could be harvested, min 25
trees (DBH 20 cm & up) left standing as “pohon inti”15. Since 1980, on average, the planned and actual
annual cuts amounted to about 48 cum/ha, with approximately 8 trees/ha/year.
Since 1998, PT. SBK has been implementing TPTI in its virgin forest areas and TPTJ in its logged over
areas. The work areas are calculated separately. In the virgin forest, PT SBK calculates its work area based
on the remaining harvestable area and plans to harvest all trees above 60 DBH with a yield of 55 cum/ha.
In the Logged Over Area (LOA), PT. SBK applies the TPTJ. The TPTJ prescriptions include clear-cutting
and enrichment planting in strips, with a 35 year cutting cycle, and the harvesting of all commercial trees
over 40 cm DBH in between strips. PT. SBK has introduced some modifications in the mandatory TPTJ
prescriptions, based on its own observations and trials on planted Dipterocarps and their growth, and has
secured the authorization of the MoF for the modifications.
Unlike in the TPTI, the TPTJ authorizes PT SBK to work in areas that have been logged over 20 years
ago (instead of 35 years). The planned annual cut in the TPTJ area is 40 cum/ha, a rather conservative
figure based on past harvests, rather than on optimistic projections about the growth of planted trees under
TPTJ, based on data from experimental plots.
5.0 SYSTEM OF MANAGEMENT
Logging systems being adopted to manage the forest under the renewed concession agreement include the
TPTI in virgin forest areas and the TPTJ in previously cut over forest areas.
During the first concession period, the system adopted by PT SBK was selective cutting and
(enrichment) planting or TPTI. Under TPTI, if there is sufficient regeneration in logged over area, there is no
need for planting, and future growth is left to nature. Studies/observations by PT SBK has shown that under
TPTI the space available for planting is limited and only 2.3% of the planted seedlings receive conditions
suitable for good growth, due to congestion. The idea of clearing strips for planting was originated to
overcome this deficiency of TPTI, so that planted seedlings can be nurtured properly.
15
- Pohon inti : The tree that will be harvested in the next cycle (mother tree?)
- There is no limitation about the seed trees that we have to leave. It depends on the amount of the seed needed.
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5.1 Selective Cutting and Enrichment Planting System (TPTI)
Inventories, one year after logging, during 1984/85 to 1997/98 showed that: logging resulted in insufficient
regeneration over 2.06% of the logged over are, requiring enrichment planting. Post-harvest inventory also
indicated that one year after logging, the logged-over area carried on an average 32.85 trees of diameter
20cm and above with a volume of 47.65 cum per ha, along with 102 poles (diameter 10cm to 20cm), 418
saplings (diameter less than 10cm) and 2,650 seedlings (Table 4).
Table 4. PT. SBK concession: Results of inventories one year after logging
Trees of diam.20 cm
up
Cutting
Year
Area (ha) Trees/ha
Cum/ha
Insufficient young
trees (enrichment
needed)
Opened area (ha)
Permanent
(ha)
%
Temporary
(planting
needed) (ha)
%
(ha)
(%)
84/85
85/86
86/87
87/88
88/89
89/90
90/91
91/92
92/93
93/94
94/95
95/96
96/97
97/98
4,250
4,300
3,600
2,600
2,800
5,000
4,300
4,300
3,125
4,150
4,125
3,950
4,290
3,984
30.95
25.75
25.19
26.92
26.22
26.22
25.22
25.35
25.04
31.98
28.34
46.54
60.06
56.06
64.81
41.93
47.48
62.55
50.69
50.69
48.08
49.81
29.62
61.75
34.98
36.53
48.37
39.84
103.13
183.08
114.92
67.60
78.40
131.13
157.76
130.13
109.28
218.18
254.70
302.35
562.66
212.80
2.42
4.25
3.19
2.60
2.80
2.62
3.66
3.02
3.49
5.25
6.17
7.65
13.12
5.34
136.01
133.94
104.11
89.70
115.32
255.63
215.00
250.90
261.66
346.04
148.83
168.24
171.17
184.00
3.20
3.11
2.89
3.45
4.12
5.11
5.00
5.83
8.34
3.34
3.61
4.26
3.99
4.62
105.84
118.85
82.24
87.36
66.43
140.44
109.22
124.08
79.06
104.99
7.76
27.55
35.67
40.30
2.49
2.76
2.28
3.36
2.37
2.81
2.54
2.89
2.53
2.53
0.19
0.70
0.83
1.01
Total
54,774
459.84
667.13
2,626,12
65,58
2,580.60
60.87
1,129.79
29.29
Average
3,912
32.85
47.65
187.58
4.79
184.33
4.71
80.70
2.06
5.2 Selective Cutting and Strip Planting System (TPTJ)
TPTJ is a modification of TPTI, where seedlings are planted in line, spaced 25 m apart, and at 5 m spacing
along the line. The seedlings planted in line are provided sufficient light by clearing the strip to a width of 3
m. Strips are prepared by removing all growth and stumps, and a line is staked in the middle of the strip,
with stakes 5 m apart for planting seedlings. Main species planted are Shorea leprosula, other Shoreas,
Dipterocarpus spp., Hopea Spp, and Peronema canescens. The planted strips are looked after and nurtured
like any other plantations.
Natural growth in the interspace of 22 m between strips are retained and managed for selection cutting,
also in a 35-year cycle.
Box 1. TPTJ prescriptions and changes adopted by PT. SBK
Criteria
Distance between planting lines
Govt. Prescriptions
SBK modified system
25 m
25 m
Distance between trees on planting line
5m
5m
Width of clear-cut planting strip
3m
Partially cleared strip on either side of clear-cut strip to 3.5 m wide on both sides of each clear-cut
reduce shading (all trees above 30 cm DBH are to be cut)
strips
Width of area in-between strips
Minimal DBH of trees to be harvested in the area in-between
strips
15m
0
3m
None
22m
45 cm
The TPTJ prescriptions of the MoF provided for additional width of partly cleared strips of 3.5 m strip
on both sides of the cleared (planting) strip – making the total strip width to be 10 m, and giving only 15 m
of interspace for natural forest. The modification, of comparatively smaller openings for strips and a higher
minimum DBH of trees to be harvested in the interspace forest, made by PT SBK has been approved by the
MoF.
The advantages of TPTJ are these:
• Increased productivity per unit area due to intensive management of planted strips,
supplemented by additional growing stock in the natural forests in between strips.
• Under TPTJ, the diameter limit of cutting (45 cm diameter) is lower than that under TPTI (60 cm
diameter), in view of the increased overall growing stock through strip planting; and, that allows
larger number of trees to be cut. This in turn allows the remaining stock to grow faster and
better, due to reduced conjestion.
• Re-logging, in the logged over area in TPTI, only can be done 35 years after the cut, while in
TPTJ, re-logging can be done before 35 years. Of course, not all logged over areas can be relogged; it depends on the condition of the forest.
• TPTJ is ideal for managing the logged-over forests where production and protection functions
are merged, particularly since natural conditions are retained by the existence 22 m wide
natural forest between strip lines spaced 25m apart.
• Due to higher productivity and intensive nature of management activities, the system helps to
employ larger number (almost double) of workers.
• Forest managed under TPTJ, is considered a man-made forest, and it dissuades the local
people form doing shifting cultivation as adat doesn’t allow cultivation in a man made forests.
Some of the disadvantages of TPTJ are the following:
•
•
Environmental interferences are likely to be higher under TPTJ, because of the more intensive
nature of the operations. With proper measures to protect the soil in strips and fire protection, this
problem can be contained.
Higher cost per unit area. This cost factor can be counterbalanced by increased productivity such
that cost per unit output (per cum of logs) will be lower than before.
Scheduling of Activities
Because of the differences in the nature of activities, there are also small differences in the scheduling of
activities of TPTI and TPTJ (Table 5).
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144
Table 5. Timing/Scheduling of important activities under TPTI and TPTJ
Activity
Aerial photography
Working area arrangement
Pre-harvest inventory/cruising
Road construction
Seed procurement/ nursery
Preparing strips
Harvesting
Planting in strips
Maintenance of planted strips
Post-Harvest Operations
Cleaning Operations
Post Harvest Inventory
Pruning, Liberation thinning
Seed procurement/nursery
Enrichment planting
Maintenance of enrichment planting
Thinning
Pruning
Forest protection
Research
TPTI
TPTJ
T-3
T-3
T-2
T-1
T
T+1
T+2
T+10,15,20
Continuous
Continuous
T-2
T-2
T-2
T-1
T-1
T
T
T
T+1, 2,3 ,4,5
T+2
T+2
T+2
T+3
T+3,4,5
T+6
T+10,15,20
Continuous
Continuous
T: Year of Harvest
During the period 1999-2001 (up to December 2001) the company maintained a total area of 1,580 ha
of seed stand/source; raised 1,580,000 seedlings in nursery; undertook land preparation including
alignment of planting rows over a gross area of 9,900 ha for treating under TPTJ system; and some 10,500
ha were strip planted and maintained. About ? million seedlings, over 6 months old, are used for planting.
It may be noted that no exotic species are used for strip planting under TPTJ. Two-year-old plants of Shorea
Spp in the strips have, on an average, measured diameter growth of 2.44 cm/year and height growth of 1.92
m per year.
5.3 Estimation of Volume Yield
PT SBK has estimated potential yield per hectare at 35 years for TPTJ areas, using assumptions based on
available information and observations:
Estimated yield per hectare from planted strips:
267 cum
[Assumptions: 80 trees/ha; average diameter 66 cm in 35 years; average utilizable bole length
17 meters in 35 years; volume per tree 5.8 cum. Reduction factor applied:0.9 for area
difference; 0.8 for defects in harvestable trees and 0.8 for utilisation wastages.]
Estimated Yield for hectare from natural forests between strips:
72 cum
[Assumptions: 25 trees harvestable per ha; diameter 45 cm and above; utilizable bole length
18 meters; volume per tree 6.3 cm. Reduction factor applied: 0.8 for area difference; 0.8 for
difference in number of harvestable trees and defects; 0.9 allowance for mother trees and 0.8
for utilization wastages.]
Total estimated yield per hectare:
339 cum
This (339 cum/ha) yield in 35 years works out to a mean annual growth of 9.7 cum/ha
compared to ± 1 cum/ha/year for TPTI.
An alternative yield figure of 145cum/ha at 35 years for TPTI is adopted in the Smartwood’s scoping
report on PT SBK; and even this lower figure is considered by Smartwood as too optimistic, since it is
entirely based on diameter increment figures from various limited observation plots on planted Meranti
growth, and from the monitoring of natural growth of trees in the permanent measurement plots. While there
is uncertainty about the realistic average yield that can be achieved by adopting TPTJ, it is accepted that
the new system will be a significant improvement on TPTI.
5.4 Pre Logging Formalities
Pre-logging activities are prescribed in the one year working plans or operational plans covering: pre-logging
inventory and cruising; establishment of infrastructure, roads, skid trails, log landings and field camps;
sequencing compartments to be logged; crew training; equipment tuning/servicing and so on. For each
compartment, locations of trees to be harvested are marked on maps. The trees that can be harvested
during the one-year are cruised, identified on detailed contour maps, and tagged with a label in field. The
trees that are damaged and cannot be harvested are also identified. Potential crop trees (PCT’s) that have
to be protected for future harvest receive a different identification tag. Harvesting efficiency, to a great extent
is decided by proper execution of pre-logging formalities.
5.5 Logging Operations
Logging system followed is selective cutting of trees of prescribed size and specifications, with directional
felling and tractor skidding. All operations are carried out mechanically. Chain saws are used for felling and
bucking, bulldozers for skidding and road building, trucks for hauling, besides using others like graders,
mechanical lifts and hoists, excavators and so on. The logging-related operations of PT SBK uses: 33 chain
saws, 21 tractors, 32 skidders, 13 loaders, 15 motor graders, 2 excavators, one vibrator/ roller, 35 dump
trucks, 18 logging trucks, 14 trailer trucks, 7 tank trucks and 39 passenger vehicles plus fire protection
equipments, communication equipments, nursery and plantation equipment and laboratory equipment.
Logging is undertaken in compartments of approximately 100 ha in size. Logging in a compartment is
to be completed, before moving on to the next. About 8 trees are harvested per ha, producing about 50 cum
of logs. Bucking, crosscutting and scaling are done normally at stump site and logs are dragged to the log
landing by bulldozers. Maximum skidding distance is limited to 500 m. A skilled chainsaw operator can fell
22 trees in a day and a skidder operator can handle some 20 trees per day.
From forest (log-landing) to the company’s log pond, the distance is 92 km; and logs are transported
over this distance by 80-tonne trucks. Beyond the company’s log pond, the logs are transported by river over
a distance of some 320 km – rafting for floaters and barging (using pontoons) for sinker logs. Cut ends of
the logs are protected by ‘S’ shaped clamps. Logs are identified by ‘SBK’ identification stamp and engraved
dimensions of the log and log source. Over the years the company has built 1,218 km of roads. Density of
logging roads with in the forest is about 23 meters/ha. Since 2000, the company has begun to introduce RIL,
in stages – by giving training to operators; and the process is on-going. Initial results of the research carried
out by the company in collaboration with NRMP-USAID since 1995 has already shown that productivity
under RIL is about 12 to 24% higher, soil damage is about 2.5% lower, forest crown cover is 18.5% better
and the number of healthy residual trees are 18.5% larger.
5.6 Log Hauling
In normal conditions of good weather, and adequate water level in the river, and if all timber transport
documents are in order, it takes about one week from the forest to the log pond, and one month from the
concession log pond to the mill pond in Pontianak.
Log transport is to be covered by a legal letter of forest product transportation or Timber Transit Permit
(SKSHH). SKSHH is issued based on the production report (LHP).
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5.7 Payment for Harvest Operations
The company does not engage any contractors. All workers are company employees. They are paid
remuneration based on a simple system:
• Production workers - regular salary; production salary
(mark-up based on output)
• Administrative staff - regular salary; over-time premium
• Supervisors
- regular salary; bonus
5.8 Damages/ Wastages
Measures have been adopted to reduce damages/wastages in the form of high stumps, lops and tops,
inappropriate bucking practices, felling damages to the tree being felled and to the surrounding trees and so
on. The company estimates the damages/wastages to be about 30%
5.9 Levies and Charges
Six types of levies/charges are in force in forest utilization according to Law No.41 of 1999.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Licensing Fee of Forest Utilization Business (IIUPH)
Reforestation Fund (DR)
Forest Resource Charges (PSDH)
Performance Bond (DJK)- (not yet implemented)
Forest Conservation Investment Fund (DIPH)- (not yet implemented)
Investment Fund for Forestry Research and Development, Education and Training, and
Counselling – (not yet implemented)
The amount of levy, currently being charged, on logs of Meranti group originating from Kalimantan and
Maluku are the following:
a. Levies stipulated by the central Government
- Reforestation Fund (DR): US$ 16 per cum (equivalent to Rp.144,000/cum)
- Forest Resource Charges (PSDH): Rp.64,000 per cum (10% of the fixed price)
- Land and Building Tax (PBB): calculated on the basis of dimension class of land and profit
(± Rp.10, 000/cum)
- License Fee for Forest Utilization Business Rp. 50, 000/ha or Rp. 2,000/cum
Thus the total levies charged by Central Government is about Rp. 220,000/cum of log
(equivalent to US $ 24.44)
b. Other legal levies: vehicle tax, excavation tax, income tax, added value tax (on logs) (10% x the
price), corporate tax.
c. Informal levies: land conflict claims, adapt right claims, etc.
Total of all levies on logs works out to about Rps. 300, 000/cum (US $ 33.33)
5.10. Delivered Cost of Logs at Mill Site
The estimated delivered cost of logs at mill site in Pontianak is close to Rp.700, 000 per cum (Table 6).
Table 6. Delivered cost of logs at mill site in Pontianak
Item
Forest Planning
Replanting
Developing/Managing Forest
Fire Protection & Forest Security
Forest Product Extraction
Levies and Charges
Social & Environmental Activities
Infrastructure
Total
Production (cum)
*)
Year 2000
Rp.
2,452,107,007
4,672,052,686
3,263,350,858
94,404,157
68,674,412,737
67,800,796,406
2,322,145,746
55,558,233,748
204,837,503,345
342,973.42
Year 2001
Rp./cum
7,150
13,622
9,515
275
200,232
197,685
6,771
161,990
597,240
Rp.
2,632,910,437
4,502,852,719
3,335,417,707
137,439,735
65,275,234,341
71,853,938,027
3,029,621,848
68,202,690,647
218.970,105,481
Rp./cum
8,362
14,302
10,594
437
207,321
228,215*
9,622
216,618
695,471
314,851.72
Actually the amount of levies per cum is larger than this figure, since not all of the bills have been paid. The total of
all levies and charges will be about Rps 300,000
5.11 Parallel Harvesting
Communities harvest logs of certain species such as ulin for their own needs and for sale (to earn some
additional income). They claim right over these products. The company is often forced (in the interest of
goodwill) to help the people transport products such as ulin and rattan. No ‘illegal’ logging take place within
the concession area.
5.12 Harvested Volume
The average annual wood removal during the first concession period was 163, 829 cum at an average of
48.95cum/ha. The quantity logged increased steadily from 14,528 cum in 1980/81 to 244, 265 cum in
1998/1999.
For the period 1995-2000, the area logged was 27,871 ha removing a volume of 1,424,670 cum, giving
an annual average cut of 284,934 cum and an average yield of 51.2 cum/ha.
With the introduction of TPTJ, there has been an increase in sustainable cut. The figures of harvest
volume by calendar year are:
1999
2000
2001
:
:
:
349, 811 cum
342, 973 cum
314, 852 cum
5.13 Post Harvest Operations
Some aspects of post-harvest operations were discussed earlier (also see Table 5). Post-harvest inventory,
regeneration survey, damage assessment, decommissioning of unwanted infrastructure, forest rehabilitation
and protection measures, boundary maintenance are some of the important post-harvest operations. These
are relevant and important for both TPTI and TPTJ. Most of the post harvest information available pertains
to TPTI, since TPTJ was introduced only recently.
5.14.Protection and Rehabilitation
Other post-harvest activities (both for TPTI and TPTJ), among others, include: protecting the forest from fire,
illegal activities, pests and diseases; measures to conserve bio-diversity; decommissioning of skid trails, log
landings, temporary roads and camps, and to plant up such areas to avoid soil erosion; and boundary
maintenance.
Fire Protection. Apart from making funds and facilities (such as fire fighting equipments, lookout towers,
water ponds) available, an important measure for effective forest protection is ensuring co-operation and
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support of the local people. People’s participation can be enhanced through increased transparency and
appropriate incentives such as support to social welfare and community development programmes.
Land Rehabilitation. PT SBK, is running a programme to rehabilitate critically eroded land in the
concession area. As of July 2001, the company had planted and area of 2,756 ha as part of the land
rehabilitation activity using fruit trees, timber trees, and rubber. Also, since 1993, the company has covered
16 km of “planting on left and right sides of roads” (kiri-kanan planting).
Boundary Maintenance. The government established forest boundary has not yet been recognized by
the community; adat right is supposed to allow them to do cultivation whenever and wherever they want to.
And the company doesn’t have any authority to prohibit their activities. It is necessary to formally settle the
rights of the local community to avoid conflicts due to misinterpretations.
6.0
HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT (HRD)
6.1 Employment
PT SBK’s forest concession and related wood industry employs 3,289 people; of these 2,110 persons are
from with in the regency (local) and others are from elsewhere in Indonesia (Table 7)
Table 7. Details of employment in fForestry and forest industry
Details
Employment in forest Concession
Employment in wood industry
Total
Local people
Non-local people
Total
933 (58%)
1,177 (70%)
2,110 (64%)
675 (42%)
504 (30%)
1,179 (36%)
1,608
1,681
3,289
Employment in forestry, by category, is as follows (Table 8)
Table 8. Total employment in the concession of PT SBK, by categories
Category
Unskilled Workers
Skilled Workers
Professional, technical, engineers, supervisors
Managers
Total
Number
1,136
318
150
4
1,608
Of the 150 professional/technical personnel, 141 are specialized in forestry (12 with master degrees;
6 bachelor degrees; 13 diplomas; 28 cruiser certificates; 37 scaling certificates; 23 nursery experts; 3
mapping experts; 19 other forestry experts). The remaining 9 are experts in non-forestry fields: economics
2; engineering 2; agriculture 3; law 1; anthropology 1.
6.2 Safety Record
Average number of accidents for the last five years has been 87.4 per year, of which 92% were light
accidents. Average number of work related deaths has been 1.4 per year.
6.3 Labour Welfare
All the workers are insured through Government Worker Insurance (Jamsostek), coverage including
Accident Insurance, Old Age Insurance (Pension) and Death Insurance. Towards premium the company
pays: 0.24% to 1.74% x Salary, for Accident Insurance; 3.7% x Salary, for Old Age Insurance; 0.3% x Salary,
for Death Insurance.
All employees in the camps get housing (depending on their salary level), supplied with electricity and
water, and their children are provided educational facilities. All employees get the benefit of health services.
A labour union has been formed in the concession in 2002 with the objective of working towards common
benefits and collective bargaining.
6.4 Updating and Enhancing Skills
Short courses and training workshops are organized by the company for upgrading and enhancing the skill
level of its employees. These trainings covers a wide range: timber cruising, log grading, cartography,
participatory rural appraisal, application of C & I for SFM, environmental audit, plant genetics and breeding,
Mycorrhiza application, participatory mapping, participatory methodologies etc.
7.0
INSTITUTIONAL ASPECT
7.1 Legal Instruments and Controls
Legal instruments covering the business activities of PT SBK include, among others: the Company Act:
registration certificate of the company; Government permit/license to practice business and trade;
investment approval; forest concession agreement; approved forest management plans (e.g. RKPH, RKT);
environmental impact analysis; and a number of guidelines related to forest concessions.
There are 3 forestry officials who control daily activities in the Concession. They are: Exploitation
Controller; Controller and Grader of Production Report(P2LHP); Official who issues SKSHH (Pejabat
Penerbit SKSHH). Moreover, several other officials from Regency, Provincial and National Forestry
Departments make inspection visits. Also officials come from other departments, such as Man Power
Department. The purpose of these visits, often, is not clear.
7.2 Local Government Regulations
Following political reforms and decentralization the local Governments have introduced regulations to
impose new (additional) levies and charges on forest products. In the case of PT. SBK, here are two
instances:
a. Kotawaringin Timur Regency (Local Regulations No.16, year 2001)
- Contribution Fund for Local Development: Rp.25,000/ cum of log
- Village Development Fund: Rp.10,000/cum of logs.
- Kotawaringin Barat Regency (Regent Degree No.17, year 2000)
b. Third Party Donation: Rp.15,000/cum of logs
- Illegal log: - Ramin: Rp.150,000/cum of logs
- Illegal log: - Meranti/mixed species: Rp.75,000/cum of logs
7.3 Government Revenue
Contribution of PT SBK towards the forest-related tax revenue, as average for the 5 years (1995-2000), was
Rps 35.7 billion. For the fiscal year 1999/2000 alone it was Rps 52.3 billion. In addition to this, there are
non-sectoral taxes such as income tax. These, as average for 5 years (1995-2000) were 8.7 billion; and for
the fiscal year 1999/2000 it was Rps 7.4 billion. Adding all taxes, average annual contribution of PT SBK
towards Government revenue during 1995-2000 was Rps 44.4 billion; in 1999/ 2000 alone it was Rps 59.7
billion. Local governments receive a share of this revenue.
7.4 Organizational Structure
While the President Director is supported by subject matter Departments, and the Area General Manager
is supported by a Forest Manager with seven specialist Divisions, it is the Site Manager who is responsible
for field level operations – covering micro-planning, logging, forest management and protection, strip
planting and community development. Each of these specific operations has a structured design of
functions, responsibilities and linkages. Proper structuring helps to ensure and improve efficiency.
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8.0
SOCIAL ASPECT
8.1 Local Communities
Kalimantan is the home of the Dayak indigenous people. Almost 80% of the Dayak communities depend on
forest resources for their living. Shifting cultivation or ladang is their oldest agricultural system, which has
been practiced for centuries. Shifting cultivation was successfully practiced without destroying forest
resources in the past; but the system has been loosing its elegance with increasing population pressure and
outsider influence.
According to PT. SBK’s data, there are 15 villages and about 3,600 people located in and immediately
around the concession. Part of them used to live inside the forest, and have relocated along the rivers in the
1960s due to political and economic factors. Nowadays, most people live in permanent riverside villages.
Even after relocating, the people still keep a link with their ancestral lands in the upper Sungai Samba area,
where they keep graves, statues and worshipping sites used on special occasions. They also practice slash
and burn agriculture as well as rattan planting, hunting and fishing. These areas, which cover less than 2%
of the concession area, have been delineated and removed from the licence during its renewal in 1998.
8.2 Socio-Economic Contributions
Socio-Economic contributions of PT SBK are several: contributions to national and local revenue; generation
of local employment; support to enhance local income; local skill and education development; supporting
community welfare; and promoting people’s participation.
8.3 Local Employment and Income Generation
Some 64% of all company workers are locally recruited.
Apart from wage income to community members, the local communities are given direct support by PT
SBK to establish income-earning opportunities. The company has: helped to establish local co-operatives
(including capital contribution); established 23 ha of agricultural demonstration plot; carried out paddy field
development over 105 ha; established 4.5 ha of rubber plantation; supported development of poultry,
horticulture and cottage industries. The company also provides regular extension support including supply
to tools. Villages on the periphery of the concession (e.g. Tanjung Pakku) are also provided similar support
by the company. Instead of providing nominal company shares to the people, PT SBK believes in supporting
them in establishing their own resources which can serve as a valuable vehicle for self-reliant community
development.
For developing local skill and education, the company, so far, has arranged for: training 152 people in
agricultural, fishery, cattle, home industry and co-operative management; arranged 53 scholarships, and
long term education for 6 children; and provided 13 teachers for local schools. The company is also running
a residential school with full facilities at the Base Camp.
8.4 Community Welfare Activities
For enhancing community welfare, PT SBK has invested in development of infrastructure such as: roads,
water supply facilities, checkdams for irrigation, electricity supply, schools, places of worship, sports
facilities, toilet facilities, dispensary and health facilities and adat houses. On an average, the company
spends Rps.2.97 billion per year on social welfare and development.
The continuing cooperation with the local community has created a sense of participation among the
people. The community forestry development programme started in 1982 has spread to 18 villages in the
area, with participation of some 8,800 people.
9.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT
The activities of PT SBK in establishing stream buffer, road planning, watershed rehabilitation, community
forestry, tree planting in critical areas, establishment of conservation areas within the concession, waste
reduction measures, conduct of EIA, unrestricted supply of information about the concession to
students/NGOs/ public are all part of its environmental development programme.
The following indicates the company’s accomplishments in establishing conservation areas within the
concession.
1. Conservation area within concession
2. Rehabilitation planting in bare land
3. Planting along roadsides
= 29,597 Ha (Seed stands, Biodiversity plots,
Protected forest buffer zones, River margins,
Protected Zone of 40% and up in slope, Permanent
measurement plots)
= 600 Ha/Year
= 400 Ha/Year
The concession area adjoins the Bukit Baka-Bukit Raya National Park, which is reasonably remote and
so less subjected to population pressures, although encroachment from shifting cultivation is clearly visible
along the boundaries of the Park. It is assumed that the complete suite of fauna and flora found throughout
the forested areas in Kalimantan would be found in this Park. The company is working together with the
National Park authorities for ensuring its protection.
10.0 R & D ACTIVITIES
The company has been conducting practical field-oriented research ever since it started logging activities in
the concession, particularly on aspects linked to its operations: i.e. growth and yield studies, waste-free
logging/RIL, nursery practices (e.g. shade control in adaptive chambers), progeny trials and so on.
Measurements in Shorea leprosula, S.hopeifolia, S.laevifolia, S.johorensis, S.fallax, Dipterocarpus spp,
Litsea firma, Scorodocarpus borneensis and others have given useful results.
The company has had collaboration with Universities and externally assisted projects for conducting
research. Some of the important research activities of the company include:
-
Biodiversity Inventory in Bukti Baka National Park (in collaboration with MoF).
Growth and yield studies in logged over areas and virgin forests.
RIL trials (in collaboration with NRMP/USAID).
Collaboration with IPB, UGM, UI, UNPAR, UNPAD, UNHAS, UNTAN etc for student’s research
(347 topics).
- Logging waste assessment studies (in collaboration with NRMP).
- Development of models to establish commercial plantation of Dipterocarps (in collaboration with
ITTO & UGM).
- Genetic diversity enhancement of Shorea leprosula and Lophopetalum multinervum (in
collaboration with ITTO & UGM)
11.0 CERTIFICATION
11.1. Initiatives to Obtain Timber Certification
The Company has been learning about, and implementing C& I for SFM for the last several years, and has
trained some of its staff in ecolabelling, to help improve its activities in order to meet SFM criteria.
PT. SBK had applied to be certified in 1998 to the Indonesia Ecolabelling Institute (LEI), which after a
first expert panel screening concluded positively about the possibility of PT SBK getting qualified for
certification. However, there were some questions about TPTJ which had just started to be implemented
then, and it posed a problem for assessment. The full certification process was then delayed. On its side,
the PT SBK also had some questions about the joint certification protocol (JCP) and wanted to gain more
understanding on how it would affect its certification.
Finally, after a series of meetings and discussions, PT SBK decided to apply for certification for one
block of its concession as a first test. If the test is positive, other companies of the AKG may follow suit.
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11.2. Scoping by Smartwood
The Smartwood scoping was a joint effort of Smartwood, its Indonesian representative LATIN, and PT TUVa German-Indonesian company accredited by LEI. This joint evaluation followed the requirements of the
FSC/LEI Joint Certification Protocol. The scoping investigation was based on the principles established by
FSC.
The scoping team of Smartwood has provided 38 recommendations regarding actions to bridge the
gaps between PT SBK’s current management and forestry practices and the “certification standards”
required. Of these, 12 are categorised as high priority recommendations.
Some of the high-priority recommendations are clearly relevant to FMU. For example:
• PT SBK should ensure that RIL is fully implemented throughout SBK’s operations and be able
to demonstrate this to any full assessment team.
• PT SBK should monitor the level of erosion and the impact on the water streams resulting from
the Company’s operations, especially road making.
• PT. SBK should produce written guidelines to minimize the impact of its operations on erosion
and water pollution, including logging operations, road construction, rubbish disposal, chemical
disposal and sewerage from camps and workshops.
• PT. SBK should improve the standards of its roading, with a particular emphasis on reducing
earthworks, better drainage and erosion control. All roading should be completed a year ahead
of logging to allow consolidation of the earthworks before major use. Roads should be gravelled
before being used by log trucks. The use of roads when they are still wet should be minimized.
11.3 The Company’s Views on Certification
While appreciating the intrinsic merits of certification, the company is of the view that some criteria and
indicators cannot be implemented in the present situation. There are many external obstacles to meet
criteria – such as boundary conflicts, illegal activities, low price of illegal products vs. high price of legal
products, overlapping of law, political interference. While there is no guarantee to get remunerative prices
through certification, illegal logging seems to thrive freely. Illegal logging activities are a serious hurdle for
forest sustainability. Volume of illegal logs in the market is much larger than legal logs. So “legal-labelling”
is more important than “ecolabelling”, right now.
12.0 CONCLUSION
While PT SBK has control over the operations and systems internal to the concession, there are several
hurdles for achieving SFM, created by external factors on which the company has little control. These have
been elaborated in the foregoing paragraphs. However, to recapitulate, some of the important constraints
are the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Illegal logging is taking place all over Kalimantan and in the rest of the country.
There are Illegally operating mills, buying illegal logs.
There is lack of law enforcement to prevent illegal action.
Poor policies, weak regulations and inadequate controls.
Log smuggling.
Uncertainty of the status of forest area (conflict of adat right).
Policy conflicts between central and local governments.
The weaknesses of policies and regulations affect the companies, resulting in: low motivation to
implement SFM; high cost of legal log production, and low market value; decreased of competitiveness in
the market for legal logs; indifference to long term perspective, since there isn’t any certainty about future
under the present circumstances.
PT SBK has been able to practice SFM, in spite of several difficult hurdles. In the evaluation of the
quality of concession management carried out by APHI in 1997/1998 PT SBK scored 80.5 percentage
points, reflecting its good management practices. In another assessment, of performance rating of 30
concessions in Indonesia done in 2002, based on ITTO indicators, PT SBK was awarded 86.05% points and
was adjudged for “very good performance”. The company has also initiated the process for obtaining timber
certification through SmartWood (FSC) and PT. Tuv International (LEI).
Success of PT SBK can be attributed to the following factors: • Long experience in concession forest
management; • Entrepreneurial vision of the management; • Linkage with processing facilities, serving as
motivation to manage the forest sustainably; • Good planning supported by high standard of forest and
business management; • Meticulous and efficient implementation; robust operational control and review
mechanisms for safety and productivity; transparency of action; • Capable staff; staff motivation and
discipline, strengthened by appropriate incentives; • Investment in research and technology enhancement;
• Strong economic, social and environmental commitment to the people and the resources; investment in
social/community welfare activities; • Good relationship with local government; • Compliance to laws, rules
and regulations; not involved in any court cases or litigations; • Consistent implementation of management
prescriptions, following ITTO guidelines; • Good understanding about the ecology of the area; high standard
of environmental management and monitoring; • Decentralization of business controls and decisions;
• Voluntary acceptance of third party evaluations; • Collaboration with national and international agencies
(e.g. NRMP-USAID; ITTO-UGM); • Consultation with community groups and local people; community
acceptance of the company; • Comparative remoteness (limited access) of area gives strategic ability to
control illegal activities; • Progressive outlook shown in introducing a sustainable development model for
concession management (i.e. TPTJ) instead of a sustainable yield model.
With the above mentioned experiences of constraints and successes, PT SBK is trying to
achieve a high standard of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) in the future.
13.0 LITERATURE
APHI, 2002. Evaluation of 30 HPHs Performance According to ITTO Criteria, Draft.
Smartwood. 2001. Smartwood Certification Scoping Report – PT. Sari Bumi Kusuma.
Suparna, N. 2002. Rationalization of Levies in the Forestry Sector, Urgent to Carry Out. Paper at APHI Working Meeting,
Denpasar.
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SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT – AGAINST ALL ODDS:
THE CASE OF PACIFIC TIMBER EXPORT CORPORATION
AMENAGEMENT FORESTIER DURABLE–CONTRE VENTS ET MAREES
LE CAS DE PACIFIC TIMBER EXPORT CORPORATION
ORDENACION FORESTAL SOSTENIBLE–CONTRA V1ENTO Y MAREA
EL CASO DE PACIFIC TIMBER EXPORT CORPORATION
F. A. Lu
Pacific Timber Export Corporation
SUMMARY
PATECO’s Motto is Conservation Through Proper Utilization and Its management truism: Financial success can be
attained through the practice of utilizing internal funds, without sourcing financial requirements through credit, which is
subject to high interest rates.
The company was established around 1960 with an original concession area of 37,860 ha and located in
Dinapigue, Isabela and Dilasag, Aurora. Its Timber License Agreement (TLA) for an area of 34,450 hectares and with
an Annual Allowable Cut (ACC) of 46,445 cum was renewed on July 1, 1982 for a 25-year term ending December 31,
2006. It is one of the remaining 16 TLAs in the Philippines and only one of four operational TLAs with approved
Integrated Operations Plan (IOP).
The TLA specifies the conditions for managing the area, covering legal and administrative requirements and
prescriptions on silviculture, utilization, infrastructure development and protection, etc. To maintain a high and
sustainable forest yield, the company practices scientific logging and selective cutting method; timber stand
improvement (TSI) and assisted natural regeneration (ANR) in residual forest, maintenance of seedling nurseries, and
development of plantation sites. Timber extraction is done using a combination of truck hauling and tractor skidding.
Forest development and environmental enhancement measures are strictly implemented. The TLA and natural forests
in the Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) areas are managed under the selective logging system,
reinforced by the TSI system and enrichment planting.
The shift of operations from old growth forests to residual/secondary production forests was mandated by
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). It classified and divided the operable area into
management blocks based on ‘year elapsed after logging’. The DENR granted arbitrary AAC based on the size of
residual forests. Effectively, this policy penalized companies like PATECO which preserved their old growth forests.
From 1992 to 1996, the company had to be content with an AAC of 8,042 cum until the approval of its 10-Year Medium
Term Timber Management Plan (MTTMP) in 1997 when the AAC was adjusted according to the sustained yield of the
area. During the same year, notwithstanding it being one of the first two companies granted an Environmental
Compliance Certificate (ECC) for forest activities, the company’s business operation had to be put on hold for seven
months while awaiting approval of its ECC and IOP.
The TLA area is divided into (i) protection forest and (ii) production forests. Production forests are divided into
management blocks for sustainable harvesting and silvicultural activities. Including its IFMA, the available operable area
is 13,997 ha.
PATECO’s timber management is based on (i) 10-year (1977-2006) MTTMP) (ii) 5-year (May 2001-April 2006)
IOP; and (iii) ECC. The company continues to practice selective logging system with TSI and ANR as important
components. The IOP specifies the actual extent of area to be logged with the corresponding harvest volume and period
of operation as well as the target for TSI and ANR. It also prescribes the activities and method of operations governed
by the Selective Logging System. The ECC provides the mitigating measures to abate negative environmental impacts
and serves as a periodic checklist for ecological balance. For the period of March 1999 to December 2003, the estimated
production cost per cum log was PHP 4,278.
Timber produced is manufactured into lumber, plywood, builders’ woodwork and doors at the company’s integrated
woodworking plants. The present production caters mostly to the domestic market. The company maximizes the
utilization of wood materials beginning from the cutting area up to the down-stream wood processing mills.
Aside from the forest plantation maintained under IFMA No. R-4-0001, PATECO has no open and denuded areas. As
part of its social commitment, the company also entered into Memoranda of Agreement to reforest their idle private
lands. The company is also into forestry research. A patrol system is sustained for forest protection and to curb illegal
activities. It invested on environmental conservation and watershed management and has preventive measures against
forest fires.
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In 1992-2003, the company paid more than PHP 121M in forest charges, fees and taxes. Of this amount, PHP
48.4M went to the local government units. Likewise, the company has significant socio-economic contributions.
PATECO spends more than PHP 4M annually for community services and welfare contributions.
The company has adjusted to the changing policies and IRR, with every change in administration. It maintains
cordial relationship with DENR and other agencies. While its operation is constrained by illegal logging and threats from
insurgents, it managed to conduct adequate TLA operations. The TLA will expire in 2006 and operation beyond that is
uncertain. The company is preparing for the inevitable and envisions the phase-out of TLA and/or its conversion into
IFMA.
PATECO’s case is a study of possibilities, potentials and hurdles faced by private company operations in achieving
Sustainable Forest Management amidst unstable policy and institutional environment. Considering the innumerable
guideline changes that go with political leadership turnover, PATECO has successfully achieved its objectives and
missions and more.
RESUME
PATECO a pour devise L’utilisation judicieuse au service de la conservation, et pour précepte de gestion Le succes
financier peut être réalisé en recourant aux fonds internes, sans chercher à financer les besoins par des crédits à des
taux d’intérêt qui risquent d’être élevés. L’entreprise a été établie aux environs de 1960 avec, à l’origine, une concession
de 37.860 ha située à Dinapigue (Isabela) et Dilasag (Aurora). Son permis d’exploitation de bois, qui porte sur une
superficie de 34.450 hectares et une possibilité annuelle de 46.445 m3, a été renouvelé le lerjuillet 1982 pour une durée
de 25 ans venant à expiration le 31 décembre 2006. C’est l’un des 16 permis d’exploitation encore en vigueur aux
Philippines et l’un des quatre seuls qui soient encore opérationnels selon un plan d’opérations intégrées approuvé.
L’accord de licence spécifie comment la zone doit être gérée, en précisant les les conditions d’ordre juridique et
administratif et les prescriptions en matiére de sylviculture, d’utilisation.de développement d’infrastructures, de
protection, etc.. Afin de maintenir un rendement élevé et durable, de la forêt, l’entreprise pratique l’exploitation forestière
scientifique et la méthode de coupes sélectives; l’amélioration de peuplements (TSI) et la régénération naturelle
assistée (ANR) dans la forêt résiduelle. Elle entretient des pépinières de jeunes plants et met en valeur des sites de
plantation. Les prélèvements de bois se font à l’aide de camions pour le transport et de tracteurs pour le débusquage.
Les mesures de développement des forêts et d’amélioration environnementale sont strictement mises en oeuvre. Les
zones couvertes par la licence et les forêts naturelles comprises dans les aires de l’accord de gestion forestière intégrée
(IFMA) sont gérées selon le systeme sélectif d’exploitation forestière, renforcé par l’amélioration des peuplements et
des plantations d’enrichissement.
L’abandon des opérations dans les forêts primaires pour exploiter les forêts de production résiduelles/secondaires
a été décrété par Département de l’environnement et des resources naturelles (DENR). Celui-ci a classé et divisé le
secteur exploitable en blocs gestion, en se fondant sur ‘le nombre d’années écoulées depuis les coupes’. Le DENR a
fixé arbitrairement une possibilite basée sur la taille des forêts résiduelles. En fait, cette politique a pénalisé les
entreprises comme PATECO qui preservaient leurs forêts primaires. De 1992 à 1996, l’entreprise a dû se contenter d’un
possibilité annuelle de 8.042 m3, jusqu’au moment de l’approbation de son plan à moyen terme (décennal) de gestion
du bois (MTTMP) en 1997, lorsque la possibilite a été modifiée en fonction du rendement soutenu de la zone. Pendant
la meme année, bien qu’étant l’une des deux premieres entreprises à se voir accorder un certificat de respect de
l’environnement pour ses activités forestieres, l’entreprise a dû suspendre ses operations commerciales pendant sept
mois en attendant l’approbation de ce certificat et de son plan d’operations integrées.
La zone couverte par le permis d’exploitation est divisée en i) forêts de protection et ii) forêts de production. Les
forêts de production sont divisées en blocs de gestion pour les récoltes durables et les activités forestieres. Y compris
les aires relevant de l’accord de gestion forestière intégrée, la superficie exploitable est de 13.997 ha. PATECO gère
son exploitation de bois conformement i) au plan MTTMP à moyen terme pour les dix années de 1977 à 2006, ii) au
plan d’opérations intégrées pour les cinq années de mai 2001 à avril 2006; et iii) au certificat de respect de
l’environnement. L’entreprise continue d’appliquer le système d’abattage sélectif, avec amélioration des peuplements
et régénération naturelle assistée en tant que composantes importantes. Le plan quinquennal spécifié l’étendue précise
du secteur à couper, le volume de la récolte et la période d’exécution correspondants, ainsi que des cibles concernant
l’amélioration des peuplements et la régénération naturelle assistée. Il prescrit également les activités et le mode
d’exécution définis par le systeme d’exploitation sélective. Le certificat de respect de l’environnement prévoit des
mesures visant à atténuer les incidences négatives sur l’environnement et sert de liste de controle pour l’examen
périodique de l’équilibre écologique. Pour la période de mars 1999 à décembre 2003, le cout de production par m3 de
grume était estimé à PHP 4,278.
Le bois produit est transforme à l’installation d’usinage intégrée de l’entreprise, en débités, contreplaqués, bois de
construction et portes. La production actuelle approvisionne la plus grande partie du marché intérieur. L’entreprise
maximise l’utilisation du matériau bois, dès le carreau de coupe etjusqu’aux unités de transformation en aval.
Hormis la plantation forestière gérée en vertu de l’accord de gestion forestière n° R-4-0001, PATECO n’a aucun
espace ouvert et dénudé. Quant à ses obligations d’ordresocial, l’entreprise a conclu des mémorandums d’entente pour
reboiser ses terres privées inexploitées. Elle s’est engagée aussi dans la recherche forestière. Un dispositif de
surveillance continue est en place en vue de protéger les forêts et de limiter les activites illégales. Elle s’est investie
dans des activités de conservation environnementale et de gestion des bassins versants et a pris des mesures
préventives centre les feux de forêt.
En 1992-2003, l’entreprise a payé plus de PHP 121M en frais, droitset taxes surles forêts. Sur ce montant, PHP
48,4M étaient destinés aux unites du gouvernement local. De meme, l’entreprise acquitte des contributions socioéconomiques non négligeables. PATECO dépense chaque année plus de PHP 4M pour des services communautaires
et des cotisations sociales.
L’entreprise s’est adaptée aux changements de politiques et de règlements d’exécution (IRR) avec chaque
changement d’administratioh. Elle entretient des rapports cordiaux avec le DENR et d’autres agences. Bien que ses
opérations soient genées par l’exploitation illégale et les menaces d’insurgés, elle est parvenue 6 mener adéquatement
les opérations prescrites dans la licence d’exploitation. Celle-ci expirera en 2006 et, au delà de cette date, la poursuite
des opérations est incertaine. L’entreprise se prépare à l’inévitable et envisage le ralentissement progressif des activites
de la licence et/ou la conversion de celle-ci en un accord de gestion forestière intégrée.
Le cas de PATECO est une étude des possibilités, des potentiels et des obstacles auxquels sont confrontées les
operateurs privés pour realiser l’aménagement forestière durable dans un climat politique et institutionnel instable.
Compte tenu des innombrables changements d’orientation qui accompagnent les changements de dirigeants
politiques, PATECO a réussi à atteindre ses objectifs, à remplir ses missions, et plus encore.
RESUMEN
PATECO tiene como lema “la utilizacion racional en pro de la conservacion” y opera en base al axioma comercial de
que “el ex/to financiero se logra utilizando fondos internos, sin intentar cubnr las necesidades financieras con creditos
sujetos a alias tasas de interes”.
La empresa se creo aproximadamente en 1960 con un area de concesion de 37.860 ha situada en Dinapigue
(Isabela) y Dilasag (Aurora). El acuerdo de su licencia de explotacionde Madera (TLA) para un superficie de 34.450
hectareas con una posibilidad de corta anual (PCA) de 46.445 m3 fue renovado el 1° de julio de 1982 por un perfodo
de 25 anos hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2006. Constituye una de las 16 licencias de este tipo aun vigentes en Filipinas
y solo una de cuatro licencias activas con un plan operative integral (POI).
El acuerdo de la licencia especifica las condiciones para el manejo del area, estipulando los requisitos jurfdicos y
administrativos y las normas reglamentarias en materia de tratamientos silvfcolas, utilizacion, desarrollo de
infraestructura, medidas de proteccion, etc. A fin de mantener un rendimiento forestal sostenible, la empresa aplica
tecnicas cientfficas de explotacion forestal y un metodo de corta selectiva; practicas de mejoramiento de la masa
maderable en pie y regeneracion natural asistida en el rodal forestal residual; mantenimiento de viveros para la
produccion de plantulas; y desarrollo de areas de plantacion. La extraccion se lleva a cabo utilizando una combinacion
de tecnicas de saca de madera con camionesy arrastre de trozas con tractor. En este proceso, se aplican estrictamente
las medidas orientadas a mejorarel medio ambiente y el desarrollo forestal. Las areas cubiertas por el permiso de
explotacion y los bpsques naturales de las zonas amparadas por el Acuerdo de Manejo Forestal Integrado (IFMA) se
manejan con un sistema de corta selectiva, reforzado con tecnicas de mejoramiento de la masa maderable en .pie y
plantaciones de enriquecimiento.
El traspaso de las operaciones de los bosques primaries a los bosques de produccion secundarios /residuales se
realize por orden del Departamento del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (DENR), que clasifico y dividio el area
de operaciones en totes de manejo en base a los “anos transcurridos despues de la explotacion”. El DENR fijo
arbitrariamente los niveles de PCA basandose en el tamano de los bosques residuales. De hecho, esta politica penalize
a las empresas como PATECO, que preservaban sus bosques primaries. Entre 1992 y 1996, la empresa tuvo que
contentarse con una PCA de 8.042 m3 hasta la aprobacion de su plan a mediano plazo (10 anos) de produccion
maderera (MTTMP) en 1997, cuando se reajusto la PCA conforme al nivel de rendimiento sostenido de la zona. Ese
mismo ano, pese a ser una de las primeras dos empresas acreedoras a un certificado de cumplimiento ambiental
(CCA) por sus actividades forestales, sus operaciones debieron suspenderse durante siete meses hasta obtener la
aprobacion de su CCA y su POI.
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El area cubierta por el permiso de explotacion (TLA) se divide en: (i) bosques de proteccion, y (ii) bosques de
produccion. Estos ultimos, a su vez, se dividen en lotes de manejo para la extracci6n sostenible de madera y
tratamientos silvfcolas. La superficie aprovechable, incluyendo el area sujeta al IFMA, es de 13.997 ha. La produccion
maderera de PATECO se basa en: (i) el plan MTTMP de diez anos (1977-2006);
(ii) un plan operative integral (POI) quinquenal (mayo de 2001- abrii de 2006); y (iii) el certificado de cumplimiento
ambiental (CCA). La empresa sigue aplicando el sistema de extraccion selective con importantes componentes de
mejoramiento de la masa maderable en pie (MMP) y regeneracion natural asistida (RNA). El POI especifica la
extension del area que se puede aprovechar con el correspondiente volumen de extraccion y el perfodo de operacion,
asi como las metas fijadaspara las actividades de MMP y RNA. Asimismo, estipula las actividades y el metodo de
operacion dentro del sistema de extraccion selectiva. Por otra parte, el CCA establece la aplicacion de medidas
tendientes a mitigar los impactos ambientales adversos y sirve de lista
de verification para el examen periodico del equilibrio ecologico. En el perfodo comprendido entre marzo de 1999
y diciembre de 2003, el costo estimado de production por metro cubico de madera en rollo fuede D 4.278.
La madera en rollo se transforma en madera aserrada, contrachapados, puertas y productos de carpinten’a de
construction en las plantas manufactureras de la empresa. La produccion actual se dirige principalmente al mercado
nacional. La empresa optimiza la utilization de la material prima maderera, comenzando con el area de corta hasta las
plantas de transformation secundaria.
Salvo la plantation forestal mantenida conforme a la licencia IFMA No. R-4-0001, PATECO no tiene otras areas
abiertas ni zonas denudadas. Como parte de su compromiso social, la empresa ha suscrito tambien un memorando de
acuerdo para reforestar sus tierras privadas improductivas. Asimismo, realiza actividades de investigation forestal y
mantiene un sistema de patrullaje para garantizar la protection del bosque y frenar las actividades ilegales. Ademas, la
empresa ha invertido en la conservation ambiental y el manejo de cuencas hidrograficas y aplica medidas de
prevention de incendios forestales.
Entre 1992 y 2003, PATECO pago mas de 121 millones de pesos filipinos en derechos, canones e impuestos
forestales. De este total,. 48,4 millones se dirigieron a las dependencies gubernamentales locales. Asimismo, la
empresa realiza importantes contribuciones socioeconomicas. PATECO anualmente invierte mas de cuatro millones de
pesos filipinos en servicios comunitarios y contribuciones de bienestar social.
La empresa se ha adaptado a los cambios de poffticas y normas y reglamentos operatives de cada nueva
administracion. Mantiene una relation cordial con el DENR y otros organismos. Si bien sus operaciones se ven
limitadas por las actividades ilegales de extraction de madera y las amenazas de grupos insurgentes, ha logrado llevar
a cabo operaciones adecuadas conforme al acuerdo de su licencia de explotacion (TLA). Este acuerdo se vence en el
ano 2006 y la continuidad de las operaciones despues de esa fecha no es segura. La empresa se esta preparando
para to inevitable y esta contemplando la suspension gradual de las operaciones de su TLA y/o su conversion en un
acuerdo IFMA.
El caso de PATECO es un estudio de posibilidades, potencialidades y obstaculos enfrentados por una empresa
privada para lograr la ordenacion forestal sostenible en medio de un entorno institucional y normative inestable. Dadas
las innumerables reformas de directrices producidas con cada cambio de liderazgo politico, se puede decir que
PATECO ha sido mas que exitosa en el cumplimiento de sus objetivos y misiones.
1.0 BACKGROUND
Pacific Timber Export Corporation (PATECO), a holder of Timber License Agreement (TLA) No. 131, is a
private company that has successfully survived the vicissitudes of ever-changing policies of successive
governments related to forestland management. It has ingeniously adjusted to emerging situations and
conformed to the principles of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM).
Located in Dinapigue, Isabela and Dilasag, Aurora, PATECO is one of the remaining sixteen (16) TLAs
existing in the Philippines, and one of the four (4) TLAs with an Integrated Operation Plan approved by the
Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) as of December 31, 2003.
2.0 COMPANY PROFILE AND STRUCTURE
PATECO, a Filipino corporation started in early 1960, is duly organized under the existing laws of the
Republic of the Philippines. It is one of the leading wood-based companies in the country, engaged in
diversified forest activities and integrated wood production, i.e., forest management, logging, industrial tree
plantations, sawmill and plywood plant operations, logs and lumber dealership; and manufacture and
distribution of various wood products.
Since it stated, the company has been engaged in logging activities on a sustainable basis, managing
33,454 hectares (ha) of prime tropical forest located in the provinces of Isabela and Aurora, Philippines. Its
forest cover is considered one of the best and most productive in the country. To maintain a high forest yield,
the company adheres to scientific logging practices such as: selective cutting method, Timber Stand
Improvement (TSI) in residual forest, Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR), maintenance of seedling
nurseries and development of plantation sites for future raw materials base, for its wood processing plants.
It has an efficient manufacturing plant operations integrating down-stream wood processing. Its plant
manufactures doorjambs, window components, staircases and other wood profiles exported to France,
Australia and the Netherlands, when Philippine prices were still competitive. These products are now sold
mainly in the domestic market together with “Masonite” molded doors and regular flush doors. The
sawmilling operations and lumber production services serves as upward linkages to the company’s
integrated operations.
The company has quality plywood manufacturing – TYPE 1 (5.0mm & 3.0mm) and TYPE II (5.0mm
and 18.0mm) under the name ‘PATECO PLY”. It is licensed to use the Philippine Standard Quality
Certification Mark, issued on October 2, 1996.
Today, PATECO has become a major vehicle of growth in Philippine economy and a formidable
business entity that practices Quality Management System, aligned with ISO 9002 standards.
2.1 Affiliated Companies
PATECO’s sister companies are non-timber related. MAN Automotive Concessionaires Corporation, based
in Metro Manila, is the exclusive assembler and distributor of MAN Germany commercial vehicles (trucks
and buses) in the Philippines. Diapitan Resources Development Corporation is an aquaculture company
growing and exporting black tiger prawns to Japan. Its farm and processing plant is in Dilasag, Aurora.
Underwood Development Corporation is an industrial real estate developer located in Meycauayan,
Bulacan. The integrated woodworking plant of PATECO is located in its facility.
2.2 Financing Pattern
The PATECO Group surpassed its growth objectives without relying on hefty loans from lending institutions.
While it has an Omnibus Credit Line with its banker, it does not resort to borrowing unless the management
feels that acquisitions through bank financing are a good buy that will not cost more after the financing cost.
The company has an efficient fabrication and maintenance facility that turns out logging trucks and mobile
yarders out of US army surplus equipment. Bulldozer parts are repaired to near factory standards at very
minimal cost. Except for high precision machines, wood processing equipments are bought second hand,
refurbished and improved.
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2.3
Company Objectives and Activities
a.
Management Objectives
To maintain and develop a permanent wood-based business for the company employees and country; to
enhance and sustain productive condition of its concession area; and to adhere and support government
policies and programs in forest resource management.
b.
Silvicultural Objectives
To harvest only mature, over mature and defective trees allowed for cutting and utilize residual forest area
of the company’s TLA and Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA), leaving adequate residual
stock and providing healthy mother trees as a source of seeds and planting stocks; and to apply TSI,
enrichment planting and ANR to improve growth and produce quality species composition; and to reforests
harvested plantation areas.
c.
Socio-Economic Objectives
To improve the people’s quality of life in the locality by providing employment and basic needs; to provide
livelihood opportunities to community residents, and; to assist in community development.
d.
Environmental Objectives
To enhance and sustain stable environment through appropriate forestry practices and provide adequate
forest protection in the area; to protect and conserve fruit-bearing trees which are wildlife food source; and
to comply with mitigating measures embodied in the company’s Environmental Compliance Certificate
(ECC).
2.4 Pursuing Basic Policies
The company adopts sustained yield forest management and adheres to selective logging system of
operation; conducts rehabilitation on brushlands and allowable clearings within the licensed area; supports
Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) program and other government community-oriented
projects; maximizes utilization of wood materials including logging residues; intensifies protection of timber
concession against all agents of forest destruction; and strictly complies with forest laws, rules and
regulations.
2.5 Personnel Structure and Distribution
As of December 2003, the company employed a total of 422 persons, 342 on a regular status and 100 on
contractual basis. Personnel distribution is as follows: Manila and Meycauayan Office: Administrative Staff
& Sales (including supervisors) – 39, Door & Molding Plant – 78, Plywood & Kiln-Drying Plant – 85, Support
Services (maintenance, delivery drivers, helpers) – 55; Field Offices, Aurora and Isabela: Administrative
Staff – 14, Forestry (including 3 Registered Foresters, forestry assistants, tree markers, concession guards,
etc.) – 32, Logging Operations – 36, Maintenance – 32, Shipping – 20; Saw Mill – 31.
3.0
DETAILS OF THE CONCESSION AREA – TLA 131-1
3.1 Geographical Location
PATECO’s concession is located within 16° 15 min. and 16° 42 min. latitude and 122° and 12° 20 min. longitude
and is covered by the municipalities of Dinapigue, Isabela and Dilasag, Aurora, in the north eastern coast of Luzon.
It is bounded in the north by the IFMA area of Luzon Mahogany Timber Incorporated; in the east by Pacific Ocean;
in the south by Industries Development Corporation; and in the west by Liberty Logging Corporation.
Isabela is an agricultural province that produces coconut, rice, corn and other cash crops. Some of the
remaining vast forest resources of the country are located along its eastern portion facing the Pacific Ocean.
The province of Aurora, also located along the eastern seaboard of Luzon has 70% of its total land area as
forest and logging contributes to its economy as well. Raw materials from other forest products are used for
crafts. Marginal fishing is practiced but this resource is underutilized. Livestock-raising and furniture making
are the other economic activities.
3.2 Composition of the Concession Area
The company’s concession area started with the consolidation of four (4) adjacent and contiguous forest
concessions, namely: (1) Ordinary Timber License (OTL) No. 361-512 CT of PATECO.; (2) OTL No. 36251267, likewise of PATECO; (3) OTL No. 22-63067 of Acoje Mining Co., Inc. and (4) Special Timber License
(STL) No. 133 (’73) of Maru Enterprises, Inc. (MARU). The consolidation of these areas resulted to an
aggregate total area of 37,860 ha (including 3,410 ha of alienable and disposable lands), with an Annual
Allowable Cut (AAC) of 83,695 cubic meters (cum) granted to the company in TLA No. 131-1. The inclusion
of the STL of MARU was protested by then neighboring licensee Consolidated Logging and Lumber Mills,
Inc. (CLLMI) with the Office of the President.
On May 29, 1978, then Pres. Marcos issued Letter of Instruction (LOI) 409 suspending all logging
operations in Central Luzon. Aurora province was included due to reported extensive damage to lives, crops
and properties brought by floods in the region and neighboring provinces. A portion of the concession area
falls within the province of Aurora and it was also suspended. On June 22, 1979, the Forest Management
Bureau (FMB), formerly Bureau of Forest Development, allowed the resumption of logging operations
limiting the area outside Aurora. This reduced the company’s ACC to 24,133 cum.
The company’s TLA was renewed on July 1, 1982 for a 25-year term is until December 31, 2006. The
coverage area is 34,450 ha with annual allowable cut of 46,455 cum. On February 8, 1983, PATECO was
granted an Industrial Tree Plantation Lease Agreement (ITPLA) No. 92, with an area of 4,675 ha segregated
from its TLA area that was reduced to 29,775 ha. It was increased again to 36,125 ha on October 3, 1983,
following the transfer of 6,530 ha from Timber Export, Inc. The additional area which transfer was duly
approved by the then Ministry of Natural Resources, located at San Mariano, Isabela, became PARCEL II
of PATECO.
The President lifted the logging ban in Aurora on May 2, 1984 and PATECO was allowed to continue
its operations. However, it was granted a temporary allowable cut of 12,000 cum pending the outcome of
CMMLI’s protest. In a resolution dated October 26, 1984, the Office of the President dismissed the protest
of CMMLI in favor of PATECO, thereby increasing its annual allowable cut to 29,280 cum.
In 1992, the government mandated the logging operations’ shift from old growth (virgin) forest to
residual forest per Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 24 dated May 3, 1991. Management blocks
were determined for operable residual forest based on ‘years elapsed after logging’ (YEAL). The residual
forest now comprise of blocks designated as Blocks I, II, III, IV, V and VI. The DENR Secretary granted all
timber companies with arbitrary allowable cuts and the company had a temporary allowable cut of 8,042
cum for Block 1. Effectively, this policy penalized companies which preserved their old growth forests. To
meet its log input requirements, the company also imported logs from Ghana.
ITPLA No. 92 in Dilasag, Aurora also underwent changes in structure. On November 7, 1991, the
reversion of an aggregate area of 3,679 ha of adequately-stocked areas and virgin forests from ITPLA No.
92 to TLA No. 131-1, was approved by the DENR Secretary. The area covered by PATECO’s TLA became
39,804 ha while the ITPLA area was reduced to 996 ha. Pursuant to Sec. 20 of DENR Adm. Order No. 42,
Series of 1991, the ITPLA was subsequently converted into IFMA No. R-4-001 on August 5, 1992. The
DENR Regional Office No. 4-Composite Team conducted an inventory in March and April 1995, following
the company’s request on February 23, 1995 for resources inventory. As a result, IFMA was further
classified to consist of 876 ha esidual forest and 120 ha of established plantation.
PATECO, realizing that the arbitrary temporary allowable cut of 8,042 cum was insufficient and
economically unfeasible, embarked on a 10-year Medium Term Timber Management Plan (MTMP). For this
purpose, a Composite Forest Inventory Team (CFIT) was created by virtue of DENR Special Order No. 96827 issued on August 21, 1996, to conduct a timber inventory at 5% statistical sampling method over Blocks
I to VI of the concession area. Out of the 6 blocks, the remaining unlogged area of Block I, the whole Block
II and portion of Block III, are scheduled for logging under a 10-year MTMP. The plan was finally approved
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in 1998 and the company’s ACC was adjusted to 18,228 cum from the Annual Cutting Area (ACA) of 347
ha. The passage into law of the Act creating the Northern Sierra Madre National Park reduced the total area
to 33,454 ha as its PARCEL II with an operable area of 12,134 ha was included in the park expansion. With
this reduction, the ACA of May 2002 was further reduced to 310 ha with an ACC of 16,284 cum.
3.3 Conditions of TLA 131-1
The TLA 131-1 have conditions dealing with the following: Boundaries, surveys and aerial photo coverage;
Changes in area covered in the agreement; Payment of license fee, timber charges and other fees; Security
bond and guarantee (bond) for faithful performance of the terms and conditions of the agreement;
Formation, implementation/adherence of the forest management plan; Limits to allowable cut; Compliance
of laws, rules, regulations and submission of annual concession (performance) report; Employment of
adequate number of trained forestry staff; Employment of protection guards deputed from Government
agency; Undertaking compensatory afforestation/reforestation activities; Protection of concession area form
fires, squatters and kaingeros16; Acquisition and maintenance of adequate amount of machinery and
equipment; Building and maintenance of logging roads conforming to prescribed specifications (logging
roads to become public 5 years after construction); Protection of wildlife; Conservation of bio-diversity;
Timber measurement (scaling) by designated authority; Admission of private rights within concession area;
Cooperation with government agencies and assistance to administrative and scientific activities; Sale of
stipulated percentage of stocks/shares to employees and public; Limitations for foreign technicians;
Restrictions to sub-contract activities; Privileges to be allowed to the public and surrounding communities;
Penalty for violation of conditions; and Compensation to be paid for damages to residual growth.
The agreement also includes special rules on: Silviculture (tree marking, residual growing stock, relogging prohibition, yarding, roading, harvest operations, skid trails, landing sites, protected trees, seed
trees, stream bank protection); Utilization (selection system, tree sizes, stump height, merchantable tops,
bucking, hauling, etc.); Protection (fire protection, watershed conservation, maintenance of experimental
plots, stream buffers, road gradients, slash burning, etc.) and Other Aspects (easement rights, prior permit
to extract Narra and other prohibited hardwood species).
4.0 FOREST RESOURCE BASE
The concession area is categorized into: (i) protection forest (20,453 ha of old growth, mossy, river embankments,
buffer zones, 50% slopes and up, rock and wilderness areas); and (ii) production forests (13,100 ha of natural
residual forests and plantation forest). The protection forests are strictly for conservation purposes. Production
forests are subdivided into management blocks for sustainable timber harvesting and silvicultural activities.
Including 996 ha under IFMA No. R 4-001, PATECO’s total production area is 13,997 ha.
4.1
Locality Factors
a.
Geology and Soil
The geological composition of the soil in the concession area consists mainly of volcanic rocks (3.31%); the
rest is recent alluvium (6.35%), shale/sandstone (10.16%) and siltstone. In alluvial plains, the soil type is
moderately loamy which allows permeability. Elsewhere, the soil is from shale/sandstone and siltstone
forming shallow clay loam soils with slow infiltration and permeability. Large areas with volcanic residues
have moderately deep clay loam soils with moderate infiltration and permeability.
b.
Topography
It has moderate to rugged terrain, the highest elevation ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 meters above sea level. This
constitutes 14% of the total concession area. The largest portion is between 500 to 1,000 meters above sea level.
The highest portion is found on the Isabela side, where the apex of the Sierra Madre Mountain ranges separate
the eastern and western part of the area. The slope of the concession is predominantly gentle and moderate. Steep
portions (above 50%) are found near large water bodies such as main rivers and the seaside.
16
Kaingeros are people engaged in kaingin (slash and burn of forest and conversion to agricultural purpose) or shifting cultivation.
c.
Hydrology
The PATECO area is mainly drained by river bodies with innumerable tributaries. It is traversed by the
bigger Dinapigue and Diden Rivers, flowing along the eastern side. Most rivers and creeks in the area are
prone to rapid swelling many times the normal size after heavy rains. The water holding capacity of the forest
is greatly reduced with the dense vegetation.
d.
Climate
The area falls under the “Fourth Climatic Type”. The highest average precipitation occurs during the months
of August at 250 millimeters (mm.) and lowest during February at 20 mm. The normal dry months are from
February to August and rain falls from September to late January. The average temperature ranges from
20°C in January and February, and 37°C in May.
4.2
Type and Extent of Forest Resource
a.
Forest Types
The area consists mainly of natural Dipterocarp forest (tropical rainforest), the specie providing a dense
canopy in the upper storey. The mid-level is composed of pole-size Depterocarps and other species. The
lowest layers are undergrowths such as palms, weed species and the like. The predominant species are the
Bagtikan (Parashorea plicata), Mayapis (Shorea squamata), Red Lauan (S. negrosensis) and Tanguile
(Shorea polysperma). Non-dipterocarp species with Ulayan (Philippine oak) also abound in the area. The
mossy forest (1,000 meters above sea level) is characterized by stunted trees with an abundance of
epiphytes/moss that covers trunks and branches of most trees.
b.
Area by Category
Table 1 shows the Vegetative Cover of PATECO’s LTA 131-1 (Dinapigue, Isabela and Dilasag, Aurora) and
IFMA No. R4-001 (Dilasag, Aurora).
Table 1. Vegetative cover
CATEGORY
1. Non-Production Areas (TLA 131-1)
1.1 Old Growth (Virgin) Forest
1.2 Mossy Forest
1.3 Sub-Marginal Forest
1.4 Stream Bank Protection, Buffer Zone & >50%
1.5 Rocky Areas (minimal vegetation)
1.6 Wilderness Area
1.6.1 Old Growth Forest
1.6.2 Second Growth (Residual Forest)
TOTAL NON-PRODUCTION AREAS
PARCEL I
Dilasag, Aurora (ha) DinapigueIsabela (ha) TOTAL (ha)
3 852
1 724
1 661
280
(280)
7 517
6 574
1 706
1 788
1 248
228
1 392
(696)
(696)
12 936
10 426
3 430
1 788
2 909
228
1 672
(976)
(696)
20 453
Sub-Total
Area Logged within Block I
Brushland
TOTAL PRODUCTION AREAS
225
311
242
519
1 297
318
148
1 763
765
2 018
2 299
2 458
1 153
2 175
10 868
360
10
11 238
990
2 329
2 299
2 458
1 395
2 694
12 165
678
158
13 001
3. Production Area (IFMA No. R4-001)
3.1 Second Growth (Residual) Forest
3.2 Plantation Forest
TOTAL PRODUCTION OF IFMA AREA
GRAND TOTAL
876
120
996
10 276
24 174
876
120
996
34 450
2. Production Areas (TLA 131-1)
2.1 Second Growth (Residual) Forest
2.1.1 Block I
2.1.2 Block II
2.1.3 Block III
2.1.4 Block IV
2.1.5 Block V
2.1.6 Block VI
2.2
2.3
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c.
Forest Growing Stock
The largest number of trees with 20-50 cm. diameter constitutes about 88.47% of the total stand. Under the
common hardwood species, predominant are Bagtikan, Tanguile and Mayapis; while in construction and
furniture group, Apitong (Dipterocarpus grandiflores) has the highest number. The most common nondipterocarp species are Ulayan, Malaruhat (Cleistocalyx operculatus), Narra (Pterocarpus indicus),
Bitanghol (Calphyllum blancoi) and Tibig (Ficus nota).
d.
Stand Structure and Stocking
The average volume per ha of Blocks I, II, III, IV, V and VI residual forest is 166.23 cu. m. for all species 20
cms. and bigger. Common hardwoods have an average of 114.03 cum per ha. Construction and furniture
woods yield an average of 20.85 cum. Light hardwood and matchwood species account for 1.81 cum. And
there are about 15.93 cum of lesser-used species and 6.11 cum of premium species per ha. These
information on forest stocks are presented in the “Report on the Ground Truthing”, prepared by SUSTECH
and timber inventory of operable residual forest in TLA No. 131-1 of PATECO (CFIT, 1997)
4.3 Forest Resource Management
Silvicultural basis for management of TLA areas has been the conventional selection system, while IFMA
areas are under the TSI system and enrichment planting, as well as raising of plantation under the system
of clear felling and artificial regeneration.
5.0 PATECO’S FOREST MANAGEMENT HISTORY
Since the beginning of its operation, the company managed its forest resources using the concept/principle
of multiple use and sustained yield. Selective logging is strictly followed. Likewise, forest development and
environmental enhancement measures are implemented. Then and now, timber extractions are done using
combination of truck hauling and tractor skidding. High-lead yarding is never used to avoid destructive
effects in the forest.
The timber extracted and utilized by the company belongs to the common hardwoods (Dipterocarp
species), construction and furniture woods, light hardwoods, some softwoods and lesser-used species
(LUS). The company strictly adheres to the government restriction on cutting of premium and banned
species. The company has delineated and maintained the boundary of the timber concession with paints,
markings and signs on the ground to effectively set up an appropriate management scheme.
5.1 TLA in Secondary or Residual Forests
With the enforcement of the log ban in old growth forests, TLA operation was confined to residual production
forests. To facilitate management planning of the secondary forests, it was classified and divided into
management blocks based on YEAL of the areas while in its old growth (virgin) status, as specified in DENR
DAO No. 24 of 1991.
5.2 Division into Management Blocks
PATECO established stratification in management blocks for residual logging forests. The new scheme
adopted is pursuant DAO No. 24 of 1991. Management blocks were determined for the operable residual
forest based on YEAL, comprised of Blocks I, II, III, IV, V and VI.
5.3 Land Use Plan
With the shift of logging operation from the old growth (virgin) forests to second growth forest, distinction is
established between protection and production forests.
Protection forests are located at high elevations (1,000 m and above) or on very steep slopes (50%
and above). Also included are all old growth forests and sub-marginal forests and critical watersheds; areas
previously set aside as wilderness, military and watershed reservations; areas with historical value; and
others proclaimed for ecological, environmental and scientific purposes. The conservation and rehabilitation
of these areas are so essential that construction of roads, logging operations and other forms of exploitation
are strictly prohibited.
Production forests comprise areas outside the specified protection forest. These are the second growth
(residual) forest below 1,000 m. elevation and on slopes with less than 50% gradient. Developmental and
utilization forest activities are in line with the DENR mandate to manage the natural forest on a sustainable
basis.
6.0 MANAGEMENT PLANNING
PATECO’s management of TLA No. 131-1 is based on: (i) 10-Year (1997-2006) Medium Term Timber
Management Plan (MTTMP); (ii) 5-Year (May 2001-April 2006) Integrated Operations Plan (IOP); and (iii)
Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). These are approved by the DENR and are consistent with the
agency’s guidelines. IOPs are normally for one year but it can be prepared for a term of more than one year
if the proponent has an approved FMP. In 1999-2001, PATECO operated on a 2-year IOP basis. The current
IOP is a 5-year plan and as specified by DENR, it shall be reviewed annually without prejudice to further
amendments if necessary.
6.1 Ten-year Medium Term Timber Management Plan, 1997-2006
This is the company’s guide in conducting timber harvesting operations and scheduling of silvicultural
treatments in accordance with the prescribed policies and regulations to attain SFM objectives, in
consonance with government policy directions.
6.2 Forest Resource Inventory
In preparing the 10-year MTTMP, timber inventory was conducted in the area following DAO No.24 of 1991
guidelines and amended provisions of Sec. 24 of PD 705. A statistical sampling method at 5% sampling was
undertaken within the second growth (residual) forests – Block I, II, III, IV, V & VI. The different management
blocks were reviewed and evaluated based on forest resources condition maps prepared in 1969 and 1980;
and SPOT Satellite Land Use maps prepared by NAMRIA based on the 1987 and 1988 SPOT satellite data.
Prior to ground survey and verification, the coverage of operable and inoperable areas were determined and
delineated on the map.
Inventory sampling design at 5% sampling was conducted over Block I to VI. Each plot had a
dimension of 20 x 50 m. (0.1 ha). The number of regeneration (seedlings with a diameter of 0 to 5 cm) and
saplings (diameter of 6 cm to 15 cm) were determined from sub-plots with a dimension of 2 x 2 m., and 5
x 5 m. respectively. Trees with a diameter at breast height/diameter above buttress (dbh/dab) of 16 cm and
larger were tallied within the plot.
The inventory was conducted by the CFIT created under DENR Special Order No. 98-827, dated
August 21, 1996. The team was composed of DENR personnel from the Forest Management Bureau (FMB)
and CENRO representatives from Palanan, Isabela and Casiguran, Aurora, assisted by the company, in
August-November 1996. The total gross area covered by the inventory was 22,264 ha. Ground truthing and
timber inventory results showed that the operable residual forest, Block I to VI, contains some 12,652 ha.
The non-operable area is 9,613 ha of old growth, mossy forest and non-production second growth forest,
and those with 50% slope and steeper.
6.3 Cutting System
Timber extraction in the area follows selective logging practice, harvesting only trees of prescribed diameter
limit and allowable volume of timber in the second growth forest. A sufficient number of healthy mothertrees are left to be the source of seeds and future planting stocks. The method of regulating the allowable
cut is by area-volume control.
6.4 Yield Regulation
ACA and AAC were estimated based on the inventory mentioned above. The cutting budget of the
company’s TLA from 1997 to 2006 is stipulated in its approved MTTMP. With respect to IFMA No. R4-001,
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the cutting plan for the area of natural residual forest is in accordance with its approved Comprehensive
Development Management Plan (CDMP).
6.5 Salient Features of Management Plan
The 10-year management plan confines cutting only in Blocks I, II, III of the residual forests in Parcel I in
consonance with DAO 24, series of 1991. The practice of selective logging system shall be continuously
implemented. For the duration of the plan, the company shall log a total area of 3,470 ha with a
corresponding regulated volume of 182,280 cum. A 20% timber inventory within the ‘areas programmed for
logging operations (APLO) shall be conducted to determine the annual cut. TSI shall be conducted in lieu
of reforestation of open and denuded areas. The annual goal will be twice the area programmed for logging
operation in consonance with DAO 01 of 1991. A total area of 6,200 ha is programmed for the duration of
the plan. The company will protect the area by strengthening its manpower; provide logistic support to its
forest patrol, fire, forest pest, diseases control and enforce forest laws. It will emphasize the protection and
management of watershed areas inside the concession. Under the plan, the company will co-ordinate with
ERBD and other government research agencies in conducting forestry research activities.
6.6
Plan Revision
The MTTMP and CDMP serve as guides for systematic and well managed operations of the TLA and IFMA
areas. However, any deviation and/or modification in the approved plans will be submitted to DENR for
approval before implementation. Any change in government policy can be a cause for revision, amendment
and adjustment of the plans.
6.7
Five-year Integrated Operations Plan
Within the provisions of the 10-year MTTMP, PATECO’s 5-Year IOP for TLA 131-1 specifies the extent of
the areas to be logged and the corresponding volume to be harvested and period of operation. The
approved IOP includes a proviso that whenever favorable market conditions exist, the company may
exceed its annual regulated cut and ACA by ten percent (10%) in any year within the 5-year period, provided
that total AAC for the period shall not be exceeded at the end of the 5th year operation. It also stipulates
that the company should allocate at least 10% of total log/lumber production to local wood
manufacturers/processors. It further reiterates and underlines the important conditions of the TLA relating
to SFM, environmental conservation and social obligations.
7.0 ANNUAL LOGGING PLAN & PRE-LOGGING REQUIREMENTS
The annual logging plan, incorporating the set-up plans specifies annual logging areas (compartments) and
set-ups defined by grid blocks. Further, it provides for pre-logging inventory, tree marking, location of logging
camps and log landings; building and maintenance of logging roads, spur roads, skid trials, bridges and
culverts; conservation measures, etc. The AAC is regulated by area-volume control.
To achieve the sustained yield objectives, selective logging system is followed. Tree marking are done
before any logging activity is undertaken. Only trees specified for cutting under DAO No. 12, S-1992 are
subjected to timber harvesting. Trees of 20-40 cms and 50% of trees with 60 cms DBH will be protected
and allowed to develop for the next cutting cycle. Some of the important pre-logging requirements are the
following:
7.1 Conduct of 20% Timber Inventory
All areas programmed for logging operation requires the conduct of timber inventory at 20% intensity to
determine the sustainable annual cut of the area.
7.2
Tree Marking Procedures
a.
Establishment of set-up boundary
The boundary of a logging set-ups are properly established on the ground by marking/painting of double
bands on trees. This serves as a guide and control measure during actual operation.
b.
Layout of spur roads, skid ways and log landings
Spur roads, skid ways and log landings, with its prescribed width and area, are pre-laid on the ground in
order to minimize damage to the forest.
c.
Pre-marking Sampling
A sampling check is always conducted inside the set-up in order to get the number of trees of commercial
species to be cut and to serve as basis in the computation of marking goal, following the DAO No. 12, S.
1992 formula.
d.
Marking of Trees to be cut
Trees for cutting are marked simultaneously with the marking of residual trees. The trees are painted on the
side with an arrow indicating the direction of the fall, to prevent minimal damage to the residual stand.
e.
Trees to be left as Residuals
Residual trees are marked in consecutive order by painting the number on the tree at an appropriate height
from ground level. In cases where the number of marked trees is less than the computed total marking goal,
the crew goes back to the set-up to mark more trees until the goal is achieved. The marking of residual trees
is distributed evenly throughout the logging set-ups. The following rules are observed: (i) Residual in the
direction of fall of the tree marked to be felled is not marked; and (ii) No residual trees are marked on prelaid skidways and other allowable clearings.
7.3
Logging Operations
a.
Logging Operations Plan
PATECO was the first to be granted a multi-year IOP in the Philippines. The 5-year IOP, derived from the
approved 10-year MTTMP, is strictly implemented. Any amendment is subject to prior approval before
implementation. Pursuant to existing policies, recovery and utilization of logging waste are done
immediately after logging. For the 10-year period, logging operations are confined only to the second growth
(residual forest, Blocks I, II and portion off Block III) with slopes below 50% and at elevations of less than
1,000 meters above sea level.
b.
Timber Extraction Method
The company follows a selective logging system with directional felling, removes the logs from the cutting
area using of a combination truck hauling and tractor skidding. Prior to actual operations, the company
follows the prescribed procedures for timber harvesting operation. Harvesting is done under the following
techniques: (i) Bataan17 Logging System – use of mobile wrecker/yarder having 175 horsepower engines,
either mounted on trucks or on skids, used in areas of rough and broken terrain. This system minimizes the
need for roads and is less damaging to the forest; and (ii) Ground Skidding – tractor skidders are used to
skid logs on comparatively flat or moderately sloping terrain.
17 Bataan is a province in western Luzon where this system of logging originated. Small mobile yarders/winches and self-loading
trucks are employed in this method of log extraction. With the ban of high-lead yarding in the country, this system became very popular
and has been adopted by many logging companies.
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7.4
Logging Infrastructure
a.
Accessibility
PATECO’s logging operation area, up to the cutting area is accessible by land transport. Since the early
‘60s, the company has constructed a total network of 112 km. of all-weather roads. Bridges and culverts
were also constructed with the least impairment to forest resources. Indigenous upland dwellers also use
the roads.
b.
Existing Road Network:
Owing to the present logging policy, the company no longer constructs new roads for the period covered in
its 10-year MTTMP. Instead, all existing roads used in current operations are rehabilitated and maintained.
The company follows the prescribed standards in the repair and maintenance of the existing road network
inside the concession area. As the need arises, gravelling and clearing of the drainage system is undertaken
on a regular basis. Severely eroded stream banks and road sides are stabilized by structural and vegetative
measures. Likewise, bridges and culverts are repaired or replaced on a need basis. Previously abandoned
roads needed in the programmed forest development activities are restored and used and those no longer
utilized are planted with trees.
c.
Equipment Employed:
As of December 2002, the company’s equipment inventory showed: 14 bulldozers, 7 log loaders, 6 pay
loaders, 6 forklifts, 2 road graders, 1 wheel skidder, 27 logging trucks, 5 dump trucks, 4 skid-mounted
yarders/winches, 7 service vehicles and many chainsaws, used for logging operations. The number of
logging equipment and machinery conforms to the DENR prescribed policy and regulations. No additional
equipment/machinery is used without prior authority from DENR. All equipment and machinery are company
owned and marked.
d.
Felling and Bucking:
The company uses power chainsaws and wedges for felling. Fellers are equipped with protective headgears
and other safety devices. Felled trees are bucked to specific log lengths and maximum utilization of each
tree is implemented.
f.
Log Yarding/Skidding:
The company employs skid-mounted stationary yarders/winches and tractors for yarding/skidding. Crawler
tractors are used on moderate terrain, while skid-mounted stationary yarders/winches are engine-powered
with less than 200 HP. Short cables are used in areas where the employment of tractor skidders is not
feasible.
g.
Log Loading, Handling and Un-loading:
Reo18 5-tonner and 2 -tonner logging trucks are used primarily in transporting logs from the cutting area to
the log pond. On moderate terrain, trailers hitched to prime movers are employed in hauling logs. Loading
and unloading of logs are done with the use of grapple wheel loaders.
Logs and sawn timber are transported by the company’s LCT (landing craft transport) vessel to
Gumaca, Quezon where the transshipment depot is located. The products are unloaded and transferred to
prime movers and trailers, and transported to the plywood plant and integrated mill site in Maycauayan,
Bulacan.
8.0 ANNUAL ALLOWABLE CUT VS. PERMISSIBLE CUT
AAC is represented by regulated cut from the approved annual cutting area including Narra trees extracted
from the area based on special permit. Permissible cut includes AAC plus unregulated cut coming from
tractor and skid routes and other approved clearings as well as useable logging wastes.19
18
19
Reo trucks are the common names given to US army M35 trucks demilitarized and reinforced for heavy transport.
As per the 10-year MTTMP, the AAC is 18,228 cum and considers a volume of useable logging waste equivalent to 30% of the AAC.
The volume of unregulated cut is estimate at 5,468 cum thereby resulting to a total permissible cut of 23,698 cum.
8.1 Actual Volume Logged Against ACC
Actual volume logged is influenced by various factors. The company’s log harvest for the period 1992 to
2002 has been close to the prescribed cut.
From 1992-1996, PATECO’s allowable cut was based on an interim AAC granted by DENR. With the
approval of its 10-Year Timber Management Plan (TMP) in 1997, the company’s authorized cut was raised
to a realistic benchmark volume of 18,300 cum. This was based on the results of actual 5% statistical
inventory of its timber resources. The exact AAC is derived based on the results of a 20% inventory of actual
areas programmed for operation for the year.
Due to several influencing factors (administrative, security, strategic), there are years when the
authorized volume was not harvested. In 1997, the cut volume for the year was a measly 8% of the
approved ACC as a result of the 7-month delay in the issuance of ECC for logging operations and approval
of its Annual Operating Plan. PATECO was one of the two companies first granted the ECC for logging. The
business environment was relatively favorable in subsequent years. For the years 1998 to 2002, the
company was able to cut nearly the entire volume of its AAC except for 2001 when it was only able to
produce 11,015.71 cum or 60% of its approved cut. Authorized by the DENR, a Timber Drain Study (TDS)
was conducted in coordination with the FMB and some logging wastes were reclassified and considered
marketable timber and made part of the allowable cut. PATECO initiated the very first study of this kind on
residual forest. To date, DENR has not formally approved the results. In 2000, 2,924 cum of logs were
extracted from plantations covered by IFMA No. R4-001.
The company stopped operations for 8 months after rebels burned its machinery in December 2002.
Operation was resumed in August 2003, only to stop towards the end of October, again, due to threats from
the New People’s Army because the company has refused to pay “revolutionary taxes”.
8.2 Cost of Production
For the period March 1999 to December 2003, the estimated product cost per cum was Php 4,278.00. This
amount includes the expenses for TSI, enrichment planting, research, environmental protection, community
service contributions, labor, road maintenance, forest taxes and other fees.
8.3 Resource Utilization Plans
It is a company policy to maximize utilization of wood materials including wastes or residues, both in the
cutting area and in the processing plants. Harvested trees are cut at the base of the buttress nearest to the
ground. Quality control is observed in proper log bucking. Logging residues, i.e., tops, branches, stumps,
log ends and knocked down trees are salvaged. A portion of logging wastes is given to a cooperative in
Dinapigue, Isabela for processing into crating materials, vegetable boxes and as well as for charcoal
production.
8.4 Waste Utilization
Logging wastes is estimated at about 30% of the sawlog volume. In support of the company’s sustainable
forest resource management thrust, recoverable wastes are processed. For the year 1999-2000, of the
estimated volume was 9,661 cum, 6,000 cum was processed to wood products; 2,000 cum converted into
charcoal as a livelihood project; and 1,661cum used as fuel wood for the company’s boilers. The TDS is a
company initiative to maximize waste recovery.
9.0
POST HARVEST OPERATION
9.1 Timber Stand Improvement
TSI activities, considered the critical phase in selective logging system, are undertaken in the residual
stands to improve the growth, quality and species composition. It follows the guidelines embodied in existing
government regulations, e.g., BFD Circular No. 48 of 1983 and DENR Memorandum Circular No. 19 of
1989.
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Basically, TSI consist of refining and liberation cutting. Refining involves cutting of climbers and
elimination of poor quality trees. Liberation cutting is the process of releasing potential crop trees from
competition posed by older trees through girdling.
During the period 1992-1996, the company treated 1,470 ha forest for TSI, at the rate of about 300 ha
per year. Subsequently, the treated areas have more than doubled. In 2000, the treated area totaled 694 ha.
9.2 Enrichment Planting
Enrichment or supplemental planting is done in areas with poor timber stand, along road sides, within
abandoned log landings, skid ways and in other allowable clearings made during the logging operation. The
actual extent of enrichment planting depends on the area that requires treatment. Prior to 1997, the
company implemented enrichment planting in over 82 ha using Narra and Dipterocarp wildlings. Cultural
treatment, i.e. girdling, weeding and cutting of vines was also done.
In 1998-1999, supplemental planting was done using Narra, Gmelina arborea as well as fruit bearing
trees (guava, papaya) intended for wildlife food in an aggregate area of approximately 25 ha per year. In
2000, enrichment planting using Dipterocarp species and Gmelina arborea was done in over approximately
15 ha.
9.3 Reforestation
The timber concession area has no brushlands, open and denuded areas, where a reforestation program
can be implemented as brushland areas are located in rocky portions and not suited for reforestation
However, these areas are treated by assisted natural regeneration. In plantations, replanting is done after
harvesting operations.
The company is dedicated to a “greener environment” and as part of its social commitment; the
company has entered into Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) with private land owners within the vicinity of
the concession area, whereby the company reforests portions of their idle lands. At the moment a total of
347 ha have been reforested. About 50 ha a year are subjected to this scheme. In accordance with DAO
No.01 of 1991, the company also doubled its goal on TSI.
10.0 FOREST PROTECTION
10.1 Forest Patrol
To institute better forest protection, the company divided its concession area into 4 forest patrol sectors and
21 concession guards are deployed for effective forest protection. The patrol teams are provided with VHF
radio transceivers for quick communication. Sixteen guards patrol respective sectors on extended hours to
ensure continuous monitoring. Strategic checkpoints were established to curb poaching in the forest and
prevent other forest destructions. Forest law enforcement in PATECO is efficient and effective. To boost the
system, company aircrafts conduct periodic aerial patrol and reports any sightings of possible encroachment
and forest fires.
10.2 Forest Fire Prevention
Historically, no forest fires have occurred within the natural forest zones of the concession area.
Nonetheless, preventive measures are continuously implemented. Greenbelts and/or firebreaks were
established and fire brigades are mobilized especially during dry season. Look-out towers at vantage points
are maintained.
10.3 Fire Detection & Preparedness for Fire-Suppression
To detect forest fires quickly, 7 existing look-out towers located in the highest points inside the concession
are continuously manned. Five (5) look-out towers are located in Diagyan, Dilasag, Aurora and two (2) are
in Dinapigue, Isabela. Forest protection officers trained on forest fire fighting and control, are provided with
adequate fire fighting equipment and deployed in fire prone areas.
11.0 CONTROL OF FOREST PEST AND DISEASES
Regular inspection of the forest is done to detect any breeding of pests and diseases so that it can be dealt
with immediately and suitably. This is a routine activity of the timber management, reforestation, survey and
protection crews.
12.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
12.1 Watershed Management
Big rivers traverse the concession area, some of which are potential sources of hydroelectric power and
water supply for industrial/domestic use. Sufficient forest cover is maintained in the areas to ensure
continuous water yield. To prevent or minimize soil erosion, the following measures are undertaken: (1)
Implementation of selective logging system to maintain forest cover; (2) Enrichment planting along
roadside, log landings, skid ways and inadequately-stocked areas; (3) Construction and maintenance of
drainage canals and culverts in road system; (4) Application of structural/vegetative stabilizing measures on
roadsides and other potential erosion areas; (5) Strict prohibition of cutting of trees on very steep and
unstable slopes; (6) Strict observance of prescribed road standards; (7) “No Touch” policy of river banks (20
meters on both sides); (8) Prevention of kaingin and illegal cutting.
12..2 Water Supply Control Measures
The following measures are observed to maintain water supply: (1)Prevention of kaingin and illegal cutting;
(2) Logging waste management to maintain free flow of water in rivers and creeks; (3) Maintenance of all
drainage systems, culverts and bridges; and (4) Construction of water-retaining dams and check dams to
reduce the water current in certain portion of rivers.
12..3 Wildlife and Recreation Management
The company cooperates with the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau in enforcing game and wildlife rules
and regulations. Areas with recreational and aesthetic values, i.e., waterfalls, springs and scenic spots are
maintained and protected for eco-tourism purposes.
12..4 Forest Research and Education
PATECO’s Forestry Department coordinates with Ecosystem Research & Development Bureau (ERDB) and
other government research agencies, particularly the DENR Regional Offices concerned with the conduct
of research regarding: (1) Growth & yield studies of “third growth” dipterocarp forest w/ DENR Reg. 2; (2)
Utilization of predominant LUS/LKS inside the concession area; (3) Community Forest Program feasibility
study with CBFM unit of FMB.
Results of studies conducted are made available to concerned government agencies/institutions. The
company also has a Forestry Professorial Chair at the College of Forestry, University of the Philippines, Los
Banos, Laguna; and has stand-by funds for worthwhile research undertakings. Forestry and agricultural
students, numbering more than 20 a year, are accommodated in the concession area for their “practicum”
and on-the-job training.
12..5 Wood Utilization
The company exported part of its log production until the total log export ban was implemented in 1987. The
bulk of volume harvested were processed into lumber at its sawmill, while some are processed into plywood
by Philippine Plywood Corp., (processing agreement ended November 1995) and at its veneer and plywood
plant at Meycauayan, Bulacan.
Logs processed include the company’s own log production, purchased logs and recovered logging
wastes. From 1998 onwards, lumber and plywood were mostly processed into builder’s woodworks and
doors. In addition to its numerous distributors nationwide, the company also opened 2 retail outlets in Metro
Manila to market its wooden products and doors. Direct sales to end-users have improved the company
profit earnings and thus, there are plans to open more such outlets.
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12.6 Capacity and Log Requirement of Existing Processing Plants
Currently, the company has 2 band-sawmill plants in Dilasag, Aurora. One is a locally- fabricated bandmill
with a daily rated capacity of 18,000 board feet, and the other, a Japanese-made automated sawmill with a
daily rated capacity of 25,000 board feet. Annual log requirement of these facilities are 12,225 cum and
16,980 cum respectively. Due to the reduced allowable cut, only the Japanese-made sawmill is put in
operation because of the saw quality and the small number of laborers employed.
Almost all of the lumber production is absorbed by PATECO’s wood processing plant in Meycauayan,
Bulacan, to produce lumber core, remanufactured lumber (finger-jointed and laminated), flush type and
molded doors, jambs, staircases, base boards, cornices, balusters and other moldings.
12.7 Products and Product Marketing
The integrated wood working plant was set up in 1990 as a joint-venture firm with a French window-maker
company. Products were mainly windows and stair components, which were exported to the French partner.
With a tremendously high operating cost because of the presence of French expatriates, the project ceased
operation after 4 years.
From the technology and lessons learned, PATECO resumed operations at significantly lower overhead
costs. Waste materials previously discarded were utilized and processed with much value added. With trade
assistance from the Dutch government, export of moldings was resumed to Europe, particular The
Netherlands. Other finished products were exported to Australia.
Since the value of export products became uncompetitive, the production shifted to cater to the
domestic market. Lessons learned from manufacturing value-added goods from recovered waste and
utilization prompted the company to find other end products. Eventually, it bought Craftmaster brand door
skins, previously produced by Masonite International Corporation of the US. Finger-jointed quality lumber
and lower-grade lumber are used between door facings. The PATECO door was well accepted by the market
and demand for supply grew. Last year, the Craftmaster brand was relinquished by Masonite. PATECO
molded doors now bear the Masonite brand, sold to nationwide distributors and to end-users in the
company’s retail store outlets.
The plywood plant produces panels mainly for its flush door manufacturing and continues to sell full size
plywood panels and lumber-core boards to its distributors. Other sawn lumber sizes are still being sold to
lumber yards.
12.8 Non-Wood Forest Products
The forest is abundant with other products like rattan, resin-producing trees and other minor forest products.
The company recognizes the value of such products as well the importance of conserving them, and
cooperates with DENR in enforcing regulations on non-wood forest products (NWFP). The company also
assists in research projects of government agencies for the propagation and improvement of NWFPs.
13.0 PATECO’S ECONOMIC, SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRIBUTION
13.1 Capital Value
PATECO recorded a consistent “capital gains” trend resulting from proper forest management which is
favorable for the sustained development of the resource. The company’s TSI/ANR treatments have
significantly contributed to the growth of the forest resource.
The company conducted a study on non-wood products like rattan and its significant contribution as a
regular source of livelihood for non-employees, specifically the Palanan Rattan Gatherers Association
(PRGA). The association’s beneficiaries are some 25 Agta20 tribal families who depend on rattan-gathering
for their major source of income. Rattan gathering had generated resource rents valued at PhP8.130 M, in
constant 1987 prices from 1987-1996. The amount is probably underestimated since valuation is based on
recorded rattan extraction at the DENR Substation in Dinapigue, Isabela and of PRGA. Other non-wood
products like resins, gums or exudates, and wildlife gathering were not included in the study due to lack of
market value data.
20
Agta- indigenous people living in the Sierra Madre Mountain ranges in the island of Luzon. They are part of the Philippine Negrito
group who have phenotypically different features: darker skin pigmentation, fuzzy or wooly hair and smaller body size.
13.2 Social Benefit Cost Analysis
PATECO conducted a Natural Resource Accounting (NRA) and Social Benefit Cost Analysis (SBCA). The
SCBA for the logging operations included indirect benefits such as income increments and business profit
increments from business transactions of the company. From 1987-2003, annual income increments
generated was PhP51.2 M, for the unskilled, semi-skilled and professional sectors in the locality. The
business profit increments generated from company purchases for parts/supplies/materials and fuel/oil/
lubricants used in the operations amounted to PhP70.599 M in current values.
The SCBA results showed substantial benefits to society as a result of private investment in the logging
operations. The direct costs borne by the company provided a mechanism to effectively protect the forest,
increased the resource stock and ensured multiple use and sustainable development.
The Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) is very substantial, an indication that society stands to
benefit from the presence of the logging operations. This is confirmed by the large Net Present Value (NPV)
of PhP78.234 M and PhP59.47 M, respectively for the two social discount rates of 15% and 20% used in
the analysis as against the Financial Internal Rate of Return (FIRR) of only 23% and NPVs of PhP16.004
M and Php4.809 M accrued directly to the firm. The Net Present Value is an indicator of the net wealth
created from the logging operations.
13.3 Employment and Income to Local Communities
Presently, a total of about 340 personnel are regularly employed throughout the various aspects of the
company’s business activities. It is supported by unspecified number of seasonal employees hired in
response to the high demand orders for local and foreign buyers. Local people get a fair share of company
employment and further benefited by income in secondary service activities. Company housing and utilities,
health and educational benefits for children are provided.
13.4 Government Revenue
PATECO contributes to government revenues through forest charges, fees and taxes. During the period
1992 to 2003, the company paid forest charges that ranged from PHP 4.6M to more than PHP 18M. In 1997,
as a result of low production, the company paid less than PHP 2M. Over the 10-year period, the company
paid nearly PHP 121M and 40% or PHP 48.4M of which is shared among local government units.
14.0 COMMUNITY SERVICES
The company upholds the policy of “giving-back” to the community the benefit it reaped from utilization of
the locality’s natural resources. Through the company’s community service program, funds are allocated
and materials/supplies are donated to assist communities adjacent to PATECO and adjoining barangays.21
Included in the program are material donations for repairs of school buildings, health and cultural
centers and recreational facilities; assistance and construction supplies for DENR field offices in Casiguran
and Palanan; construction and maintenance of public roads and bridges; employment/livelihood program;
medical/health and anti-malaria program; seedling donations; financial assistance and accommodation of
forestry field studies. In mid 1990s, the company spent over PHP 3M on community services. In 1998, PHP
5.3M; and from 2000 onwards, it was averaged at PHP 4M annually.
14.1 Community-Based Forestry Activities
The company initiated a community-based forestry project in 1994 by way of MOA with farmers/landowners
for the tree planting in their idle lands. To date, there are 125 families from Isabela who actively participate
in the program that has resulted to planting of trees in 347.25 ha of erstwhile idle lands. Acceptance to the
program is still open to tree-farmers in the locality.
Since the issuance of PATECO’s TLA, there have not been any forest occupants in the area except for
indigenous nomadic tribes like the Agtas, some of whom are now employed as surveying guides and
concession guards. They are allowed their traditional way of life of wildlife hunting for subsistence and
customary spiritual offerings.
21
Barangay is the smallest government unit in the Philippines and each municipality is so sub-divided. It is the primary planning and
action unit of government programs and projects. It is a forum for the collective opinion of a community.
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14.2 Forest Information and Extension
Information campaigns are effectively carried out to individuals, groups or families. Company officers,
foresters and concession guards conduct dialogues, seminars and meetings with potential forest occupants
and poachers. Pertinent forest laws, rules and regulations, particularly against the practice of kaingin, are
discussed and explained to prevent violation. Forest protection and conservation billboards/posters are
displayed prominently on entry points to the forest zones and in other strategic places.
A consultant group conducts orientation seminars to personnel and workers on the Agta culturetraditional way of life, beliefs and value systems, migratory patterns and roles of men and women. With
understanding and respect of the Agta culture, the personnel are able to assist in the preservation of this
tribe.
14.3 Food Production
Under P.D. 472, the government’s policy on food production, the company continuously develops food
production areas to provide food supplies to its personnel. The company distributed planting materials of
root crops and citrus to the communities for propagation. Presently, the company has a total of 9.81 ha
allocated for the production of basic food staples following the concept of Multiple Cropping System.
14.4 Community Education
Barangay Diagyan in Dilasag, Aurora has no high school facilities. The nearest school is in Dilasag, where
the company donated a concrete 4-classroom school building. It is around 7 kms. away and PATECO
provides a school bus with a dedicated driver to bring the students to and from the school.
PATECO has made available to Barangay Diagyan a 6-ha property that serves as the local government
center. A proposed high school is envisioned in this area. The area houses the Barangay Hall donated by
the company, a talipapa (small market) and some housing. Provided that the municipality can work out a law
authorizing the building of a school, PATECO has expressed its willingness to assist by providing the
construction materials.
14.5 Employment and Livelihood Projects
Residents of communities adjacent to PATECO are given employment opportunities in its sawmill, forest
activities and in the sister company engaged in aquaculture. The company also provides funds for livelihood
development in cooperation with concerned government units. Part of the company’s logging waste is
supplied free to a cooperative in Dinapigue, Isabela, to enable them to derive income. Through PATECO
sponsorship, co-op members were taught by the Forest Products Research Institute to manufacture
products from logging waste. Likewise, a market match between a manufacturer of pallets and the
cooperative was arranged by PATECO. It also provided part of the seed capital and transports products to
the buyer, again, free of charge. Another cooperative engaged in rattan crafts, also receives assistance in
transporting rattan poles from the forest to the town. Communities around the sawmill are tapped in the
company’s charcoal making project. Slabs, out lumber and other sawmill wastes are given to the
communities for domestic use. The communities, especially the Agta, are allowed access to medicinal plants
from the forest.
14.6 Health
PATECO has a clinic with medical personnel available for consultation and treatment. Employees are
entitled to free medical services and dependents enjoy 50% subsidy. Cases that cannot be handled at the
clinic are transported and referred to the hospital in Casiguran, Aurora. Serious emergency cases are
airlifted to Manila for specialized treatment at a hospital where the company has arrangements for employee
medical services. The company clinic is open to the people of Dilasag and Dinapigue for free, as their
municipalities are not capable of delivering health services.
14.7 Water Supply
The company constructed artesian wells in the adjoining communities. The goal of its water supply program
is to establish more potable water sources.
14.8 Infrastructure
The company gives financial assistance and/or donation for community infrastructure requirements,
especially during calamities. To date, the company has donated several concrete bridges, multi-purpose
halls, stages and school buildings.
14.9 Tree Planting Program
The company has a program that provides free supplies of various seedlings including fruit trees and
technical propagation support to the community residents. Part of the program is forest protection and wild
life conservation.
14.10 Enrichment Enhancement Program
The company promotes the enhancement of a stable and healthy environment in the area. Prescribed
forestry practices are strictly enforced to prevent forest degradation. To eliminate the negative impacts from
environmental disturbances caused by logging operations, the company undertakes: the protection of the
watershed of major rivers and stream; maintenance of 20 meters wide vegetation on both sides of stream
and river banks; preservation of areas with scientific and aesthetic values for recreation purposes;
observance of government policies for efficient anti-pollution in the plant; tree planting program, and;
enforcement or waste disposal and recycling.
15.0 CAPACITY OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO ENFORCE SFM
Deforestation and forest degradation trend in Philippines shows the weak enforcement of policies and
regulations towards SFM. The company’s TLA will expire and it will no longer be renewed. Access to forest
development will be in a new form. The Constitution mandates that exploration, development and utilization
of natural resources will be under the State’s full control and supervision. The State may enter into coproduction, joint venture, or production-sharing agreements with Filipino citizens, corporations or
associations with at least sixty percent ownership of concerned areas. To date, the DENR does not have
concrete policies on these modes of access for forest development.
The company has cordial relationships with DENR and related government agencies. Considering the
disturbing and ever-changing policies and IRR with every administration change, the company has
managed to conduct the TLA operations adequately and adjusted well with the situations at hand. The
Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA) has also expressed that the unstable and inconsistent
policies and IRR on forestry, and weak enforcement of DENR have contributed to the deterioration of
forests.
16.0 FUTURE PLANS
PATECO’s timber license will expire at the end of 2006 and continued operation is uncertain. For this major
reason, the company has not taken the initiative to have its concession certified under any formal process.
Meanwhile, the company is inclined to move into raising large-scale industrial plantations, if policies are
conducive. To prepare for the expiration of its TLA expiring in 2006, the company envisioned a plan to phase
out the TLA operation and move towards the conversion of its TLA to IFMA. The company has filed its
application for conversion of its TLA to IFMA. To date, no concrete policy is in place for converting TLAs.
16.1 IFMA conversion of TLA No. 131-1
Given the chance of conversion to IFMA, or issuance of any appropriate authority for the conduct of forest
development, a new Comprehensive Development and Management Plan (CDMP) will be prepared.
Inventory, survey and area mapping will be included in the preparation of a CDMP.
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16.2 Phase Out Plan
In the event that conversion to IFMA will not be possible, roads leading to the residual and virgin forests will
be made impassable except for roads leading to the proposed IFMA and existing IFMA R4-001. Logging
equipment and machineries inventory will be prepared for the gradual pull out from the logging area. The
human resource will be evaluated for possible employment in the existing IFMA or in affiliated companies,
otherwise separation and/or retirement would be the other option. A multi-partite committee will be created
to ensure the protection of the area. A detailed plan to set in motion the phase-out will be submitted for
approval by DENR in the first quarter of the year preceding the expiry of the TLA. This is to safeguard the
adverse effects in the area and the communities since the company ceased its major operation.
17.0 SUCCESS CRITERIA
An important criteria in considering PATECO a success, is its fulfillment of its objectives and mission. In spite
of the innumerable constraints, the company managed the forest resources on a sustainable basis;
complied with all mandated conditions; protected and conserved the forests; provided socio-economic
benefits to the communities; contributed to government revenue and co-operated in joint projects with DENR
and its Regional offices.
18.0 CONCLUSION
PATECO’s case is a study of possibilities, potentials and hurdles faced by a private company in achieving
SFM amidst unstable policies and institutional environment. Given the constraints, PATECO has
successfully achieved its set objectives, missions and more.
19.0 REFERENCES
CFIT (Composite Forest Inventory Team). 1997. Report on the Ground Truthing of the Details shown in the FRCM
prepared by SUSTECH and Timber Inventory of the Operable Residual Forests within TLA No. 131-1 of PATECO,
Manila, Philippines.
DENR. 1982. Timber License Agreement No. 131-1 between Ministry of Natural Resources and PATECO, (Philippines).
DENR. 1983. Industrial Tree Plantation Lease Agreement No. 92 between Ministry of Natural Resources and PATECO,
(Philippines).
DENR. 1992. Industrial Forest Plantation Management Agreement No. R-4-0001 between the Department of
Environment & Natural Resources and PATECO, (Philippines).
DENR. 1995: Moving CBFM into the 21st Century. DENR’s Strategic Action Plan, (Philippines).
DENR. 1997. Approved Environmental Compliance Certificate of Pacific Timber Export Corporation (PATECO),
(Philippines).
DENR. 2001. Approved Five-Year Integrated Operations Plan (IOP) of Pacific Timber Export Corporation (PATECO),
May 2001 – April 2006 (Philippines).
DENR. 2003. Environment and Natural Resources Policy Issuances 1987 – June 2003, (Philippines).
FAO/RAP. 2001. Forests Out of Bounds: Impacts and Effectiveness of Logging Bans in Natural Forests in Asia Pacific.
Bangkok.
Govt. of the Philippines. 1975: Forestry Code of the Philippines. Presidential Decree 705, (Philippines).
Govt. of the Philippines. 1997: Indigeneous People’s Rights Act of 1997. RA No. 8371, (Philippines).
PATECO. 1998. Ten Year Medium Term Timber Management Plan (1997-2006) of Pacific Timber Export Corporation
(PATECO) under TLA No. 131-1, (Philippines).
PATECO. 1999. Proposed Two Years Integrated Operations Plan for the Calendar Years 1999-2001, (Philippines).
PATECO. 2001. Annual Concession Report (ACR) of Pacific Timber Export Corporation (PATECO) for Calendar Year
2000, (Philippines).
PATECO. 2001. Proposed Five Years Integrated Operations Plan for the Calendar Years 2001-2006, (Philippines).
TIMBER PRODUCTION PROMOTES REGIONAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN
REMOTE REGIONS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA:
THE CASE OF VANIMO FOREST PRODUCTS PTY. LTD.
LA PRODUCTION DE BOIS FAVORISE LE DÉVELOPPEMENT RÉGIONAL ET
COMMUNAUTAIRE DANS DES ZONES RECULEES DE
PAPOUASIE-NOUVELLE-GUINÉE
LA PRODUCCION DE MADERA ESTIMULA EL DESARROLLO REGIONAL Y
COMUN1TARIO EN REGIONES REMOTAS DE PAPUA NUEVA GUINEA:
EL CASO DE VANIMO FOREST PRODUCTS PTY. LTD.
P. Tiong
Vanimo Forest Products Pty. Ltd.
SUMMARY
Vanimo Forest Products Ltd. (VFP) in the Sandaun Province is a private concessionaire under contract with the
Government. The concession forest is customarily owned and comprises 287,240 ha of tropical rain forest. After making
deductions for non-operational areas such as village, stream buffers, benchmark sites, national parks and inaccessible
terrains, the net productive area is reduced to 207, 080 ha. With further adjustment for logged over areas, the remaining
commercially productive forest is 190,160 ha. The Timber Licence of VFP covers a period of 20 years from 1990 to
2010.
The company follows a sophisticated system of forest management and harvest planning. Yield is regulated by a
combination of area to volume proportion as specified in AAC. The concessionaire is allowed to fell only the mature
trees of commercial species and is required to leave a healthy residual stock for the future. Except for major roads,
which will add to the rural infrastructure and benefit the local communities, all temporary developments such as skid
trails and log landings are decommissioned thus allowing the forest to recover its natural state.
The Papua New Guinea Forest Authority (PNGFA) provides guidelines and regulations regarding standards and
procedures to be adopted in timber management. The package of planning for forest management has the following
components: Long-Term Perspective Plan (Project Proposal); 5-Year Forest Working Plan; Environmental Plan;
Infrastructure Plan; Finance Plan; Skill Development Plan; Land Use Plan; Business Development Plan, Implementation
Schedule; Annual Logging Plan and Set-Up Plan. For its part, the company has been strictly following all the regulations
and conditions relating to timber operation and trade as specified in the above cited packages; paying all the levies and
premiums due (e.g. reforestation levy, infrastructure maintenance levy, agriculture development levy, provincial
government levy, royalties, premium levy on reported logs); and meeting all the company obligations such as
infrastructure development, establishment of processing units and post harvest management of logged-over areas.
VFP carries out pre-logging restrictions such as pre-harvest assessment of stock, preparation of annual logging
plans, demarcation of annual coupes and set-ups, preparation of set-up plans, 100% tree marking and tree positioning
on the maps, cutting climbers on marked trees, setting up environmental safeguards establishment of roads, skid trails,
log landings and camps following prescribed environmental standards and training of crew. The prescribed log harvest
of the Vanimo Timber Area (VTA) as per the Timber Permit (TP) is 300,000 cum during the first five years and 250,000
cum thereafter (years 6 – 20). Starting with 255,000 cum annually, log export is expected to stabilise at 165,000 cum
from the 6th year of operation.
Species composition varies with site although tree species such as Instia bijuga, Pometia spp and Terminalia spp
are the most common over 50 cm dbh. The logging system currently practised is selective cutting which strictly follows
the key standards for selection logging in PNG. Since river hauling is not feasible logs are generally transported
overland with an average road transportation distance of over 100 km from VTA to the mill yard/logpond in Vanimo.
Average logging cost, during the period of January to June 2002 was K 148.21. Logs produced are partly used as input
into the sawmill in Vanimo, and partly exported as raw logs. Logging and log/timber export activities are monitored by
SGS.
Post Logging Operations undertaken are of two types: 1) those required for reporting completion of logging
activities in a set-up to obtain clearance of PNGFA and authorization to start work in the next set-up, and 2) silvicultural
operations to support SFM. The second type of operations currently is not a requirement. The TPs stipulate only logging
plans and not silvicultural management plans for inducing natural regeneration, protecting the crop from fire and other
injurious agents, carrying out sanitary and salvage felling operations, scientifically assessing growth and yield, etc.
VFP activities generate considerable benefits in terms of government revenue and income/welfare to the land
owning local community. It is the prime revenue source of the Sandaun Provincial Government. The annual average of
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charges and levies remitted by VFP during 1999 – 2000 amounted to K 13.1 million. The company makes all the efforts
to employ as many local community members as possible (even though they, often, lack the discipline required for work
under strenuous conditions), in the logging and milling operations with the peak season employment going over 1000
while the number of nationals in the regular pay roll is 889.
The company likewise invests in developing social infrastructure such as schools, hostels, playgrounds, health
centres, water supply, communication system and so on, as well as in land and agricultural development. The company
also accommodates, to the extent possible, the demands (and compensation claims) of the community, outside of the
agreed conditions, in the interest of maintaining social harmony and friendly relationships. Most of all, the landowners
are encouraged to participate and involve more actively in the preparation of Annual Logging/Working Plans.
The inadequate knowledge on the part of NGOs about the nature of logging under selection system, and the special
conditions existing in PNG, has led to the VFP being attacked for violations of TP conditions; and this is a perpetual
irritant to the company. No social survey has been carried out to assess the real impact of timber development on the
local community and their sustainable livelihood. It is also the general observation that the government is not playing
their role properly for supporting the development of the customary landowners and the village community in a
transparent and accountable manner.
RESUME
La Vanimo Forest Produits Ltd (VFP), dans la province de Sandaun, est une concession privêe attribuêe sous contrat
par le gouvernement. La forêt de cette concession est de propriêtê coutumiêre et s’êtend sur 287.240 ha de forêt
tropicale humide. Sans compter les aires non operationnelles telles que villages, cours d’eau tampons, terrains en
banquettes, pares nationaux et terrains inaccessibles, la superficie productive nette est ramenêe à 207.080 ha. En
dêduisant êgalement les secteurs parcourus par les coupes, il reste une forêt commercialement productive de 190.160
ha. Le permis d’exploitation du bois de VFP porte sur une période de 20 ans, de 1990 à 2010.
L’entreprise applique un système sophistiqué de gestion forestière et de plans de récolte. L’exploitation est réglée
proportionnellement selon une combinaison de possibilité réalisable par surface et par volume, tel que prescrit par la
possibilité annuelle réalisable. Le concessionnaire n’est autorisé à couper que les arbres matures des espèces d’intérêt
commercial et doit laisser sur pied des stocks résiduels sains pour plus tard. A l’exception des routes principales, qui
s’ajouteront à l’infrastructure rurale et profiteront aux communautes locales, tous les aménagements provisoires tels
que les pistes de traînage et les dépôts transitoires de grumes sont mis hors de service après les opérations,
permettant ainsi à la forêt de recouvrer son état naturel.
Les autorités forestières de Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée (PNGFA) prévoient des directives et des règlements
concernant les normes et les procédures à adopter pour la gestion des bois. L’ensemble des plans de gestion forestière
comprend les éléments suivants: plan des perspectives à long terme (proposition de projet); plan des opérations
forestières sur cinq ans; plan relatif à l’environnement; plan d’infrastructure; plan financier; plan de développement des
aptitudes; plan d’occupation des sols; plan de développement des affaires, programme d’exécution; plan des coupes
annuelles et plan d’établissement. Pour sa part, l’entreprise s’est strictement conformée à tous les règlements et toutes
les conditions relatives aux opérations et au commerce de bois, tel que spécifié dans l’ensemble des plans cités plus
haut; elle a acquitté toutes les taxes et redevances exigees (par ex. taxe de reboisement, redevance pour entretien
d’infrastructure, impot de développement agricole, taxe du gouvernement provincial, droits de coupe, impots sur les
grumes signalées); elle a également respecté toutes ses obligations concernant, par exemple, le développement
d’infrastructures, la création d’unités de transformation et la gestion des aires parcourues par les coupes après la
récolte.
VFP effectue également les activités prescrites préalables à l’exploitation, telles que l’évaluation du peuplement
avant la récolte, la préparation de plans de coupe annuelle, la delimitation des séries annuelles, la préparation des
plans d’établissement, le marquage des arbres à 100% et leur pointage sur des cartes, le délianage des arbres
marqués, la mise en place de moyens de protection environnementale pour les routes, les pistes de trainage, les dépôts
transitoires de grumes et les camps, conformément aux normes relatives a l’environnement et à la formation des
équipes. La récolte de grumes prescrite pour la zone d’exploitation du bois, aux termes du permis délivré à Vanimo, se
monte à 300.000 m3 pendant les cinq premieres années et a 250.000 m3 par la suite (annees 6 à 20). A partir de
255.000 m3 par an, on s’attend à ce que les exportations de grumes se stabiliseront à 165.000 m3 dès la sixième année
d’exploitation.
La composition des espèces varie selon l’emplacement, bien que les espèces telles que Instia bijuga, Pometia
spp. et Terminalia spp. de plus de 50 cm à hauteur d’homme soient les plus courantes. Le système d’exploitation
forestière actuellement pratiqué est la coupe sélective, rigoureusement conforme aux normes principales d’abattages
sélectifs en PNG. Le transport fluvial n’étant pas possible, les grumes sont en général transportées par la route à une
distance moyenne de plus de 100 km, de la zone de prélèvement du bois au dépôt/bassin de stockage de Vanimo. Le
coût moyen de l’exploitation forestière, durant la pèriode de janvier à juin 2002, a atteint K 148,21. Les grumes produites
sont en partie utilisées dans la scierie de Vanimo, et en partie exportées sous forme de grumes brutes. L’exploitation
forestière et les activités d’exportation de grumes/bois sont surveillées par le SGS.
Les opérations post-abattages exécutées sont de deux types: 1) celles qui sont exigées pour signaler
l’achèvement des activités d’exploitation forestière en vue d’obtenir des PNGFA l’autorisation d’entreprendre les travaux
dans la série suivante, et 2) les opérations sylvicoles en faveur de l’AFD. Le second type d’opérations ne constitue pas
actuellement une prescription. Les permis d’exploitation du bois stipulent uniquement des plans de coupe et non des
plans de gestion sylvicole destinés à promouvoir la régénération naturelle, à protéger la récolte contre le feu et d’autres
agents nuisibles, à procéder à des coupes sanitaires et de récupération, à évaluer scientifiquement l’accroissement et
le rendement, etc...
Les activités de VFP produisent des avantages considérables en termes de recettes pour le gouvernement et de
revenus/avantages sociaux pour la communauté locale propriétaire des terres. L’entreprise représente la source
principale de recettes du gouvernement provincial de Sandaun. La moyenne annuelle des charges et des impôts versés
par VFP en 1999-2000 s’est élevée à K 13,1 millions. L’entreprise s’efforce autant que possible d’employer, pour les
activitès d’exploitation forestière et de transformation, autant de membres de la communauté locale que possible (bien
qu’il leur manque souvent la discipline nécessaire pour travailler dans des conditions pénibles). Pendant la saison de
pointe, elle emploie jusqu’à 1000 personnes, tandis que le nombre de ressortissants dans la masse salariale régulière
est de 889.
Par ailleurs, l’entreprise investit dans le développement d’infrastructures sociales, à savoir des écoles, foyers,
terrains de jeu, dispensaires, moyens d’approvisionnement en eau, système de communication etc., ainsi que pour la
mise en valeur des terres et le développement agricole. Dans le souci d’entretenir l’harmonie sociale et les bons
rapports, l’entreprise cherche également, dans la mesure du possible, à répondre aux demandes (et demandes
d’indemnisation) de la communauté qui ne font pas partie des conditions convenues. Par dessus tout, les propriétaires
fanciers sont encouragés à participer et à s’impliquer plus activement tors de la préparation des plans annuels de
coupe/travail.
Le manque de connaissance réelle que possèdent les ONG quant à la nature de l’exploitation forestière par le
systeme sélectif et aux conditions particulieres qui existent en PNG a eu pour effet que la VFP a été poursuivie pour
infractions aux termes des permis d’exploitation de bois, ce qui est une source d’irritation perpétuelle pour l’entreprise.
Aucune enquête sociale n’a été effectuée pour évaluer les incidences réelles de la mise en valeur du bois sur la
communauté locale et la durabilité de leurs moyens d’existence. Il est également de l’avis général que le gouvernement
ne joue pas correctement, de manière transparente et responsable, son rôle de soutien pour le développement des
propriétaires fanciers coutumiers et des communautés villageoises.
RESUMEN
Vanimo Forest Products Ltd. (VFP), en la provincia de Sandaun, es un concesionario privado que opera por contrato
con el gobierno del pais. El bosque de la concesion se encuentra situado en tierras de propiedad ancestral y
comprende 287.240 ha de selva tropical. Despues de restar las areas no aprovechables, tales como poblados, zonas
de amortiguacion de cauces, areas testigo, parques nacionales y terrenes inaccesibles, la superficie neta de production
se reduce a 207.080 ha. Si se deducen tambien las zonas intervenidas, el bosque de produccion comercial restante
cubre una extension de 190.160 ha. La licencia de explotacion de madera de VFP abarca un periodo de veinte anos,
de 1990 a 2010.
La empresa utiliza un sofisticado sistema de manejo y planificacion del aprovechamiento forestal. La produccion
se regula segun una combination de proporciones de volumen y superficie especificadas en la posibilidad de corta
anual (PCA). Al concesionario solo se Ie permite talar los arboles maduros de especies comerciales y se Ie exige dejar
una masa residual en pie sana para el future. Salvo los caminos principales, que mejoran la infraestructura rural y
benefician a las comunidades, todas las obras provisorias, como trochas de arrastre y areas de acopio de trozas,
deben levantarse despues de las operaciones para permitir que el bosque recupere su estado natural.
La Direction Forestal de Papua Nueva Guinea (PNGFA) establece directrices y reglamentos sobre las normas y
procedimientos que se deben adoptar en la producci6n de madera. El marco de planificacion del manejo forestal
comprende los siguientes componentes: plan prospectivo a largo plazo (propuesta de proyecto); plan de trabajo
forestal quinquenal; plan ambiental; plan de infraestructura; plan financiero; plan de desarrollo de recursos humanos;
plan de uso de tierras; plan de desarroilo comercial; programa de ejecucion; plan de extraction maderera anual; y
planes para las unidades de manejo. Por su parte, la empresa se ha ajustado estrictamente a todas las
reglamentaciones y condiciones relacionadas con la produccion y el comercio de madera estipuladas en los
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mencionados planes; ha pagado todos los gravamenes y derechos correspondientes (p.ej. canon de reforestation,
derechos de mantenimiento de infraestructura, impuesto de desarrollo agricola, gravamen gubernamental provincial,
derechos de explotacion, impuesto sobre trozas declaradas, etc.); y ha cumplido con todas sus obligaciones en materia
de desarrollo de infraestructura, establecimiento de plantas manufactureras y manejo de zones intervenidas posterior
al aprovechamiento.
VFP tambien aplica medidas previas a las operaciones de extraccion, tales como la evaluation de la masa forestal
en pie, preparation de planes anuales de aprovechamiento, delimitation de areas de corta anual y unidades de manejo,
preparation de planes para las unidades de manejo, marcado de arboles (100%) y su localization en mapas, corte de
trepadoras en los arboles marcados, instauracion de medidas de protection ambiental, establecimiento de caminos,
trochas de arrastre, areas de acopio de trozas y campamentos conforme a las normas ecologicas reglamentarias, y
capacitacion de personal. El nivel de extraction de madera en troza fijado para el area maderable de Vanimo (VTA) en
el permiso de extraction de madera (TP) es de 300.000 m3 durante los primeros cinco anos y 250.000 m3 en los anos
subsiguientes (del sexto al vigesimo). Se preve que la exportation de trozas comenzara con un volumen anual de
255.000 m para estabilizarse en un nivel de 165.000 m3 a partir del sexto ano de operaciones.
La composition de especies varia segun el area, aunque las especies mas comunes de arboles de mas de 50 cm
de DAP son Instia bijuga, Pometia spp y Terminalia spp. El sistema de explotation que se utiliza actualmente se basa
en la corta selectiva, siguiendo estrictamente las normas esenciales estipuladas para este metodo de extraction en
PNG. Dado que el arrastre por via fluvial no es factible, las trozas normalmente se transportan por tierra con distancias
medias
de transporte de mas de 100 km desde el area de extraction (VTA) hasta el patio de trozas del aserradero de
Vanimo. El costo promedio de extracci6n entre enero y junio de 2002 fue de K. 148,21. Parte de las trozas producidas
se utilizan como materia prima en el aserradero de Vanimo y la otra parte se exporta como madera en rollo. Las
actividades de extraccion y exportation de trozas /madera son controladas por la SGS.
La empresa lleva a cabo dos tipos de operaciones posteriores al aprovechamiento: 1) aquellas requeridas para
notificar la finalizacion de actividades en una unidad de manejo a fin de obtener el visto bueno de PNGFA y la
autorizacion para comenzar el trabajo en el area siguiente, y 2) tratamientos silvicolas para respaldar la OFS. El
segundo tipo de operaciones actualmente no son obligatorias. Los permisos de explotacion solo estipulan el
establecimiento de planes de extraccion de madera y no de manejo silvicola para estimular la regeneration natural,
proteger e! cultivo contra los incendios u otros agentes nocivos, llevar a cabo cortas de recuperation y limpieza,
asegurar la evaluation cientffica del crecimiento y rendimiento, etc.
Las actividades de VFP producen beneficios importantes, tanto en materia de ingresos fiscals como en ingresos
y servicios sociales para las comunidades locales propietarias de las tierras. La empresa constituye la principal fuente
de ingresos del gobierno de la provincia de Sandaun. El promedio anual de impuestos y gravamenes abonados por
VFP en 1999 - 2000 fue de K. 13,1 millones. La empresa realiza grandes esfuerzos para emplear, en sus operaciones
de extraccion y aserno, a la mayor cantidad posible de miembros de la comunidad local (si bien estos a menudo
carecen de la disciplina requerida para trabajar en condiciones extenuantes). Durante la temporada de maxima
actividad, VFP emplea a mas de 1000 personas y tiene 889 empleados nacionales en su plantilla permanente.
Ademas, la empresa invierte en el desarrollo de infraestructura social como escuelas, albergues, patios de
recreo/deportes, centros de salud, suministro de agua, sistemas de comunicationes, etc., asf como tambien en el
desarrollo territorial y agrfcola. Por otra parte, trata de satisfacer, en la medida de lo posible, los reclamos (y
reivindicaciones) de la comunidad, aun fuera de las condiciones acprdadas, en un esfuerzo por mantener la armonfa
social y relaciones amistosas con la poblacion local. Por sobre todas las cosas, VFP alienta a los propietarios de tierras
a participar mas activamente en la preparation de planes anuales de trabajo /extraccion.
Debido a la falta de conocimiento, por parte de las ONG, de los metodos de extraccion maderera bajo un sistema
selective y las condiciones especiales reinantes en PNG, VFP ha sido objeto de ataques por la violation de las
condiciones del permiso de explotacion, to cual constituye un factor irritante constante para la empresa. No se ha
llevado a cabo ninguna encuesta social para determinar el verdadero impacto de la explotacion de madera en la
comunidad local y la sustentabilidad de sus medios de sustento. Por otra parte, la impresion general es que el gobierno
no esta ofreciendo el apoyo debido para el desarrollo de las comunidades y los propietarios tradicionales de tierras de
forma transparente y responsable.
1.0
BACKGROUND
Vanimo Forest Products Pty Ltd is a subsidiary of WTK Realty Pty Ltd, which has been operating Vanimo
Timber Area under TP 10-8, since 1991.
VTA is located in the Western part of Sanduan (previously West Sepik) Province on the north coast of
Papua New Guinea, between 140º 10’ and 142º 00’ minutes longitudes and 2º 40’ and 3º 10’ south latitudes.
It is roughly triangular in shape with its western boundary only 11 km from the Indonesia border. From the
coast, the area extends up to 40 kilometers inland to the foot of Bewani Mountains, from the western
boundary of the Vaniomo harbour. It extends about 80 kilometers along the coast to the Piore River of the
Sissano sub-distric of the Aitape District.
During mid 1960’s a series of investigations were carried out in the Vanimo Timber Area and in some
adjacent areas, with the view to asses the timber resources of the region. The first known survey of the VTA
was carried out in 1964. Based on the results of those investigations, the GoPNG purchased from the
landowners, in February/March 1967, the timber rights over 6 blocks (blocks 1 to 6) for a period of 40 years.
The areas were investigated by several agencies and the resultant findings was synthesized and
reported by Forestal International Limited of Canada, in 1975. On the basis of the findings, the GoPNG
called tenders from companies for coming to an agreement for the development of the VTA. The response
was generally poor; and the successful applicant either failed to meet the commitment or was unable to
come to a suitable agreement with the national government.
An attempt was made to develop TRP Block 6 through the West Sepik Development Corporation
(WESDECO), a corporate arm of the Provincial Government. But it met mixed reactions as a result of which
the venture was eventually wound up. Between 1976 and 1984 a number of companies conducted
harvesting on a small scale in areas adjacent to Vanimo Township.
The Department of Forest prepared and advertised a new prospectus on VTA (Vanimo TRP Block 1-6)
during this period, which resulted in choosing Bunnigns Brothers, one of the renowned timber companies,
for developing the area. Final agreement was signed n November 1984 between the newly formed
Bunnings Subsidiary, Vanimo Forest Products Limited (VFP) and the GoPng; and TP 10-6 was issued.
Bunnings Brothers operated TP 10-6 through VFP for 6 years, 1984-85 to 1990, till the ownership of VFP
was disposed off by them. This period can be considered as the initial phase of development of VTA.
This phase of development of VTA involved 39,270 ha of forest with estimated commercial volume of
2,453 cum of timber stand. The GoPNG and VFP (Bunnings Borthers) as parties to TP 10-6 had recognized
the uncertainties involved in establishing timber business in Vanimo; and that was reflected in the
agreement as it provided for carrying out a feasibility study to finalize the component activities. Accordingly
a feasibility study was undertaken by VFP under Bunnings Brothers. Some of the salient points contained
in the feasibility study are the following:
a. Log export operation be developed at Serra.
b. Consideration be given to the establishment of sawn timber production at Serra.
c. Construction of the East-West Road system to proceed as rapidly as possible, commensurate
with sound forestry and investment policy.
d. Establishment of log export facilities including wharf, housing, workshops and associated
infrastructures in Serra.
e. Continue the establishment and monitoring of natural regeneration in the logging areas.
In February 1990, Bunnings Brothers sold their subsidiary, VFP, to WTK Realty Group of Malaysia.
Under the new ownership, the company, Vanimo Forest Products Pty Ltd retained its name.
WTK Realty Group has its headquarters in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia and is one of the largest timberbased companies in Malaysia. Started as a family enterprise, WTK Realty Pty Ltd is now a public listed
company and it has business interests and investments in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Brazil,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and PNG; its multiple interests cover timber operations, property
development and construction, mining, hotels, supermarkets and general trading.
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In acquiring VFP, the viability of the project has been evident to the new owners from its successful
operation for more than five years. The analysis of financial data indicated that the average internal rate of
return (RR) for the project was 27.14% which is the average annual rate of return after loan interests, bank
fees and charges against the share capital. The IRR shows that the project is very feasible and profitable.
Negotiations between the new owner/developer and GoPNG ensued. The results of the feasibility
study were the basis on which negotiations have been entered into between the State and the company for
further development of the area. All that is contained in the feasibility study also remain as guidelines to the
present owners, in developing the area.
The negotiations were successfully concluded with the new project agreement signed between VFP
and the Independent State of PNG on 5th October 1990. Subsequently Timber Permit 10-8 was issued
covering the whole VTA consisting of TRP Blocks 1 to 6, for period of 20 years.
1.1 Timber Permit
The whole process was undertaken through the usual steps before a Timber Permit can be granted,
involving GoPNG, the National Executive Council, the Forest Minister, PNGFA, the National Forest Board,
the National Forest Service, PFMC, the landowners and the proponent of the project. The new Agreement
and conditions of TP-10-8 is valid for 20 years starting from 1991, are more stringent than those in the
previous one, i.e. TP 10.6.
The time gap between the acquisition of VFP in February 1990 by WTK Realty Pty. Ltd. till the issuance
of Timber Permit 10-8 on 31st October 1990 was a period of uncertainty for the management, during which
no definite plans and investment decisions could be made.
Total area of Vanimo TRP Blocks 1-6 is 287, 240 ha. The breakdown of the area by blocks and by
productive and unproductive areas is given in Table 1.1.
After Adjusting for the area logged during 1985-1990 by the company under the previous ownership,
the remaining commercial/productive area available for harvesting under TP 10-8 for 18 to 20 years was
estimated as 190, 160ha. Apart from the area included in TP 10-8, VFP had two LFA areas, Bewani and
Pegi Pulan, under logging and marketing agreement with local people for a period of 10 years, which
expired in 1999/2000.
Table 1.1. Distribution of Vanimo timber (Hectares)
1.2
TRP Blocks
Productive Area
Unproductive Area
Net Productive22
Total
Block 1
Block 2
Block 3
Block 4
Block 5
Block 6
Total
21,560
46,740
18,140
60,700
47,670
39,270
234,080.00
6,510
11,270
6,440
3,970
12,340
12,630
53,160
19,160
41,740
16,040
55,500
43,070
31,570
207,080
28,070
58,010
24,580
64,670
60,010
51,900
287,240
Growing Stock Volume
The summary of the estimated volume of standing timber in the workable portions of the project area is
presented in Table 1.2 below.
22
Deductions for village and stream reserves, benchmark areas and national parks, and in accessible areas in each logging block.
Table 1.2. Estimated total volume of timber available in VTA
Volume by d.b.h. classes (‘000 m3)
Block
1
2
3
4
5
6
Total
Under 50 cm
50 cm
50 cm+
Total
18,106
41,782
14,821
48,562
37,686
23,930
184,887
7,875
16,362
9,303
25,364
37,772
27,740
124,426
25,981
58,144
24,124
73,926
75,458
51,680
309,313
2,598.1
5,814.4
2,412.4
7,392.6
7,545.8
5,168.0
30,931.3
1.3 Project Agreement and Conditions of Timber Permit
Apart from the legal requirements to follow all the regulations relating to the timber operations and trade,
the Agreement to implement the Vanimo Timber Project and TP 10-8 specify several company obligations.
These include, among others, the following:
• Construction of roads, bridges, crossings required for its own purpose and/or required by the
agreement (e.g. East-West Highway, Pual Bridge).
• Post harvest forest management, including timber stand improvement of 1,000 ha/annually,
payment of reforestation levy etc. (The requirements of TSI has since been taken away, by later
regulations).
• Construction of saw mill and commencement of production.
• Township development (facilities to be established, develop and maintained by the company in
Vanimo and Serra Townships).
• Construction, maintenance and use of wharf, berthing and loading facilities; stevedoring.
• Establishing infrastructures for community development (upgrade and construct specified
facilities in all TRP Block, such as school class rooms, aid posts, clinics etc).
• Maintenance of existing and newly developed facilities.
The Agreement requires the company to post a performance bond in the sum of K 500,000 as a
guarantee for compliance.
The Agreement stresses the need to employ sound marketing practices and includes an option for the
State to purchase up to 25% of the company’s permitted annual log production. It includes penal clauses
for omissions and commissions, and specifies levies and premiums payable by the company (e.g.
reforestation levy at one Kina per cum, infrastructure maintenance levy at one Kina per cum, agriculture
development levy at one Kina per cum, Provincial Government levy at 1.5 Kina per cum and premium on
log exports at 5% of the gross FOB value per cum of log exported.
The company is obliged to support Papua New Guinean enterprises (and entrepreneurs), and use
Papua New Guinean sub-contractors. The Agreement requires that the company shall at all times during
the Project’s life undertake to preserve an option for the Sandaun Provincial Government to acquire up to
25% equity in Vanimo Forest Products Pty. Ltd. at market value, of which 5% shall be held by the said
Provincial Government in trust for the landowners of the project area. This acquisition of shares shall take
place at any time during the Project life at the sole discretion of the Sandaun Provincial Government. The
Company shall allow the State, at all times, to inspect the books of account and records of the company
relating to their operations and to take extracts or copies there from. Any information acquired by the State
as the result of any inspection of the company’s books of account and records shall, except as required by
law, be confidential. Also, throughout the continuance of the Agreement the company shall allow the State,
at all times, to inspect any aspect of its operations within the project.
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1.4 Prescribed Timber Harvest
The project agreement prescribed that the company shall, during the project years shown, be entitled to
harvest, process and export, as the case maybe, the volume of logs specified (Table 1.3).
Table 1.3. Prescribed annual harvest in vanimo timber area
Project year
Total log harvest (cum)
Export (cum)
Use in sawmill (cum)
1
2
3
4
5
6 and there after
300,000
300,000
300,000
300,000
300,000
250,000
255,000
245,000
235,000
235,000
215,000
165,000
45,000
55,000
65,000
65,000
85,000
85,000
Variations in actual harvest is permissible within limits, and shortfalls can be carried forward (and excess harvest
adjusted) to the following years.
2.0
COMPANY OBJECTIVES
Consistent with the provisions of the Agreement, the company objectives are:
•
•
•
•
To produce the highest possible yield of timber on a sustained yield basis.
Provide more employment and income earning opportunities for the community.
Promote/ support and generate small business enterprises or spin-off projects.
Contrive more revenues to the PNG Government and the landowners in the form of royalties,
taxes and levies.
In order to achieve above objectives the company aims to:
• Promote market for all logs and processed timber, to maximize benefit of all parties involved –
the developer, the government and the resource owner.
• Produce and market timber and timber products in such a way as to avoid adverse negative
impact on the environment normally associated with such an industry.
• Ensure that adequate quality and quantity of seed trees and residuals of desirable species are
retained to restore full timber stocking and enhance the bio-diversity.
• Construct, or cause to be constructed, all the infrastructures enumerated in the Agreement.
3.0
FOREST AND LOCALITY FACTORS
The Vanimo area is relatively rich in forest resources, approximately 90% of the land carrying commercial
forests. This is mainly due to the low population density, both past and present, over much of the area and
also to the relative scarcity of permanent swamps. The most productive and accessible forests occur on the
fans and on the better-drained parts of the alluvial plains. A really, however, by far the most important forest
occurs on a variety of upland land systems.
3.1 Forest Types
The entire forests of VTA can be categorized as tropical rains forests, influenced by an absence of dry
season and availability of surface moisture. CSIRO (1972) has distinguished the following types:
Lowland Rain Forests
Poor Lowland Rain Forests
Hill Rain Forest (Intsia dominant)
Hill Rain Forest (Pometia/Intsia association)
The forest is composed of timber species mainly: Pometia, Intsia, Terminalia, Celtis, Dysoxylum,
Dracontomellon, Myristica, Vitex, Calophyllum and others such as Sterculia, Spondias, Buchanania,
Evodia, Planchonella, Ficus, Pimeleodondron, Maniltoa, Canarium, Alstonia, Elaeocarpus, Pterocarpus,
Anthocephalus, and Octomeles .
The more predominatly occurring species in the area are Pometia and Instia. Average canopy tree
heights are approximately 45m (Pometia) and sub-canopy trees are about 30m high.
Species composition is not constant over the whole timber area, although Intsia bijuga, Pometia spp.,
and Terminalia spp: variably represent the most volume among trees over 50 cm DBH. All three species
occur in both lowland and hill rainforest. However, the percentage of Intsia increases in the hill forest, in all
blocks.
In some Blocks (e.g 3 and 4), about 300 metres above the sea level, one tends to come across large
areas of secondary forests. These have resulted from continuous practice of shifting cultivation and
landslides in areas where the soil is not stable, e.g. loose sandy and silt loam soils towards Ossima. The
secondary forest vegetation is mainly composed of pioneer regrowth species such as Macaranga, Ficus,
Evodia, Commersonia, Alphitonia, Althofia, and Trema orientalis. Ground ferns of various types, palms,
gingers and orchids are likewise common.
Furthermore, there are swampy areas scattered around the Pual River basin inland to the south, in
particular Blocks 1 and 2. Some of these swamps are inundated permanently in Blocks 3 and 4 in the
coastal areas, while seasonally in blocks 1 and 2. The vegetation of these areas are mainly composed of
swamp species such as Camnosperma brevipetiolata, Horsfeildia, Endospermum medullosum,Ficus spp.,
Macaranga spp., Terminalia complanata, Elaecarrpus, Pandanus, Metroxylum sagu, and Nipa palms.
Metroxylum (sago) species, (both wild and edible) dominate the swamp vegetation. The shrub layer is
mainly composed of Zingers, Costus, and Donax species.
The VTA is composed of five major physiographic regions: (i) the coastal plains, forming a narrow belt
in front of steeply rising coastal ranges; although the coastal plains consists of only 1% of the area, it is of
major importance as it supports about 45% of the population; (ii) alluvial plains of the major rivers, Pual and
Bliri, cross the coastal plain and extend upstream to the foot of the inland ranges; (iii) the coastal ranges
rise abruptly from the coastal plain or directly from the sea to altitudes of 1,200 ft or more; (iv) the
intermontane lowlands separate the coastal ranges from the inland ranges; and (v) the inland ranges are
part of the mountain chain which separates the Sepik drainage system from the coastal one.
Major rivers in the area are generally not suitable for floating logs, except perhaps in their lower
reaches. The external outlet for timber and timber products is obviously by sea and although there is a
dearth of potential harbours along the coastline, particularly in the east, Vanimo provides an excellent allweather anchorage, and existing port facilities.
3.2 Geology and Soil
The geology of the area is relatively recent, dating from the initial development of the “Bewani Geosyncline”.
This area forms part of the “northern sedimentary basin of New Guinea” and consists mainly of upper
tertiary sediments unconformably overlaying uppermost cretaceous and lower tertiary sediments or
crystalline basement.
Earthquakes are reported quite frequently in the area, with most occurring in the Torrecelli mountains
to the east, and the Bewani mountains to the south. These tremours are believed to be associated with the
Bewani- Torrecelli fault system.
The soils mostly are slightly to moderately developed, weakly acidic to acidic, and medium to fine
texture; they range from shallow to rather deep. Locally, mainly on crests and upper slopes, occur strongly
developed, strongly acidic, friable deeper soils.
3.3 Climate
The Vanimo area has a wet tropical climate with little variation in rainfall. Mean annual rainfull is 2,620mm
on the coast at Vanimo and it tends to decrease in inland to 2,080mm because of the rain shadow effect of
the coastal ranges.
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The months June to October generally have less rainfall than the remainder of the year. Despite this,
rainfall is quite evenly distributed throughout the year, with the driest months having 160mm on the coast in
August, and 130mm inland in July. Although a direct measure of rainfall intensity is not available, up to
150mm has been recorded as falling in 24 hours. There are, on the average, 200 wet days per year at
Vanimo with a slightly higher proportion (110 days) occurring in the period from December to May.
The annual mean maximum temperature is 30ºC and the mean minimum 22ºC, with only one degree
variation in monthly figures through the year.
Humidity is high throughout the year and shows little variation. Early morning atmospheric conditions
on the foothills and plains are, frequently, saturated or near saturated.
3.4 Land-Owning Population
Population in the area is very low. VTA is customarily owned by all the local people living within and in the
vicinity of the timber area. Total number of people so involved as per 2,000 census is 12,037, distributed in
1976 households (located in 55 villages and clustered into 26 clan groups).
The pre-European history of the Melanesian inhabitants in this area is unknown. It is likely that the
coastal people had trading contact with the Malays and thus became to some extent subject to their
influence. According to some authorities, the coastal people show some infiltration of Malay blood which find
its expression in their physiognomy.
The local communities practice gardening and shifting cultivation of an extensive nature. They also
hunt, fish, and gather forest food and fruits.
The following are some of the useful tree species utilized by the people, in their livelihood activities.
Fruit Trees
Ficus spp.
Terminalia kaembachii
Gnetum gnemon
Pometia pinnata
Mangifera minor
Artocarpus indicus
Canoe Trees
Octomeles sumatrana
Camnosperma brevipetiolata
Red cedar
More intensive gardening is practiced by migrants form Indonesian Papua and by those who live in the
vicinity of Vanimo township. Cash-cropping within the TRP area is almost non-existent, except for a few of
the villages along the eastern part of the coast who are involved in copra production. Some are engaged in
growing coffee (Coffee robusta) and cocoa. There is a lot of potential for coffee, copra, cocoa and cattle.
Cocoa and copra grow extremely well in the area. Overall, the land is good for agricultural development.
poverty and malnutrition is a major problem. Most inland areas in the Sandaun province have
extremely high malnutrition rates. Because of the difference in diet, the population of the coastal villages
appear to be much healthier than the inland villagers of Bewani and Ossima. Incidence of AIDS is another
cause for worry.
Considering the wealth of natural resources at the disposal of the landowners (24 ha per person and
145 ha per family), it is difficult to comprehend how they can continue to be poor. They do not have much
to live on partly due to policy flaws, and party due to their attitude towards work and cash economy.
4.0
FOREST MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND PROCESS
The company has put in concentrated efforts to develop a planning package, which is now in place. The
planning package has the following components: long term perspective plan; forest working plan;
environmental plan; infrastructure plan; finance plan; manning & localization plan; manpower skill
development plan; the land use plan; the business development plan; implementation schedule; annual
logging plans and set-up plans. These ensure the integrity and standard of compliance with forest and
environment related regulations.
The project proposal (Forest Development Plan of Vanimo Forests) submitted by the company as the
basis of negotiating the agreement and obtaining the Timber Permit (10-8) serve a long term perspective
plan, covering the whole period of the project agreement. The forest working plan is a guideline for regular
log extraction, processing and marketing for maximizing benefits, and is prepared but produced and
submitted for approval every after three years. The current forest working plan is the 5th in the series.
Environmental plans sets out precautionary environmental measure in the logging activities, to either
prevent or minimize damage to the environment. It is a requirement mandated by the Department of
Conservation and Environment under the Environmental Protection Law. The PNG FA on the other hand
has provided guidelines and regulations regarding standards and procedures to be adopted in timber
harvest management.
A 10% strip-line method of timber cruise is currently used in inventory for pre-operation or tactical
planning2. For strategic planning, an enumeration of lighter intensity between 2% to 5% is being undertaken.
For the purpose of preparation of the forest working plan and annual logging plan, Blocks 5 and 6 were
enumerated at 10% intensity; a 10% inventory was also conducted in Block 1
At present a certain portion of the timber concession is logged each on the basis of area control or
volume control plan, which assure continuity of logging operation and timber supply throughout the duration
of the TP. The AAC is derived by dividing the estimated total potential harvest based on existing inventory
by the duration of the TP say 15-20 years. Subsequently, the area of the annual coupe is determined by the
stand density or volume of crop tress, taken from the results of the timber inventory.
In effect, yield control by volume has no area restriction. Only areas with sufficient commercial timber
stand will be considered for logging. Inadequately stocked sites will be discarded to save on costly road
construction and repair.
For extracting the AAC as per TP 10-8 (300,000cm) in year 2000, the area harvested was 20,470 ha.
The annually harvested area keeps changing from year to year depending on the density of harvestable
growth.
Sustained yield management, however, requires the determination of the cutting cycle which should be
the basis for the calculation of the allowable out. This involved the forecasting of volume of the residual
stock when they reach the end of the cutting cycle. Unfortunately, no data are available to calculate growth,
yield and mortality of residual stock in relation to stand composition and the years required for one size class
to move up to the next higher class, based on diameter increment.
Growth models coupled with area and continuous inventory data provide the best way to estimate
sustainable harvest and to investigate the impacts of alternative harvesting strategies. The time until the
nest viable harvest depends on the nature of the residual stand, its growth rate, harvesting damage and
other losses during the cycle.
To attain this objective of SFM, proper control and careful execution of the logging operation, coupled
with appropriate silvicultural treatment most suited for the particular ecosystem, are instituted and strictly
practiced.
The landowners are given more active involvement and participation in the planning and preparation
of the annual logging plans. Allowing them to voice their opinion on which of the block is to be operated,
how they are to be divided into coupes and what priority projects are to be implemented in a given year and
so on, will prevent logging blockages as their preferences ad interest will be incorporated in the Annual
Logging plans.
4.1 Pre-logging Activities
Pre-logging formalities cover a number of activities – i.e. pre-harvest assessment or inventory of stock,
preparation of Annual Logging Plan, demarcation of annual coupes and set-ups, exclusion of grave yards
and sacred sites, set-up assessments, preparation of set-up plan, 100% tree marking and tree positioning
in maps, cutting climbers on marked trees, undertaking environment safeguards such as stream buffers,
establishment of roads and skid trails, log landing and camps, training of crew and so on.
2
In considering the resource data of VTA, it must be noted that the last fieldwork, which was the basis of investigation reports of 1970’s
was done in 1971 and the passage of time has seen changes in growth and species distribution and decline of net productive area,
due to logging and conversion of forests into settlement areas and agricultural lands. To update the resource data, the company is
conducting a continuous assessment of the different areas considered for logging
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188
4.2 Stock Assessment
Before logging set-ups are assessed a 10% cruise is done to give a good indication of the availability of
timber in a given area. It is also used to map out the fragile, unstable, rough and other sensitive areas, that
when logged are prone to environmental damages. Baselines are run parallel to prominent landmarks, such
as rivers and ridges. Cruise lines are then established perpendicular to the baselines. The base and cruise
lines are pegged every 100 meters for easy monitoring. The distance between cruiselines and the intensity
of cruise adopted determines width of the strip. In the past, all trees 20 centimeters and above in diameter
used to be recorded. Currently, only trees of 50 cm and above in DBH (commercial size) are recorded.
Potential residuals are ignored, as per the new regulations.
Species composition, diameter class distribution and stand density influence the growth rate and
volume of growing stock. The inventory information is a useful tool in making management decisions,
particularly where the system requires TSI and other silvicultural operations for obtaining normally stocked
forest in the long run (which is not a requirement in PNG).
4.3 Some Examples of Pre-Harvest Inventory
Some examples of pre-harvest inventory in set-ups carried out in 1990 (which covers the range of diameter
classes from 20 cm to over 80 cm) and in 1997 and 2002 indicates considerable variations in growing stock
density, distribution of diameter classes and species distribution as well as lack of normality (normal series
of age gradation or age classes). See Tables 1.4 and 1.5.
The 1990 inventory data on Krisa setups 08B and 11R (which covers size classes ranging from 20 cm
to over 80 cm DBH) clearly shows lower stock by number of trees per hectare in below 50 cm diameter
classes, compared to above 50 cm diameter classes, implying a considerably low volume for harvest at the
end of the current cycle.
Also, the percentage of Group I species (particularly of Kwila,) is considerably low in lower diameter
classes, indicating a lower value residual crop after harvest.
The range of available crop of commercial species in the tabulated information ranges from 7.02 cum
to 71.29 cum per ha. (In fact, some of the setups, not included in the tabulation here, have a commercial
volume of less than 3 cum/ha on less than 2 trees, making timber extraction very expensive).
4.4 Set-up Location and Establishment
The logging set-up is the smallest unit for managing natural forest harvest. Set-up boundaries usually follow
natural features, such as creeks, roads, cutover boundaries, clan boundaries, etc. The optimum size of a
set-up for efficient monitoring is about 150 hectares. The boundary of the set-up are cleared and visibly
marked on the ground.
100% tree marking (of trees to be extracted) is done in set-ups and all the marked trees (sometimes
only every fifth tree) are positioned in blown up maps of the setup to facilitate logging operations. The
marked trees are to be verified by PNGFA staff.
Construction of roads of different categories follow Government specifications regarding width of road
clearance, sub grade, gradient, percentage of cutting and filing, compacting, bank slope ratio, surfacing,
grading and so on.
4.5 Snig Tracks
The major snig tracks are located on top of ridges and bottom of valleys, away from rivers and creeks with
running water. The Forest Service personnel inspect the tracks to ensure that when opened they will not
cause damages to many residuals, the grade is acceptable by environmental standards, will not create
much disturbance to the soil and lead unnecessary sedimentation in creeks and rivers.
Table 1.4. Pre-harvest inventory in set-ups in VTA, 1990
Name of Setup: FRISA 11R
Name of Setup: KRISA 08B
Area of Setup: 137.81 ha
Area of Setup: 128.91 ha
Percentage of sample inventory: 10
Date of inventory: September 1990
Date of inventory: September 1990
Diameter Class
Volume per ha
(cum)
Stems per ha
(Number)
Diameter Class
Volume per ha
(cum)
Stems per ha
(Number)
20-30 cm
30-40 cm
40-50 cm
TOTAL
50-60 cm
60-70 cm
70-80 cm
>80 cm
TOTAL
1.55
4.27
6.40
12.21
1.95
21.88
30.32
17.14
71.29
3.73
5.35
4.22
13.31
0.92
7.11
7.18
2.96
18.17
20-30 cm
30-50 cm
40-50 cm
TOTAL
50-60 cm
60-70 cm
70-80 cm
>80 cm
TOTAL
2.40
4.45
4.83
11.68
3.00
17.23
20.42
9.69
50.34
6.15
6.04
3.70
15.89
1.58
6.37
5.88
2.05
15.38
Occurrence of Species Group (Percent)
Below 50 cm
(Residual)
26.7
27.2
45.8
Group
1
2
3
Above 50 cm
(Crop)
39.92
27.26
32.87
1
2
3
Predominance of Species (Percent)
Species
Intsia bijuga
Pometia pinnata
Pimeleodendron
spp
Myristica spp
Terminalia spp
Celtis spp
Below 50 cm
(Residual)
10.08
9.53
7.84
6.12
-
Below 50 cm
(Residual)
34.19
26.67
39.31
Group
Above 50 cm
(Crop)
65.17
18.87
15.93
Above 50 cm
(Crop)
27.41
5.69
3.34
4.94
Species
Intsia bijuga
Pometia pinnata
Celtis spp
Below 50 cm
(Residual)
21.11
8.21
8.43
8.13
7.51
Above 50 cm
(Crop)
54.03
6.10
4.72
Table 1.5. Pre-harvest inventory in set-ups in years 1997 and 2002 in VTA
Name of Setup: PL 19
Name of Setup: BA 20
Area of Setup: 133 ha
Area of Setup: 150 ha
Date of inventory: February 1997
Date of inventory: October 2002
Diameter Class
Volume per ha
(cum)
Stems per ha
(Number)
Diameter Class
Volume per ha
(cum)
Stems per ha
(Number)
50-60 cm
60-70 cm
70-80 cm
>80 cm
TOTAL
0
1.89
6.40
10.00
18.29
0
0.65
1.56
1.63
3.83
50-60 cm
60-70 cm
70-80 cm
>80 cm
TOTAL
0.09
2.26
4.18
0.49
7.02
0.06
1.01
1.29
0.11
2.48
Group
Below 50 cm
(Residual)
Above 50 cm
(Crop)
Group
Below 50 cm
(Residual)
Above 50 cm
(Crop)
1
2
3
Not inventoried
44.82
25.10
29.85
1
2
3
Not inventoried
36.34
43.93
29.87
Species
Intsia bijuga
Pometia pinnata
Anisoptera spp
Canarium spp
Below 50 cm
(Residual)
Above 50 cm
(Crop)
Species
Not inventoried
17.50
10.59
9.12
6.05
Instsia biluga
Campnosperma spp
Dillenia papuana
Terminalia spp
Palaquim spp
Below 50 cm
(Residual)
Above 50 cm
(Crop)
Not inventoried
27.84
11.86
6.18
4.20
3.40
Note: Differences in percentage and other quantitative information may be noted due to rounding off.
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4.6 Log Ramps and Loading Stations
Loading stations are located on high grounds and their area and number must be limited to the barest
minimum so as not to create unnecessary disturbance around the place. Placing a log ramps in areas which
entail heavy soil excavation and movements is avoided. A natural level area is best suited for this purpose.
4.7 Logging Operations
The system of logging carried out is selective cutting as in other cases, with directional felling of trees having
a minimum diameter of 50 cm DBH strictly following the PNG Logging Code of Practice and specifically the
Key Standards for Selection Logging in PNG. Logging is conducted carefully such that adequate number
and volume of residuals are left to form the tree crop for the future. This is being done assuming that the
future land use will allow for selective logging and sustained yield management operations, properly
monitored and evaluated (though this assumption is not borne out by the TP and the related regulations,
which are all designed for one cutting to remove commercial stock). The company is not following any other
systems or concepts of logging (e.g. RIL). All operations are mechanized, using chain saws for felling, a
combination of crawler tractors and tyred skidders for removing logs to landings and trucks for long distance
hauling. The mechanical equipment used for logging in VTA include: excavators and shovels 5,
roller/compactor 1, grader 5, tractors 40, bull dozers 34, skidders 11, loaders 19, forklift 10, trucks of different
types 47 and chain saws of different specifications 65. These are distributed to logging camps where there
are stock of spare parts and facilities for routine repairs, in addition to the main facilities available in the
company headquarters in Vanimo. Three logging camps are now in operation.
Actual logging operations are carried out by the company crew, divided into 3 teams: Pual, Sereri and
Owa. After felling and bucking, the logs are scaled, normally at the stump site, by a licensed scaler (and
often re-scaled to meet log export requirements, to the satisfaction of SGS). After scaling, the logs are
skidded to the log yards. To avoid soil disturbance, skidding distance is kept to the minimum.
Logs in the log yards are hauled, in most cases, to a transit loading point from where it is transported
either to the mill yard or log pond in Vanimo. The use of transit loading point is to bring out as many logs as
possible when the weather is dry. Average road transportation distance from the forest to Vanimo town is
over 100 km; and it takes less than one month from tree felling to the mill yard or log pond. River drive is
not feasible in VTA.
In view of the long road haulage involved, and the short length of skidding preferred for environmental
considerations, the company maintains a comparatively high average road density 20m/ha for main roads
and 120m/ha for side roads. The company takes all precautions to reduce logging damages and wastes.
The company has to pay the normal changes for avoidable damages to commercial logs. Such damages do
not normally exceed 5%. Total damages including high stumps, lops and tops, hollow and low quality
materials which cannot be marketed and damages caused to residual trees during logging etc. will, however,
be much higher.
The sequence of all logging operations are periodically monitored and reviewed by Sandaun Provincial
Forestry Office in Vanimo.
The company fully observes all the environmental precautions as stipulated – to protect the buffers not
to cut prohibited trees or in prohibitedareas, setting apart conservation areas and leaving 2 to 3 seed trees
of Kwila (Intsia bijuga) for every 150 ha of forest logged.
4.8 Volume Logged
During the period 1991 to 2001, the actual volume logged by the company was as follows.
Year
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002 (Jan-Jun, 6 months)
Volume (Cu.m)
101,243
98,852
207,386
254,153
47,236
234,359
271,424
78,961
261,922
282,316
206,486
68,486
In all cases the volume logged was lower than AAC, as per the TP. During the years 1999-2001, the
percentages of actual to AAC approved in the TP were 87.3, 94.1 and 68.8 respectively. The company uses
the AAC as a guide for preparing the annual logging plan, where the log production targeted depends on a
combination of factors including the stock condition of the coupe.
The company submits a statement of logs produced on a monthly basis to the authorities and remits
the levies and charges due. Royalty of 10 Kina per cum and agriculture levy of one kina per cum directly
benefits the landowners. Reforestation levy of one Kina per cum goes to the central government provincial
levy of 1.5 kina per cum and infrastructure levy of 2.5 kina per cum are handled by the Provincial
Government.
4.9 Post Harvest Operations
Post harvest operations are of two types:
a. Required for reporting “completion of logging activities in a setup”, to obtain clearance of
PNGFA and authorization to start work in the next setup; and silvicultural operations to support
and ensure sustainable forest management.
b. Those relating to completion of setup operations include decommissioning of temporary roads
and trails, ripping of log landings, cleaning of logging debris in creeks/streams and so on.
Representative of PNGFA will verify the completion report to determine whether logging has
been done properly.
c. Those operations of silvicultural nature include residual tree marking, post harvest inventory,
permanent sample plots, TSI, regeneration surveys, protection activities etc. as provided for in
the Environmental Plan of the company.
Processing of Logs
One element of SFM is the local capability to process the raw material into value-added products. According
to the project agreement the company shall, at its own cost, construct a sawmill and install all ancillary plant,
machinery, and equipment to commence commercial production not later than the commencement of the
third quarter of Project Year 1. The sawmill shall have a log input design capacity of not less than 90,000
cum per annum on a one shift (8 hour) basis, and the Company shall process through the sawmill a
minimum of 85,000 cum of logs by Project Year 5 and each Project Year thereafter. The company can
exceed the log input volume with prior written approval of the appropriate Government authority. Currently,
the sawmill process only Kwila (Intsia bijuga) logs mainly for producing deckings. The recovery ratio is about
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192
50%. There is no kiln drying facility and the sawn products are air-dried before shipment. Entire production
of the sawmill is exported. Currently there is no levy on sawn wood export.
The sawmill employs some 380 persons.
4.10 Log Export
Round logs are exported mainly to China, Japan and Korea. China mainly takes Group 4 logs. Log export
to these countries in 2001 totaled to about 134,000 cum. All log export operations are monitored by SGS.
The project agreement specifies: that the company shall at all times comply with the Exports (Control
and Valuation) Act, Chapter 108 of the Revised Laws of Papua New Guinea as amended from time to time;
that the Company should advise the state of the details of any long term commitment for the sale of logs,
subject to the company’s permitted annual log export volume; and, that the Company shall employ sound
marketing practices including product research and promotion, product quality control and diversification of
market outlets.
Price of logs in the world market has continuously fallen during the last few years. While the peeler logs
of Kwila (Intsia bijuga) fetches as mush as US $ 100, the average FOB price for prime species currently is
only about US $ 55.
There is a log shipment premium of 5% over the FOB price, which directly goes for the benefit of
landowners.
All the logs from VTA are shipped through the Vanimo Harbour. Vanimo Harbour is the only place along
the coast which is suitable for anchorage of ocean going vessels. The company now maintains a multimillion Kina wharf capable of berthing and loading of about 10 kiloton vessel.
4.11 Investment and Log Costing
Of the total investment in company operations, 15% is accounted by the sawmill and 85% by logging
operations.
4.12 Residual Tree Marking
Also known as cut over assessment, this is being done to measure the efficiency of the logging crew as
regards to their ability to retain sufficient number of undamaged commercial tree residuals for the
succeeding cutting cycle. Although it is only confined to a one hectare sample plot for every 200 hectares
logged over, it gives a measure of the harvest performance.
4.13 Post harvest Inventory
Following the completion of the felling and snigging operations, a post harvest assessment will be
undertaken, to determine crop trees remaining, residual crops remaining, logging damages and the
efficiency of the logging crew.
Comparing the post harvest inventory with the pre-harvest inventory can provide valuable insight on
how to conduct logging as a “silvicultural” operation and how to manage the residual stock.
The data from the area logged over in 1986, 1987 and 1988, shows that the remaining residual stand
of 50 centimeters DBH and up was about 48 cubic meters per hectare. The reason for such a high incidence
of mature trees in logged over area is that they are of low-value species which had no market at the time of
logging. If they are retained for silvicultural reasons (e.g. minimum distance prescribed between trees
marked to be cut), it is a step towards SFM.
4.14 Permanent Sample Plots
Permanent sample plots (and also continuous inventory plots) were used to monitor growth and mortality of
the residual stands. The number of PSPs prescribed was one plot of one hectare for every 200 hectares of
logged over area.
Analysis of the data gathered from PSPs in the 1986,1987 and 1988 operations showed that the
number of healthy residuals 20 cms and up in diameter left per ha after operation was about 120 and the
volume per hectare was120.6 cum. The data was taken from 21 one-hectare PSPs distributed randomly in
the area logged over during the three years. The figure indicates that the logging would have been very
light, and the original standing stock would have been very good.
4.15 Timber Stand Improvement
Timber stand improvement covers the various silvicultural techniques applied to the management of the
logged-over areas, including assisted (gap) regeneration, enrichment planting, canopy manipulation to
encourage valuable species and better growth etc. The environmental plan for VTA had originally provided
for TSI at the rate of 1,000 per ha per year. After about three years, this activity has been discontinued, as
it is currently not a requirement. The company’s obligation is now limited to payment of reforestation levy,
even though little is done by PNGFA with that levy, to benefit forestry. Also the landowners make garden in
the areas prepared for TSI and later blackmail the company for compensation.
4.16 Regeneration Survey
Regeneration surveys are meant to assess the status of natural regeneration and to design measures to
ensure adequate regeneration – e.g. leaving adequate number of mother trees, supplementing natural
regeneration with artificial planting in lines or blocks etc3. Generally, natural regeneration in VTA is
considered to be good. There is no information available on the regenerative capability of individual species
under logged-over condition.
4.17 Fire Protection
Forest fires are not considered as a problem in VTA; and no fire protection measures (e.g. Fire Crew,
Equipment, Lookout Towers, Training in Fire Fighting) are in place.
The pre-1991 Forest Policy and regulations had required at least some of the above silvicultural and
protection activities as part of the post-logging operations. Under the new Forest Regulation (1996) no postlogging silvicultural activities need be undertaken.
4.18 Log Utilization
Logs produced by VFP are utilized partly as input into its sawmill in Vanimo and partly by export as raw logs.
Utilization during the last four years have been as given in Table 5.6.
Table 1.6. Log utilization by Vanimo forest products Pty Ltd
Year
Log production (Cu.m)
Input for saw milling (Cu.m)
Log export (Cu.m)
1998
1999
2000
2001
Jan-Jun, 2002
110,785
259,652
280,977
211,342
23,019
69,960
54,521
60,369
67,351
117,368
209,800
134,149
Note: Difference are accounted for by carry forward stock.
Based on log production for export and saw milling, during the period 01 January 2002 to 30 June
2002, total cost per cum of logs (excluding Export Duty) has been estimated as about K148, as follows:
3 The
Department of Conservation and Environment did some tree planting in VTA; but it was not continued
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194
(i) By bature of expenditure (Cost K/cum)
Direct Costs
Wages (Nationals)
11.60
Wages (Expatriates)
15.90
Fuel & running costs
33.90
R&M – spare parts
40.10
Equipment hire
0.00
Agriculture levy
1.00
Reforestation levy
1.00
Provincial Government levy
2.50
Infrastructure levy
1.00
Royalty
10.80
Material & Supplies
1.50
Fruit crop compensation
0.00
Land rental/compensation
2.00
Stevedore wages
1.40
Stevedore expenses
0.00
Power & telephone for working 0.20
Contractor fees
0.90
Total Direct Costs
123.80
Indirect Cost
School & aid posts
Rental
Lease rental
Travelling – local
Travelling – overseas
Insurance
Depreciation – equipment
Depreciation – road/building
Total Indirect costs
Administration overheads
Total Production Costs
ii) By object of expenditure (Cost K/cum)
Roading
3.12
Survey
3.35
Logging
102.06
Workshop
10.24
Townyard
2.26
Shipping
12.20
Administration Overheads
14.9
Total Cost
148.15
0.00
0.00
2.40
0.40
1.10
0.10
5.50
0.00
9.50
14.91
148.21
Note: i) The difference in the total I s due to rounding off of the average per cum cost by items.
ii) The cost does not include export duty and premium.
Against this, the average price obtained per cum of logs sold during the same period (January-June
2002) was K211.
5.0
BENEFITS GENERATED
5.1 Charges and Levies
The Vanimo timber project holds the key to the provincial revenue in the form of royalty money – 25% to
Provincial Government and 75% to the landowners of the TRP. Provincial and infrastructure levies provide
additional income flow. Export duty (30% of FOB value)and reforestation levy entirely go to the account of
the Central Government. Export premium (15% of the FOB value per cum of logs exported) and agriculture
levy are meant to directly benefit the landowners, through land owner groups, companies or clan agents.
Project and training levies are spent by the company directly for rural/social development projects and
training/scholarship activities for the landowners. The government regulations specify the manner of, and
responsibility for, the use of various charges and levies.
During the period of 01 January 1990 to 30 June 2002 the total of all charges/levies generated based
on the Company’s activities amounted to K163.6 million and annual average of K 13.1 million. (see Tables
1.7 and 1.8)
3 The
Department of Conservation and Environment did some tree planting in VTA; but it was not continued
Table 1.8. An apportionment of the total charges and levies
Details
As revenue of Central Government
As Revenue of Provincial Government
For Benefit of Land Owners
Total
Total for 12.5 years (Kina)
Annual average (Kina)
117,550,794.20
10,318,477.92
35,779,441.76
163,648,683.88
9,404,063.54
825,478.23
2,862,352.94
13,091,894.71
5.2 Employment
Total number of regular employees in the company is 946, consisting of 28 professionals, 183 skilled
workers and 735 unskilled workers. Including casual and contractual labour, the peak season employment
of unskilled labour, often, goes over 1,00.
The company employs 57 expatriate workers, representing 6% of the total (See Table 1.9)
Table 1.9. Details of employment in VFI
Sector
Logging
Saw Milling
Total
Expatriate
Nationals
Total
32
25
57
532
357
889
564
382
946
Expatriates are essentially professional and skilled workers having supervisory and managerial
responsibilities, or engaged in skilled operations.
National are engaged in a wide range of skilled and unskilled jobs: chainsaw operators, dozer
operators, jinkers, loader operators, logging crew, yard crew, road workers, mill floor workers, workshop
labour, mess workers, administrative and security staff and so on. The number of national staff tends to be
excessive compared to the need. Because of the extra cash income and other benefits derivable, villages
in VTA want to have their people employed by the company, particularly if the operations are taking place
in their vicinity. For sake of social amity, often, it will be necessary to employ local landowners even when
there is no need for extra labour.
The company labour is not unionized. Wages are not decided on the basis of collective bargaining. It
is based on national minimum wages (with a mark-up added by the company).
5.3 Additional Benefits
Additional benefits provided to the employees includes: housing with electricity and water supply, health
care, children’s schooling and pick-up for work free of cost, paid holiday for 3 weeks every year, sick leave,
accident compensation, group insurance, 3% annual upward adjustment in salary, and retirement benefits.
There are different kinds of training programmes organized for upgrading the quality and competence
of employees. The localization plan of the company is very vital, as it is aimed to promote the trade skills
into the industry, whereby the resource owners would learn to convert their resources into cash economy.
Often, the landowners, after obtaining the training tend to expect/demand disproportionate rise in their
salary, which often leads to unnecessary tension and dissatisfaction.
The company gives high importance for its worker’s safety. The safety record of the company is
excellent in that there has not been any fatal incidents or mortality (except for liquor-influenced fights among
local workers).
Absenteeism and quick turnover are also high among national work force in VFP, compared to the
logging outfits in Gulf and Western provinces (probably because of easy access to cheap diversions).
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6.0
STAFFING AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
At the company level, there is a Board of Directions supported by a General Manager, who controls four
important divisions (Figure A).
7.0
SUPPORT TO SOCIAL/RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Apart from the direct cash payments to the landowners, VFP support social/rural development in the area,
as part of its annual plan of operation.
8.0
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
As part of the company obligations, VFP has been involved in developing infrastructure in VTA. These
include:
• Roads and bridges, including major project such as East-West Highway of about 108 kms
length between Bliri river and Pual River, (connecting Aitape with provincial capital Vanimo) and
Pual bridge, apart from a large number of branch roads.
• Support for maintaining air strips/runways; enhancing the infrastructure of Vanimo Township
(e.g. heavy by-pass road, tar sealing of roads, wharf development, crafts school, international
school, hotel and shopping facilities).
• Providing educational facilities including: building of primary schools, class rooms, dormitories,
teacher’s house, administration blocks, recreation areas, toilets, water tanks; supply of desks,
school kits.
• Providing health facilities including: construction and upgrading of aid posts, clinics, wards,
staff houses, water tanks and catchments, ratio stores, toilets and ablution block; operation
theatre and mortuary unit in Vanimo; supply of generators.
• Mitigating the problem of malnutrition in villages through installing fresh water supply system
and guidance services.
• During 2002, VFP constructed one double class room, upgraded two aid posts, built 13.5 km
of branch road to villages, installed two water supply system and supplied two wokabaut
sawmills.
VFP activities have promoted/facilitated local business development and additional employment in
service activities. A major spin-off of timber activities by VFP has been the development of local business
(retail shops, transport, contract stevedoring, security services etc) and employment for local people as
transport workers, security guards, shop assistants, restaurant workers, tailors etc.
It is the policy of VFP to promote, support, encourage, and assist Papua New Guinean individuals,
groups and companies within the Project Area in the establishment of enterprises, which are capable either
of providing goods and services directly and indirectly in support of the Project, or of using products of the
Project. The Company provides technical and managerial advice, assistance and artisan training.
Board of Directors
General manager
(Executive Director)
Dy general Manager
(See Notes)
Production (Serra)
Finance &
Administration
(See Notes)
Production (Vanimo)
Logging Manager (3)
Roading Manager (2)
Sawmill Manager (1)
Sawmill
Production (1)
Survey Manager (1)
Logging Supervisor (6)
Roading (Supervisor (3)
Sawmill Supervisor (3)
Forest Planning
Supervisor (1)
Survey Supervisor (3)
Log Graders (6)
Roading Foreman (3)
Sawmill Doctors (3)
Logging Crew
Roading Crew
Sawmill Crew
Foresters
(6)
Survey Crew
Note: The Deputy General Manager controls Managers, Shipping Managers and Personnel Manager
Finance and Administration controls Chief Accountant, Marketing Manager, and Administration and Property Manager
Responsibility for production activities is shared between two units, Serra and Vanimo
Figure A. Organizational structure of Vanimo forest products Pty Ltd
VFP has also been promoting small business development through landowners youth groups. The
company gives priority to Papua New Guinean subcontractors (e.g. building and maintaining roads and other
infrastructures and for wholesale and retail supplies), especially those owned and operated by people from (i)
within the Project Area (ii) within Sandaun Province; and (iii) within Papua New Guinea, in that order of priority,
where service are available from them at competitive prices and conditions, including work standards. The local
business development plan of the company offers business ventures like dump truck hiring, personnel carrier
services, carpentry work etc. (to support directly of indirectly the operation of the project) to local establishments.
The need to provide fresh foods, fish, meat and vegetables to the Company is yet another means of such
business opportunities. The company has identified over 50 such potential opportunities.
9.0
LAND-USE DEVELOPMENT
In order to help the landowners to continue land development after the timber operations are terminated,
VFP is helping the landowners to improve land uses through development of commercial crops such as Oil
Palm, Coffee, Cocoa and Vanilla as well as of fishponds and aqua culture. Fourty (40) sites have been
developed for propagating Vanilla. To ensure development of the agriculture projects, the company is
providing free cocoa seedlings and vanilla cuttings to all interested landowner in the project. Lack of
extension services and marketing facilities are important constraints.
10.0
SCHOLARSHIPS AND HIGHER EDUCATION
VFP arranges and sponsors scholarships for higher education of youngsters from land-owning families.
While there are primary schools (up to 6th standard) in at least 50% of all the villages in the VTA, high school
facilities are available only in Vanimo. Wewak has a technical training college, and the nearest available
facilities for professional college education are in Lae and Madang. Presently, there are seven persons
among landowners with professional level education: 4 Lawyers, one Journalist, one Forester and one
Medical Practitioner. In regard to arranging scholarships the company directly handles the training levy
equal to 2% of the amount spent for salary of nationals employed. Scholarships are awarded in consultation
with the landowning groups. Currently, there are 15 national students at the Vanimo International School
which the company is sponsoring at K 3,000 each or K45,000 per annum.
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11.0
SOCIAL AMENITIES AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
The company also helps the landowners to enhance their social amenities and cultural activities by
sponsoring sports organizations and providing sports facilities, assisting church and religious organization,
protecting areas of cultural importance and promoting health and hygiene. Even though the responsibility
for maintaining infrastructure is with the Provincial Government, the company often is compelled to carry
out that function within its area of operation, as an activity outside its obligation.
At the end of each project year, the company makes a report on the performance/achievements of the
social development projects undertaken, to the provincial authorities.
12.0
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
VTA consists of an ecologically important forest area; and it is an important watershed.
the project area, it is believed that there are five protected species of birds – four of these are in the
Paradisaea family and the fifth one in the Columbidaea family , namely: Circinnurus regius – King Bird of
paradise; Craspedophora magnifica – Magnificent Rifle Bird; Manucodia ater - Glossy Mantled Manucode;
Paradisaea minor – Lesser Bird of Paradise; Goura Scheepmakeri – Scheepmakeri Crown Pidgeon. There
are no endangered species in the area.
Even though the local communities have the legal right under customary law, to make gardens (shifting
cultivation) and hunt for food, these activites cannot by themselves cause any environmental degradation
affecting the natural flora and fauna.
In view of the importance of safeguarding the environmental contributions of the area, logging in VTA
is being carried out subject to the provisions of an Environmental Plan.
The Environmental Plan of VTA prescribes various measures that will be taken to prevent or mitigate
the adverse environmental effects; and these, among others, include the following:
• Implementation of selective logging
• No logging in rough and precipitous area of 30 degrees and over 100 meters
• Exclusive of buffer zone of about 50 meters on river and creek margins, proximity of villages
and fragile areas.
• Exclusion of sites of cultural, customary, traditional, ethnological and archaeological
importance from logging.
• Thorough inspection and assessment of logged set-ups to ensure compliance including
assessment of damages to residual stand.
• Spacing or loading stations not less than 500 meters apart and keeping them away from
streams to avoid siltation and debris pollution.
• Application of proper standards in road and drainage construction to avoid soil erosion; road
clearance to be done only to the extent necessary to keep the road surface dry.
• Locate and construct skidding trails in such a way that water is diverted from them.
• Cleaning of all logging debris such as cables, drums, ropes, etc.
• Application of proper (directional) tree felling and extraction techniques to avoid damage to
residual trees.
• Implementation of all measures for preservation and conservation of fauna and flora;
retaining/increasing game refuge areas.
• Keeping unused logging roads closed to outsiders so that they have no free access to the
logged-over areas to collect and hunt wild life.
According to the TP and Project Agreement, the company shall not permit (except with the permission
of the customary owners) its employees, or its subcontractors, or the employees of any of its subcontractors
or agents to make garden, hunt, fish or erect buildings for personal use in the Project Area, its rivers or the
sea adjacent thereto.
The company takes extra precaution to avoid hostile relationship with landowners; and as far as
possible try to accommodate their demands even when they are outside the agreed obligations.
Moreover, all company activities are regularly and periodically monitored and evaluated by PNGFA and
the Department of Conservation and Environment.
13.0
FUTURE PROGRAMMES
The validity of TP 10-8 (and the corresponding validity of TRP of Vanimo Timber Area) is due to expire in
another 6 to 7 years. There is no provision in the Agreement for renewal of the concession for another full
cycle; nor is the company interested, for practical reasons: (i) because of the improved infrastructure and
other developments, the expectation of direct benefits on the part of landowners is unrealistically high, (ii)
there is inadequate information on how the residual stock will behave and the apprehension that the quantity
and quality of the second cycle logs will not provide the type of raw material required for the type of the
integrated operation envisaged. However, there are still unlogged areas within the concession under TP 108 and VFP is interested in an extension of the present period of TP 10-8 to extract the available timber in
the unlogged area.
Considering the steps and formalities and the gestation period involved in obtaining a Timber Permit,
VFP has submitted to GoPNG, on behalf of WTK Realty Group, a 35 year development proposal for
Amanab FMA Blocks 1-4.
If the proposal is approved, a new company (subsidiary of WTK) will be formed to manage the
development operations.
13.1 Amanab Project Proposal
The project proposal envisions an integrated development of forestry and value-added processing of the
premium species, in particular Kwila (Intsia bijuga) for export market, utilizing the forest resource of Amanab
FMA Blocks 1,2,3,4.
The establishment of a fully integrated processing and manufacturing facilities at Kwomtari (Block 4)
and the installation of appropriate technology will result in the full on-shore 100% processing of the Kwila
volume, estimated to be 45% of species composition within the Intsia bijuga Amanab FMA, after the third
year of the project establishment.
The project proposes to further add value to the technically peelable species, estimated to contain
some 40% of the resource, on-shore at the Vanimo Veneer and Plywood Mill. A limited volume of some 20%
of the annual production of round log, consisting of technically upeelable species will be made available for
log export.
The integrated processing facilities will be supported by a knockdown furniture shop, a moulding, a
parquet flooring, and finger joints facilities, including five (5) kiln dryers, each with a capacity of 80cum.
The Amanab FMA is located 170 km South of Vanimo, Vanimo Green District, Sandaun Province. It
consists of 4 contiguous Blocks with a total gross area of 245,900 hectares, or a net operable area of
142,283 ha (an area of 103,615 ha being non-productive). The overall estimated net stand density is
3,291,000 cum or a sustainable harvest volume of 94,000 cum per annum, stretched over a 35 years period.
To conform to the Provincial Government’s need for sustainable socio-economic development within
the project area, and with a view to broaden and strengthen the life-base and to ameliorate the living
conditions of the local community, the project also plans to promote and to develop integrated agricultural
activities, in liaison with the administration of the Province, by improving existing, and establishing new,
projects within each of the Blocks of the Amanab FMA.
Consistent with the above, the proposal is to focus on the agriculture and community-related projects
in the following manner: Block 1
Block 2
Block 3
Block 4
Support/expand rubber project at Green River and Diaru
Development of industrial tree plantation; Eaglewood plantation
Development of 10,000 ha of oil palm plantation
Development of, and expansion of, coffee and cocoa project
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The potential for cattle ranching in the grassland areas of Blocks 1,2,3 and 4 will be explored including
crocodile farming along the Green and Sepik rivers. A cottage industry based upon the abundance of rattan
cane and eaglewood, to be based at Kwomtari, will also be explored and technical/logistical assistance to
develop the project will be provided.
A separate department, to be tasked with the responsibility of ensuring implementation of communityrelated programmes, will established within the corporate structure of the company.
14.0
SUCCESS CRITERIA AND CONSTRAINTS
VFP considers its operations a success in SFM, within the criteria applicable in the context of PNG,
particularly considering the constraints in managing customary land.
14.1 Success Criteria
The following are some of the successful aspects of VFP operations
• The company has propitiously comply with all the conditions specified in the TP and Project
Agreement, and the stipulations and guidelines contained in NFP 1990, Forestry Act 1991 (as
amended), Forest Regulation 1998,m PNG Logging Code of Practice and Key Standards for
Selection Logging in PNG 1995, as well as other government regulations and procedures.
• Implementation of company activities relating to roading, logging, hauling etc, and land-use
management of the concession area are based on a long-term Environment Plan, ensuring that
conservation considerations get high priority.
• All company operations, particularly those in logging set-ups, are being regularly monitored and
evaluated by the relevant government agencies, and they are fully satisfied with the good
performance of VFP.
• There have been no court cases or other forms of allegations against the company for
contravention of agreement conditions or regulations.
• The company has ensured that the actual log harvest level has, over the years, been less than
the AAC established as per the Agreement. Because of the low intensity of logging and the very
low population density in VTA, forest recovery is almost instantaneous, with no adverse
environmental impact.
• The company realizes that the success of a project depends so much on the cooperation and
support of the local people. The company proposals for developing VTA in 1990 had received
social acceptability; and VFP continues to maintain harmonious relationship with the land
owning community and is always willing to go the extra distance to satisfy their demands
(including compensation claims).
• The direct and indirect benefits derived by the local people in the form of: royalty share and
levies, wage employment in the company, additional income and employment generated in
secondary enterprises and service activities, new and improved social infrastructure, rural
development projects and localization schemes have gone a long way to improve the overall
socio-economic condition o the land owning community of VTA.
• A properly structured organization and a well-trained and experienced staff of the company
have ensured sound and sustainable management of the forests.
• While the company has executed a performance bond as required, there has been no occasion
for the PNGFA to draw it, for any dereliction on the part of the company.
14.2 Constraints
There are still several constraints, but for which better results could have been achieved. These, among
others, include the following:
• Customary land tenure, and the distorted interpretation of customary right becoming a sort of
“tyranny of the tradition”. While the rights are loudly claimed, the voice about community
responsibility is highly muted. This is a subject on which much has been written by Papua New
Guineans and expatriate experts. Encumbered by the need to satisfy the unreasonable claims
of the community (e.g. claiming new and additional areas over and above those included in the
Agreement as cultural and sacred sites, claiming compensation for temporary parking of
vehicles due to breakdown etc.), not supported by legal agreement or regulations, often
accompanied by road closing to prevent entry (which tantamount to blackmail and extortion),
the permit holders find it difficult and highly expensive to maintain social harmony and amity.
The combined effect of cost increase and price fall for timber has recently affected the capacity
of the company to go out of the terms and conditions of the Agreement, to satisfy the land
owners.
• Frequent changes in policy, rules, regulations and procedures leading to unanticipated (often
unnecessary) costs to the investor, Along with the unpredictable behavior of the landowner
groups, these add to the risks and uncertainties4, clouding the investment environment.
• The Timber Projects in PNG strictly are log harvesting projects, and not sustainable forest
management projects. The conditions of TP and Agreement and all the related regulations deal
with one time removal of mature logs (based on diameter limit), and do not deal with: long term
management planning, survey and demarcation of permanent boundaries of forest blocks and
FMUs (annual corpes/set ups?), inventory of forest resources including study of crop condition
and size residual stock survey, sanitary operations, establishment of PSPs for growth and
mortality assessment, fire protection measures, TSI, enrichment planning and gap planting to
enhance the crop and stock), selection of mother tress, control records for compartments/set
ups etc.
• In the absence of a clear code for SFM, with landowners looking for a reason to claim
compensation (e.g. because TSI has spoiled their garden), the operators prefer to avoid
complications by doing only what is legally required, in spite of their inadequacies to address
all the dimensions of SFM.
• Inadequate efforts on people’s development. The overall condition of the local community
landowners leaves much to be desired. They essentially follow hunting and gathering and
primitive agricultural practices for livelihood. Standard of cash crop management/production,
whether it exists, is poor and not competitive. Small-scale business and artisanal activities
using orchids, giant fern, sandalwood, crocodile, rattan and other NWFPs does not seem to
prosper (in spite of support from Christian Missions), mainly due to the attitude of the people to
cash-based economy. While they receive cash income from the timber operations, they have
no aptitude or interest for money management, and is happy to spend it as quickly as possible,
being affected by “cargo cult”. There are no meaningful government programmes aimed at
integrated community development. Comprehensive social surveys have also not been done as
a necessary step towards identifying the underlying causes for the situation and designing
people-oriented rural development.
• Misinformed campaigns and irresponsible behaviour on the part of some NGOs. NGOs often
tend to sensationalize matters by bringing forth allegations. To site an example: Forest Monitor
Ltd. And Individual and Community Rights Advocacy Forum Inc. wildly alleged that VFP has
violated at least 13 of the Key Standards of the PNG Loggings Code of Practice. The NGOs
claim to have conducted an environmental and social impact assessment of the VFP operation
in May 1999. The company was not notified about it, as courtesy would demand; nor the
company staff interviewed to check the veracity of their information. Some of the allegations are
outright false: e.g. the allegations that culturally significant areas have been negligently
damaged (no such cases have happened); a fledgling palm seed export business have been
threatened (no such business exists in VTA); clean water for processing sago has been
4
Currently, there is no export duty on sawn wood, being a measure to encouraging local processing. But it is not clear how long this
incentive will continue and whether there will also be a premium on export of sawnwood.
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damaged (no sago processing business within VTA). In others, the company is blamed for
delays without looking into the reasons for the delay – e.g. the delay in the completing EastWest Highway (the delay was due to the time taken to decide on alternative alignment involving
longer distance and to obtain agreement of all parties involved). Yet, others are the result of
ignorance –e.g. undersized logs are cut by the company (in any operation undersized logs may
result from utilizing top log from a tree or from utilizing trees felled for road clearance). Probably,
the NGOs preferred the version of someone who has an axe to grind against VFP.
• The week law and order situation in the country is yet another constraint, though not specific
to logging and forest management.
15.0
CONCLUSIONS
In the present situation of low population density and limited access to outsiders, logged over forests can
recover fast, supported by congenial weather and soil condition. In the long run, however, the situation is
likely to change and controlled access can cause havoc on the land. Evidence of it can already be seen in
the areas surrounding the major cities, to a radius of several kilometer (e.g. Port Moresby).
A change in the attitude of customary landowners in favor of sustainable land use; appropriate
modifications to the land tenure systems, to be capable of facilitating economic growth; an enhanced and
realistic forest and land use policies; and an all-out effort for human resource development at the rural level,
may provide the key to effectively improve the situation.
16.0
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author wishes to express his profound thanks to Dr. C. Chandrasekharan ITTO consultant for his
support and guidance in preparing this case study. Sincere appreciation is likewise extended to the officers
and staff of the PNG Forest Authority and Department of Environment and Conservation for their unending
cooperation and assistance towards the successful implementation of company projects and operations and
last but not the least, due recognition is also in order to the men and women of the Vanimo Forest Products
Limited for their unselfish and outstanding direction for the company and for their assistance in compiling
the necessary information.
PRODUCERS’ CO-OPERATIVES ENSURE BETTER MANAGEMENT OF AND
ENHANCED INCOME FROM, NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCTS AND
EMPOWER THE COMMUNITY:
THE CASE OF MADHYA PRADASH STATE MINOR FOREST PRODUCE
(TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT) CO-OPERATIVE FEDERATION LTD.
LES COOPERATIVES DE PRODUCTEURS PERMETTENT DE MIEUX GERER LES PRODUITS FORESTIERS
NON LIGNEUX, D’AUGMENTER LES REVENUS A EN TIRER, ET DE RESPONSABILISER LA COMMUNAUTÉ:
LE CAS DE LA MINOR FOREST PRODUCTS (TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT) CO-OPERATIVE LTD
DANS L’ETAT DE MADHYA PRADESH
LAS COOPERATIVAS DE PRODUCTORES PERMITEN ASEGURAR UNA MEJOR ORDENACIÓN DE
LOS PRODUCTOS FORESTALES NO MADERABLES, DERIVAR MAYORES INGRESOS DE LOS
MISMOS Y POTENCIAR A LAS COMUNIDADES:
EL CASO DE LA MADHYA PRADESH MINOR FOREST PRODUCE
(TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT) CO-OPERATIVE FEDERATION LTD.
R. Prasad
Conservador en Jefe Principal de Bosques
Madhya Pradesh State, India
SUMMARY
Madhya Pradesh State Minor Forest Produce (Trade and Development) Co-operative Federation Ltd. (MP-MFP-CFL or
simply the Co-operative), an autonomous body, was established in 1984. It is the responsible and regulatory authority
for resource management, harvesting, trading and development of non-wood forest products (NWFPs) in Madhya
Pradesh state, one of the 35 States and Union Territories in India. Its jurisdiction covers mostly the deciduous tropical
forests of central India.
The prime purpose of the Co-operative, is to save the minor forest produce (MFP) collectors from the clutches of
middle men; to ensure fair wages and benefits to the collectors; to rationalize marketing of products; to empower the
community in managing their own affairs through appropriate institutional arrangements; and to ensure that the
resources are sustainably managed and protected.
The establishment of the Co-operative was prompted by the Constitutional Amendments 73 and 74 which provided for
transfer of ownership of NWFPs to Gram Sabhas/ Panchayats (please explain) in States having sizable tribal population,
and the policy of the MP State Government to promote the development of the backward and tribal communities.
Following a pyramidal structure, the Co-operative, is comprised of 1,947 Primary Societies (with a total membership of
5 million MFP gatherers) in which all the NWFP collecting families are members, formed into 58 District MFP Co-operative
Unions and a National Apex Body. The extent of forests falling under the purview of the Co-operative is about 8.6 million ha;
and the Federation, at various levels in its structure, employs about 50,000 people. The rights and privileges of the members
of the primary societies, their responsibilities in terms of managing the resources and delivering the products at the collection
centers, payment of wages and sharing of benefits equitably, the functions and roles of the higher level bodies in the
hierarchy have all been specified in the Memorandum of Association of the Co-operative.
The primary MFP collector’s co-operative society (PCCS), forms part of the bottom tier. Any tendu (beedi) leaf
plucker who is an adult and a normal and permanent resident of the area can become member of the PCCS by paying
a membership fee of Rs.20. Such a co-operative society could spatially cover one village or more depending upon their
population and nearness to the forests. For the management of PCCS, a 15-member “Management Committee” which
includes a nominated forest department official who is also designated as the nodal officer, is to be formed. The
Management Committee in turn elects a President and Vice-President.
The District MFP Co-operative Union (DCU) is the mid-tier in the 3-tier structure. DCUs have a 16-member
committee, of which 10 are elected by the primary collectors and 6 are nominated members. The latter category includes
the Divisional Forest Officer as the ex-officio Managing Director of the DCU and the President of the District Cooperative
Bank as another ex-officio member. DCUs provide help and guidance to the PCCS in the collection and trade of NWFPs
and ensure that all the prescribed tasks are carried out properly.
The MP-MFP-CFL is the State level apex body of the cooperative structure. The Board of Directors has 18
members of whom 9 are elected and 3 (Principal Secretaries of Government Departments of Forest, Finance and Cooperatives) are State Government nominees. Six are ex-officio members, one of whom is a Forest Officer serving as
Managing Director of the Federation. The Co-operative has the primary role of formulating trade and development
related policies, and to provide overall direction and guidance.
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In the MP State, tendu patta (leaves of Diospyros melanoxylon), sal seeds, harra (fruits of Terminalia chebula) and
gums are nationalized produces, directly falling under the purview of the Co-operative, whereas the other NWFP’s being
non-nationalized can be collected and traded freely. The first NWFP, which was brought under the State monopoly, as
early as in 1964, was tendu leaves, solely because of the very high revenue potential for the State government.
Beedi (Diospyros melanoxylon) leaves, constitute an NWFP of considerable economic importance with an
estimated 350,000 t of leaves, worth about US$ 200 million, collected annually throughout the forests of India. Madhya
Pradesh is the largest beedi leaf producing State (41% of total production), followed by Orissa (17%), Maharashtra
(15%) and Andhra Pradesh (13%). India exported some 4,700 t of beedi leaves in 1991-1992.
Harvesting is conducted manually during the tendu season spanning a month and half to two months in the hot
summer of April-May. Generally, collection starts in the last week of April and ends before the pre-monsoon showers
(first week of June), even though the peak harvest season lasts for less than a month. The actual period of harvest may
vary between locality.
Leaves are generally plucked in the early morning at sunrise and continues for about 5-6 hours before the sun
gets too hot. The process essentially consists of four closely related steps: (i) walking to and from the tendu growing
areas, (ii) plucking of leaves, (iii) sorting and tying the leaves in small bundles of 50 leaves, popularly known as ‘pudas’,
and (iv) delivery of the bundles at the collection centres, or ‘phads’.
The collected beedi leaves are sold periodically in auction sales and the profit gets ploughed back for enhancing
the welfare and development (infrastructure, health, education, technology etc) of the community who are also the Cooperative members. In 1998, for example the Co-operative paid Rs. 1,818 million as collection wages and distributed
Rs. 1,270 million as net profit amongst various stakeholders engaged in collection and trade of the leaves.
Beedi leaves are purchased by contractors and manufacturers at an average rate of Rs.22.50 per kg (each
standard bag of leaves on an average weighs 40 kg, and average sale price is Rs.900 per bag). Each collector receives
Rs.11.25 per kg as wages, Rs.3.12 as incentive or bonus. The Federation and District Union also receive a token
commission of Rs. 1 per standard bag.
One kg of leaves are converted into 1,500 beedis valued at Rs.200 (US $ 4.50) paid by the end consumers. Rs.54
are spent as wages for rolling of 1,500 beedis, Rs. 23 on transport, distribution, storage, packaging and labour charge
and about Rs.20 for materials (tobacco, thread, paper), taxes, market promotion etc. The beedis are distributed to
district level dealers by the industrial units, through the state/regional level agents. District level dealers distribute beedis
to grocery shops and retail outlets. Finally, at the consumer level, a beedi costs Rs. 0.12 to 0.20 depending upon the
quality and brand. Average price spread in the trade channel is: collector’s share 7.2%; manufacturing and marketing
cost 46.5%; marketing margin for all actors in the chain (including the Co-operative) 46.3%.
Apart from beedi leaves, some of the societies are also involved in producing other nationalised NWFPs such as
sal (Shorea robusta) seeds, gums, harra (Terminalia chebula), and medicinal plants. In addition to the nationalized
NWFPs a number of important and valuable non-nationalised produces like aonla (Emblica officinalis), chironji
(Buchanania lanzan), mahua (Madhuca latifolia), chirota (Cassia tora), neem seed (Azadirachta indica), mahul
(Bauhinia vahlii), patta, honey, tamarind (Tamrindus indica) etc. are also found in the forests of MP. Non-beedi produce
however, account for only 10% of total NWFP production.
The establishment of the Co-operative has helped greatly to enhance the welfare of the community involved, in
terms of added employment and income, insurance coverage, social amenities and so on. The highlights of the case,
for considering it a success story, include the following: Organisation of primary producers of NWFPs within a strong
federated co-operative structure; Rationalisation of NWFP marketing to ensure remunerative prices; Equitable
distribution of benefits to the members of the primary co-operatives; Sustainable management of NWFP production;
Extension and technology support within the co-operative system; Wide spread participation of rural families and
community empowerment.
RESUME
Dans l’Etat de Madhya Pradesh, la Minor Forest Products (Trade and Development) Co-operative Ltd (MP-MFP-CFl ou
simplement la Coopérative) est un organisme autonome créé en 1984. C’est l’autorité chargée de réglementer la gestion, les
ressources en produits forestiers non ligneux (PFNL), ainsi que leurs récolte, commerce et mise en valeur dans l’Etat de
Madhya Pradesh, un des 35 Etats et territoires de l’Union indienne. Sa juridiction couvre en grande partie les forêts tropicales
décidues du centre de l’Inde.
Le but primordial de la Coopérative est de protéger les récolteurs de produits forestiers secondaires (PFS) de l’emprise
d’intermédiaires; de garantir des salaires et des bénéfices équitables aux récolteurs; de rationaliser la commercialisation des
produits; de permettre à la communauté de gérer ses propres affaires par des arrangements institutionnels appropriés; et de
garantir la gestion et la protection durables des ressources.
La Coopérative a été créée à la suite des amendements constitutionnels 73 et 74 qui prévoyaient le transfert de la
propriété des PFNL aux Gram Sabhas/Panchayats (conseil d’administration élu au niveau des villages) dans les Etats ayant
une forte composante de population tribale.
Selon une structure pyramidale, la Coopérative est composée de 1.947 entreprises primaires (comptant au total 5 millions
de récolteurs de PFS) dont font partie toutes les familles récoltant des PFNL, constituées en 58 unions coopératives PFS
locales chapeautées par un organisme national. Le domaine de compétence de la Coopérative s’étend sur environ 8,6 millions
d’ha de forêt; et la Fédération, à divers niveaux de sa structure, emploie environ 50.000 personnes. Les droits et privilèges des
membres des entreprises primaires, leurs responsabilités en termes de gestion des ressources et de livraison des produits aux
centres de ramassage, le paiement des salaires et le partage équitable des bénéfices, les fonctions et les rôles aux niveaux
supérieurs de la hiérarchie, ont tous été définis dans le mémorandum d’association de la Coopérative.
L’échelon primaire de société coopérative des récolteurs de PFS (PCCS) se trouve à la base de la pyramide. Tout
cueilleur de feuilles de tendu (beedi), adulte et résident normal et permanent dans la zone, peut devenir membre du PCCS en
payant une cotisation d’inscription de Rs.20. Une telle société coopérative peut couvrir un ou plusieurs villages en fonction de
leur population et de la proximité des forêts. Pour gérer les PCCS, un “comité de gestion” doit être formé. Il compte 15 membres,
dont un fonctionnaire nommé par le Département des forêts et désigné également point de contact. Le comité de gestion élit
à son tour un président et un vice-président.
L’union coopérative PFS locale (DCU) se trouve au rang intermédiaire de la structure en 3 échelons. Les DCU ont un
comité de 16 membres, dont 10 sont élus par les récolteurs primaires et 6 sont nommés. Cette dernière catégorie inclut le
responsable de la Division forestière en tant que directeur général ès qualité de la DCU et le président de la banque coopérative
locale également en tant que membre ès qualité. Les DCU fournissent à la PCCS une aide et des conseils en matière de récolte
et de commerce des PFNL et s’assurent que toutes les tâches prescrites sont effectuées correctement.
La MP-PFS-CFL est l’organe suprême de la structure coopérative au niveau de l’Etat. Le conseil d’administration est
composé de 18 membres dont 9 sont élus et 3 sont nommés par le gouvernement de l’Etat. Six d’entre eux sont des membres
ès qualité, dont un forestier qui est directeur administratif de la Fédération. La fonction primordiale de la Coopérative consiste
à formuler les politiques en matière de commerce et de développement, et à formuler des orientations et des directives
générales.
Dans l’Etat de MP, les tendu patta (feuilles de Diospyros melanoxylon), les graines de sal, les harra (fruits de Terminalia
chebula) et les gommes sont des produits nationalisés qui relèvent directement des compétences de la Coopérative, tandis
que les autres PFNL qui ne sont pas nationalisés peuvent être récoltés et commercialisés librement. Le premier PFNL introduit
sous le monopole de l’Etat, dès 1964, a été la feuille de tendu, uniquement parce qu’elle représentait un potentiel très élevé
de recettes pour le gouvernement de l’Etat.
La feuille de Beedi (Diospyros melanoxylon) est un PFNL d’importance économique considérable, sa récolte annuelle
dans toutes les forêts de l’Inde étant estimée à 350.000 t environ, soit une valeur d’environ 200 millions de dollars E.-U.. L’Etat
de Madhya Pradesh est le plus grand producteur de feuilles de beedi (41% de la production totale), suivi des Etats d’Orissa
(17%), de Maharashtra (15%) et d’Andhra Pradesh (13%). L’Inde a exporté environ 4.700 t de feuilles de beedi en 1991-1992.
La récolte se fait manuellement pendant la saison tendu qui dure un mois et demi à deux mois pendant l’été chaud d’avril
et mai. En général, la récolte commence pendant la dernière semaine d’avril et se termine avant les averses préalables à la
mousson (première semaine de juin), quoique la saison de pointe pour la récolte dure moins d’un mois. La durée réelle de la
récolte peut varier selon la localité.
Les feuilles sont généralement cueillies tôt le matin au lever du soleil et pendant 5-6 heures environ avant que le soleil ne
devienne trop chaud. Le processus se décompose essentiellement en quatre stades étroitement liés: i) aller et retour aux
endroits où poussent les arbres tendu, ii) cueillette des feuilles, iii) triage des feuilles et confection de petits paquets de 50
feuilles, connus sous le nom de ‘pudas’, et iv) livraison des paquets aux centres de ramassage, ou ‘phads’.
Les feuilles de beedi ramassées sont vendues aux enchères périodiquement et le bénéfice réalisé est réinvesti en vue
d’accroître le bien-être et le développement (infrastructure, santé, éducation, technologie etc..) de la communauté, laquelle
comprend également les membres de la Coopérative. En 1998, par exemple, la Coopérative a payé Rs. 1.818 millions en
salaires de récolte et a distribué Rs. 1.270 millions de bénéfice net parmi les diverses parties prenantes ayant participé à la
récolte et au commerce des feuilles.
Les feuilles de beedi sont achetées par des entrepreneurs et des fabricants au prix moyen de Rs.22,50 le kg (chaque sac
standard de feuilles pèse en moyenne 40 kg et le prix de vente moyen est de Rs.900 le sac). Chaque récolteur reçoit un salaire
de Rs.11,25 par kg et Rs.3,12 à titre d’incitation ou de bonus. La Fédération et l’union locale reçoivent également une
commission symbolique de Rs. 1 par sac standard (1 sac standard contient 1000 paquets de 50 feuilles chacun).
Un kg de feuilles est converti en 1.500 beedis évalués à Rs.200 (US$ 4,50) payés par le consommateur. Rs.54 sont
dépensés en tant que salaires pour rouler 1.500 beedis, Rs. 23 pour les frais de transport, distribution, stockage, emballage et
main d’oeuvre, et environ Rs.20 pour d’autres éléments (tabac, fil, papier), les impôts, la promotion commerciale, etc.. Les
beedis sont distribués aux négociants locaux par les unités industrielles, par l’intermédiaire d’agents de niveau
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étatique/régional. Les négociants locaux distribuent les beedis aux épiceries et aux magasins de détail. Enfin, au niveau du
consommateur, un beedi coûte Rs. 0,12 à 0,20 selon la qualité et la marque. La répartition du prix moyen dans la filière
commerciale est la suivante: part du récolteur 7,2%; frais de fabrication et de commercialisation 46,5%; marge de
commercialisation pour tous les acteurs de la filière (y compris la Coopérative) 46,3%.
En dehors des feuilles de beedi, certaines entreprises participantes produisent également d’autres PFNL nationalisés tels
que graines de sal (Shorea robusta), gommes, harra (Terminalia chebula) et plantes médicinales. On trouve également dans
les forêts du MP un certain nombre d’importants produits de valeur non nationalisés comme aonla (Emblica officinalis), chironji
(Buchanania lanzan), mahua (Madhuca atifolia), chirota (Cassia tora), graines de neem (Azadirachta indica), feuilles de mahul
(Bauhinia vahlii), miel, tamarin (Tamrindus indica) etc. Cependant, les produits autres que les beedis ne représentent que 10%
de production totale de PFNL.
La création de la Coopérative a grandement contribué à rehausser le bien-être des communautés participantes, en
termes d’emplois et de revenus supplémentaires, d’assurance, de services sociaux etc.. Les principales réalisations dans ce
cas, qui permettent de le considérer comme une réussite, incluent ce qui suit: organisation des producteurs primaires de PFNL
au sein d’une forte structure coopérative fédérée; rationalisation de la commercialisation des PFNL en vue de garantir des prix
rémunérateurs; distribution équitable des bénéfices entre les membres des coopératives primaires; gestion durable de la
production des PFNL; soutien par la vulgarisation et la technologie au sein d’un système coopératif; large participation des
familles rurales et responsabilisation de la communauté.
RESUMEN
La Madhya Pradesh Minor Forest Produce (Trade and Development) Co-operative Federation Ltd. (MP-MFP-CFL, o
simplemente la “Cooperativa”), es una entidad autónoma establecida en 1984. La Cooperativa es la autoridad reguladora a
cargo de la ordenación, extracción, comercio y desarrollo de productos forestales no maderables (PFNM) en el estado de
Madhya Pradesh, uno de los 35 estados y territorios de la Unión de la India. Su jurisdicción cubre la mayor parte de los bosques
tropicales caducifolios de la región central de la India.
El propósito principal de la Cooperativa es salvar a los recolectores de productos forestales menores (PFM) de las garras
de los intermediarios; asegurar salarios y beneficios justos para los recolectores; racionalizar la comercialización de productos;
facultar a la comunidad para permitirle manejar sus propios asuntos mediante acuerdos institucionales adecuados; y garantizar
la protección y el manejo sostenible de los recursos.
El establecimiento de la Cooperativa fue impulsado por las Enmiendas Constitucionales 73 y 74, que estipulaban la
transferencia de la propiedad de los PFNM al Gram Sabhas /Panchayats (consejo directivo elegido por la comunidad) en todos
aquellos estados con una importante población tribal.
Con una estructura piramidal, la Cooperativa comprende 1.947 sociedades primarias (con un total de 5 millones de
miembros recolectores de PFM), de las que forman parte todas las familias recolectoras de PFNM, agrupadas en 58 Uniones
Cooperativas de Distrito y un organismo central nacional. Los bosques controlados por la Cooperativa tienen una extensión
de alrededor de 8,6 millones de hectáreas; y la Federación emplea a aproximadamente 50.000 personas en diferentes niveles
de su estructura. Los estatutos de constitución de la Cooperativa definen los derechos y privilegios de los miembros de las
sociedades primarias, sus responsabilidades en relación con el manejo de recursos y la entrega de productos en los centros
colectores, el pago de salarios y la distribución equitativa de beneficios, y las funciones y mandatos de los órganos de más alto
nivel en la jerarquía de la institución.
La sociedad cooperativa primaria de extractores de PFM (PCCS) se encuentra en el nivel más bajo de la pirámide. Todos
los recolectores de hojas de tendu (beedi) que sean adultos y residentes permanentes de la zona pueden asociarse a la PCCS
pagando una cuota de inscripción de Rs. 20. Este tipo de sociedad cooperativa puede cubrir una o más comunidades
dependiendo de su población y su proximidad a los bosques. Para el manejo de la PCCS, se debe formar un “Comité de
Gestión” de 15 miembros, que incluye un funcionario nombrado por el departamento forestal y designado también como punto
de contacto. El Comité de Gestión a su vez elige a su Presidente y Vicepresidente.
Las Uniones Cooperativas de Distrito (District Cooperative Unions - DCU) se encuentran en la escala intermedia de la
estructura de tres niveles. Las DCU tienen un comité de 16 miembros, 10 de los cuales son elegidos por los recolectores
primarios y 6 son nombrados. Esta última categoría incluye un funcionario de la división forestal que se desempeña como el
director general ex-oficio de la DCU y el presidente del Banco Cooperativo de Distrito, también como miembro ex-oficio. Las
DCU ofrecen ayuda y asesoramiento a la PCCS en la recolección y el comercio de PFNMs y se aseguran de que todas las
tareas estipuladas se lleven a cabo adecuadamente.
La MP-MFP-CFL es el órgano superior de la estructura cooperativa en el estado. Su directorio comprende 18 miembros,
9 de los cuales son elegidos y 3 son nombrados por el gobierno estatal. Seis integrantes del directorio son miembros ex-oficio,
uno de ellos es un funcionario forestal que se desempeña como director general de la Federación. La Cooperativa tiene la
función primordial de formular políticas de comercio y desarrollo y ofrecer una orientación y directrices generales.
En el estado de Madhya Pradesh (MP), las tendu patta (hojas de Diospyros melanoxylon), las semillas de Sal, los harra
(frutos de Terminalia chebula) y las gomas son productos “nacionalizados” que caen directamente bajo el control de la
Cooperativa, mientras que otros PFNM que no han sido “nacionalizados” pueden extraerse y comercializarse libremente. Los
primeros PFNM introducidos bajo el monopolio del Estado a partir de 1964 fueron las hojas de tendu, simplemente por su
altísimo potencial para generar ingresos para el gobierno estatal.
Las hojas de beedi (Diospyros melanoxylon) constituyen un PFNM de importancia económica considerable, estimándose
una extracción anual de 350.000 toneladas de hojas de los bosques de la India con un valor de alrededor de US$200 millones.
Madhya Pradesh es el principal estado productor de hojas de beedi (41% de la producción total), seguido por Orissa (17%),
Maharashtra (15%) y Andhra Pradesh (13%). En 1991-1992, la India exportó alrededor de 4.700 toneladas de hojas de beedi.
La extracción se realiza manualmente durante la estación de tendu, que se extiende de un mes y medio a dos meses
en el caluroso verano de abril-mayo. En general, la recolección comienza en la última semana de abril y finaliza antes de las
lluvias pre-monzónicas (primera semana de junio), a pesar de que la estación de máxima cosecha dura menos de un mes. El
período de cosecha efectiva puede variar según la localidad.
En general las hojas se recogen temprano en la mañana con la salida del sol y durante unas 5-6 horas hasta que el calor
del sol se torna demasiado fuerte. El proceso consiste básicamente en cuatro pasos estrechamente vinculados: (i) caminata
de ida y vuelta a las zonas productoras de tendu; (ii) recolección de hojas; (iii) clasificación y atado de hojas en pequeños fardos
de 50, comúnmente denominados “pudas”; y (iv) entrega de fardos de hojas en los centros colectores o “phads”.
Las hojas de beedi recolectadas se venden periódicamente en subastas y las ganancias se reinvierten para mejorar el
bienestar y desarrollo (infraestructura, salud, educación, tecnología, etc.) de las comunidades, que también son miembros de
la Cooperativa. En 1998, por ejemplo, la Cooperativa pagó Rs.1.818 millones en salarios para recolectores y distribuyó
Rs.1.270 millones de ganancias netas entre las diversas partes dedicadas a la recolección y el comercio de hojas.
Las hojas de beedi son compradas por contratistas y fabricantes a un precio promedio de Rs.22,50 por kilogramo (cada
bolsa estándar de hojas pesa un promedio de 40 kg y el precio de venta promedio es de Rs.900 por bolsa). Cada recolector
recibe Rs. 11,25 por kg en salario y Rs. 3,12 como incentivo o bonificación. La Federación y la Unión de Distrito reciben también
una comisión simbólica de Rs.1 por cada bolsa estándar (1 bolsa estándar contiene 1000 fardos de 50 hojas cada uno).
Un kilogramo de hojas se convierte en 1.500 beedis cuyo valor, pagado por el consumidor final, es de Rs.200 (US$4,50).
Un total de Rs.54 se paga en salarios para el enrollado de 1.500 beedis, Rs.23 en gastos de transporte, distribución,
almacenamiento, empaquetado y mano de obra, y alrededor de Rs.20 para materiales (tabaco, hilo, papel), impuestos,
promoción en el mercado, etc. Las unidades industriales, a través de los agentes estatales/regionales, distribuyen los beedis
a los comerciantes de distrito, quienes a su vez los distribuyen a los negocios y comercios minoristas. Finalmente, cada beedi
le cuesta al consumidor entre Rs.0,12 y Rs.0,20 según la calidad y marca. La distribución del precio promedio por toda la
cadena comercial es la siguiente: recolectores – 7,2%; costo de fabricación y comercialización – 46,5%; margen comercial para
todos los actores de la cadena (inclusive la Cooperativa – 46,3%.
Además de las hojas de beedi, algunas de las sociedades se dedican también a la producción de otros PFNM
nacionalizados como las semillas de Sal (Shorea robusta), gomas, harra (Terminalia chebula) y plantas medicinales. En los
bosques de MP también se encuentran varios productos no nacionalizados importantes y valiosos como la aonla (Emblica
officinalis), chironji (Buchanania lanzan), mahua (Madhuca latifolia), chirota (Cassia tora), semillas de neem (Azadirachta
indica), hojas de mahul (Bauhinia vahlii), miel, tamarindo (Tamrindus indica), etc. Sin embargo, los productos no relacionados
con la fabricación de beedis sólo representan el 10% de la producción total de PFNMs.
El establecimiento de la Cooperativa ha ayudado enormemente a mejorar el bienestar de la comunidad a través de
mayores niveles de empleo e ingresos, cobertura de seguros, servicios sociales, etc. Las principales características de este
caso, que permiten considerarlo una experiencia exitosa, incluyen las siguientes: organización de productores primarios de
PFNMs en una sólida estructura cooperativa federada; racionalización de la comercialización de PFNMs para asegurar precios
remuneradores; distribución equitativa de beneficios a los miembros de las cooperativas primarias; gestión sostenible de la
producción de PFNMs; extensión y apoyo tecnológico dentro del sistema cooperativo; amplia participación de las familias
rurales, y potenciación comunitaria.
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Madhya Pradesh State Minor Forest Produce (Trading and Development) Co-operative Federation
Limited (MP-MFP-CFL) is an apex organisation, having a number of District MFP Co-operative Unions at
the intermediate level and many Primary MFP Co-operative Societies at the grass roots level.
The designation of “minor forest produces” applies to NWFPs, following the colonial classification of
forest products into major (wood) and minor (non-wood) products. Accordingly, MP-MFP-CFL is concerned
with the sustainable development of NWFPs (mainly leaves of Diospyros melanoxylon, locally known as
tendu patta), for long-lasting benefits to the local community.
NWFPs in India play an important role in the social and traditional life of millions of forest dependent
population, particularly the tribal and land-less people, women and other rural poor. Today, it contributes
over 75% of total forest export revenue in India. Nearly 400 million people living in and around forests in
India depend on NWFPs for sustenance and supplemental income. NWFPs contribute significantly to the
income of about 30% of the rural people. More than 80 % of forest dwellers depend on NWFPs for basic
necessities. Collection of NWFPs comprises the main source of wage labour for 17 % of land-less
labourers, and 39 % more are involved in NWFP collection as a subsidiary occupation.
Traditionally, the collection of NWFPs has been a low intensity activity and generally sustainable.
However, as their economic potential has improved, the intensity of collection has increased and more
significant infrastructure for trade and processing has developed. For example, a large number of
pharmaceutical enterprises have come up to meet the market demand for medicines. They pose a threat to
large number of medicinal plants through demand-based over-exploitation. This has raised the concern
about the sustainability of NWFP resource and the equitable distribution of the benefits derived from them.
As a reaction to this concern, a number of state governments have taken over the control of a number of
NWFPs.
The explicit objectives of nationalization (state monopoly) of NWFP trade are to prevent unscrupulous
intermediaries and their agents from exploiting NWFP collectors; to ensure fair wages to collectors; to
enhance revenue for the State; to ensure product quality; and to maximize the sustainable collection of the
produces (Prasad et al., 1996). In most cases, trading of these nationalized NWFPs is controlled through
autonomous state supported institutions such as State Forest Development Corporations and federations
of cooperatives and tribal societies.
In the Madhya Pradesh State, tendu patta (leaves of Diospyros melanoxylon), sal seeds, harra (fruits
of Terminalia chebula) and gums are nationalized forest produces (directly falling under the purview of MPMFP-CFL), where as the other NWFP’s being non-nationalized can be collected and traded freely. The first
NWFP, which was brought under the State monopoly, was tendu leaves solely because of the very high
revenue potential for the State government, in 1964. MP-MFP-CFL is the responsible and regulatory
authority for trading and development of NWFPs in Madhya Pradesh.
2.0 SPATIAL SCOPE OF THE CASE
Mandate of MP-MFP-CFL extends over the entire state of Madhya Pradesh, one of the 35 States and Union
Territories of India.
MP-MFP-CFL was established in the year 1984. Since then, in the year 2000, the eastern districts
(Chhatisgarh portion) of the State were separated into the State of Chhatisgarh. However, for purposes of
this study the entire (erstwhile) State of MP is included in the spatial coverage, since separate statistical
details for the two new states are not yet forthcoming.
The erstwhile Madhya Pradesh, located somewhat in the geographic centre of the country, was the
largest state of India, with an area of 44.3 million ha. It also happens to be one of the poorest, the large part
of population, dependent on forests for their sustained livelihood.
3.0 ECONOMIC INDICATORS
However, there have been improvements in the recent past. National Human Development Index of MP has
improved by over 20%, rising from 0.328 in 1996 to 0.394 in 2001. The number of people living below
poverty line has been declining. In 1993 some 42.52% persons were living below poverty line, which in
1999-2000 declined to 37.43%. Between 1993-1994 and 1999-2000, MP posted 1.8%, annual growth in
employment as against national average of 1.6%. Similar improvements have been registered in literacy
level and health indicators (GoI / MoEF, 2002).
4.0 LOCALITY FACTORS
The State extends between 180 to 260 5’ North latitude and 740 to 84o.55’ East longitude. The State can
be divided into five physical broad regions namely, The Gird Region, The Malwa Plateau, The Satpura
Ridge, The Narmada Valley and The Chhatisgarh plains. The Vindhyan range lying north-east south-west
almost runs in the middle of the State. The important rivers towards north of this range are the Chambal,
the Betwa and the Sone and towards south the Narmada, the Mahanadi and the Indravati.
Alluvium, Deccan trap, Vindhyan series and Gondwana systems are the major geological formations.
A variety of soils ranging from rich black cotton soil to stony skeletal soils are met with. However, the major
soil groups found in the State are alluvial (undifferentiated) deep black or regur soil, medium black soil,
shallow black soil, mixed red and black soil, red and yellow soil and skeletal soil. Moist to dry tropical
weather prevails through most of the State. The rainfall decreases from south-east and east to north-west
and west. The average annual rainfall varies from 800 mm to 1,800 mm and the average annual
temperature ranges between 22.5ºC to 25ºC. Maximum temperatures are recorded during April-May. June
to October is the monsoon period. The maximum temperatures are during December-January.
The state supports 7.8% of the country’s population. Of the total population, 76.82% is rural and
23.18% is urban. Population density is about 170 persons per sq.km. Scheduled Tribes constitute 23.27%
of the total population. Total livestock population is over 50 million; a large part of this is dependent on
forests for grazing.
5.0 FOREST RESOURCES
The recorded forest area of the State is 15.45 million ha which constitutes 34.84% of the geographic area.
By legal status, Reserved Forest constitutes 54%, Protected Forest 43% and Unclassed Forest 3%. The
actual forest cover of the State, based on satellite data of October-December 1996 was 13.8 million ha,
representing 29.78% of the geographic area. Dense forest accounts for 8.16 million ha and open forest 5.02
million ha. The forests broadly fall under three types viz., (i) Tropical Moist Deciduous forests, (ii) Tropical
Dry Deciduous forests and (iii) Tropical Thorn forests (Champion & Seth, 1968). The first two types have
Teak (Tectona grandis), Sal (Shorea robusta) and their associates in different layers. Thorn forests, on the
other hand have many species of Acacias, Neem (Azadirachta indica) with associated xeric plants.
are largely distributed in central, southern and eastern parts of the State. Northern and western parts
of the State are deficient in forest vegetation. Teak and Sal are the two most important forest formations of
the state covering 18.0% and 16.7% forest area, respectively, while miscellaneous or mixed forests cover
65.3%.
Of the total area of forests some 11.3 million ha are under some form of commercial working (of which
about 10 million ha fall under tribal sub-plan). About 1.7 million ha are under protected area net work. Forest
plantations of all categories (commercial, rural fuel wood, fast growing, rehabilitation, soil conservation,
social forestry etc), undertaken by different agencies total about 3.4 million ha of which plantations raised
by the State Forest Department alone account for 1.3 million ha.
6.0 FORESTS IN VILLAGES
There are 71, 526 villages in the state, of which 29, 294 located within or close to the forests have forest as
a form of land use. In these villages about 6.72 million ha is classified as forest. Population of these villages
is 19.95 million, of whom 15.2 million are tribal people. The villages having less than 100 ha, between 100500 ha and more than 500 ha of forest area in each village constitute 54%, 35% and 11% of the total villages
respectively.
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7.0 STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF FORESTRY IN MADHYA PRADESH
Within the principles and provisions of National Forest Policy 1988, the government of Madhya Pradesh has
adopted a new strategy of informed participation of people, replacing the traditional approach of “fences and
fines”(Kumar et al., 2000, Khare et al., 2000.) This new strategy focuses on creating a market-oriented
environment and an appropriate legislative and administrative framework for increasing participatory
management of forest resources in which communities are treated as partners in the management of these
resources. This strategy is built on the concept of forest zoning which is based on an understanding of the
expected landuse and a realistic assessment of what is technically feasible in the light of site-specific
capability of land and incentive structure. The roles of FPCs and VFCs are central to the system. From a
policy perspective, MP has made considerable efforts to institutionalize SFM in the State through its JFM
Resolution.
The MP State Government issued JFM Resolution in 1991 to involve the local communities in the
management and development of forest resources of the State.
8.0
JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT
The forest areas, which can be taken up under the JFM programme, include degraded forests as well as
well stocked forests. Under the ambit of JFM, three sets of committees are established:
i. Village Forest Committees (VFCs) in the forest areas having a canopy density of upto 0.4, i.e.
the forest area which has been degraded through biotic interference like population pressure,
grazing, fire etc. For the restoration of these areas participation of every member of the village
is sought including women members from each family.
ii. Forest Protection Committees (FPCs) in the areas having well stocked closed forest i.e. having
a canopy density of more than 0.4. Villagers and forest staff jointly patrol areas to prevent theft,
grazing, encroachments, and fires.
iii. Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) involving adjoining population in the management of
Protected Areas (PAs).
Villages within 5-km periphery of the forests would be selected for formation of VFCs and FPCs. Other
salient features of the strategy are:
• Creation of JFM Spearhead Teams at Forest Division level.
• Decentralised, site-specific planning (micro-planning) based on participatory assessment of
resources needs as perceived by villagers, normally for a period of 10 years
• Emphasis on village resource development
• In case of VFCs, 70% of the net benefits shall go to the Government, 15% to the Committee
Fund and10% to the individual members. The remaining 5% shall be ploughed back in the area
for its development; in case of FPCs, these percentages are 90%, 5%, 3% and 2%,
respectively, in addition to royalty-free “Nistar”.
• EDC-development of village resource to minimize their dependence on PAs.
A total of 12,038 committees have been formed in Madhya Pradesh – 5,746 are FPCs, 6,011 are VFCs
and 281 EDCs. These committees are protecting an area of around 5.9 million ha, which is over 40% of the
total area of M.P, and accounts for 56.6% of the total forest area under JFM in India, at present.
9.0 PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES
The forests of MP account for about 21% of India’s forests; and it is the largest producer (accounting for
about 33%) of wood in the country. The state also accounts for a larger percentage of NWFP production.
There are many important Minor Forest Produces (MFP) which are found in abundance in the forests.
Important ones are ‘tendu’ leaves (Diospyros melanoxylon), sal seed (Shorea robusta), harra (Terminalia
chebula), mahua (Madhuca latifolia), chironjee (Buchanania lanzan), Mahul (Bauhinia vahlii), Aonla
(Emblica officinalis), baheda (Terminalia belleries), chirota seed, honey, mahua flower, mahua gulli, mahul
patta, safed musli (Chlorophytum tuberosum), nagarmotha roots (Cyperus rotundus), Satawar (Asparagus
sp), Imli (Tamarindus inducus), several gums, resins, seeds, flowers, fruits, fiber etc.
A large number of forest fringe populations depend on NWFPs for their livelihood. Collection of NWFPs
is one of the major activities of the tribal people in the state. Nearly 25% of the total population of the State,
mainly tribal and weaker sections of the society subsists on NWFPs. An estimated 67% of the tribal income
is earned from collection of such produces.
10.0 NEGLECT OF NWFPS
The history of NWFPs has been one of neglect, in the past, except for few exceptions. Because of the
neglect suffered by the NWFPs (being a heterogeneous group of complex agronomic and silvicultural
requirements, on which scientific studies and information were lacking), there was hardly any
comprehensive and clear policy on them. In most cases “Right to Collect NWFPs” was sold in auction for a
period of 3 to 5 years on a lumpsum basis, often, without even specifying the produce-wise quantities.
Collection of NWFPs was treated as an “overlapping working Circle” being of low significance. The NWFP
contractor/lessee normally engaged agents for collecting the produces, who paid as little as possible to the
collectors (mainly tribals), on the basis of quantity of the produce. No scientific inputs (such as inventory,
yield assessment and control, harvesting regulations, rehabilitation, investigation of properties and uses and
a host of others) have gone into its management.
11.0 NATIONALISATION OF TENDU LEAVES COLLECTION
The trade of tendu leaves (Diospyros melanoxylon) used for rolling local cigarettes known as ‘beedis’ in
Madhya Pradesh, had conventionally been in the hands of individual traders, who used to purchase rights
to collect leaves from State forest lands through annual or periodical auctions. The tendu leaves were sold
inplucked (growing on trees) to contractors, who under-reported the collections. The lessee or his agent
determined wages paid to the collectors from the forest. This practice resulted in unaccounted removals,
loss of revenue to the Government, and low wages, unfair treatment and exploitation of labourers.
Cognizant of the grave situation, the Central Board of Forestry in 1952, recommended legislative
measures to control the trade of tendu leaves (and other important NWFPs). In the following years, many
States decided to pass laws to nationalize (establish State monopoly for) the collection and marketing of
some important items of NWFPs, to maximize government revenue, to ensure steady income to the
collectors and to free the market out of the clutches of private operators. The first NWFP to be so
nationalized was tendu leaves.
Legislation has since been passed by different states to curb malpractice in the tendu leaf trade.
A few common features of these Acts have been: (i) registration of individual tendu growers, tendu traders,
and beedi manufacturers; (ii) restriction on individual tendu growers to sell their produce only to authorised
agents of State governments; (iii) entrusting the right to collect leaves from forests and other public lands
to agents appointed by the State government; (iv) selection of bulk purchasers of leaves through open
auctions or tenders for each forest unit; (v) fixing wage rates for leaf pluckers every year by advisory
committees consisting of the representatives of purchasers, growers, and the State government; and (vi)
regulation of the movement of leaves within and outside the State through transport permits issued by the
Forest Department.
In most cases, following nationalization, collection and trade of tendu leaves was undertaken by Statesupported/controlled agencies like Forest Development Corporations and co-operative institutions.
12.0 MADHYA PRADESH INITIATIVES
For purposes of this Act, the State was divided into 972 units in 1965. However, these units were further
divided and reorganized into 1,826 units in 1986. These units were formed according to their production
capacity calculated in terms of standard bags.
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Collection agents were appointed for each unit, responsible for getting the leaves plucked and
delivered to the buyer. But the agents and buyers were from the same business interests and they
misrepresented the collection and sale figures to cheat the government of royalty. Loss of government
revenue and collector’s wages continued unabated.
This changed in 1980, when the state government started lumpsum tender system for selling Tendu
leaves. Government revenue increased, but the collector’s (large proportion of whom were tribals) were still
underpaid (Joshi, 2003).
13.0 MP-MFP (TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT) CO-OPERATIVE FEDERATION LTD.
In 1984, the government of Madhya Pradesh established the Madhya Pradesh Minor Forest Produces
(Trade and Development) Co-operative Federation Limited. It established a 3-tier market regulating
institution, and adopted a co-operative structure for tendu leaf trade with the expectation of ending
exploitation of tribal and other poor sections of society (and to encourage the people to take over the trade).
In addition to tendu leaves, which was already nationalized, some other items i.e. sal (Shorea robusta)
seed, harra (Terminnlia chebula) and gums (of Sterculia urens, Boswellia serrata Acacia spp) were added
to the list. These also came under the purview of MP-MFP-CFL. Other items of NWFPs, being nonnationalized, can be collected and traded freely. However, MP-MFP-CFL is taking certain market
intervention measures, such as ensuring sustainable harvest and facilitating marketing through Primary
Societies/District Unions.
With the reformed and people-oriented approach, the MP-MFP-CFL has become a cash rich
organization (Table 1).
Table 1. Revenue From Nationalized NWFPs (Million Rupees)
Product
Tendu
Sal seeds
Harra
Classified resins
Total
Madhya Pradesh
Chhatisgarh
2,239.5
4.5
9.8
39.2
2,293.0
1,166.60
1.60
0.20
0.03
1,168.43
Source: MFP Federations of Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh, from Joshi(2003)
The years following the establishment of MP-MFP-CFL saw the income of tribals/ collectors’ rise,
conspicuously.
Government of MP has bought out a numbers of reforms in trade and collection of NWFPs. Revising
wage rates, introduction of bonus and insurance schemes, regulating harvesting time etc. are some of the
important policy reforms brought out to help the poor collectors. Training on processing and trade of NWFPs
and exposure to competitive markets under the “Task Force for Conservation and Development of Medicinal
Plants 1995’ are other efforts to promote the welfare of forest dependent population in Madhya Pradesh. In
protecting the interest of the collectors, Madhya Pradesh Government has increased wage rate from Rs.15
per SB in 1970 to Rs. 400 per SB in 1999.
As a result of the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India, Gram Panchayats/Sabhas (Village
Assemblies) (GoI/MoEF, 1998) have been given ownership rights on NWFPs. On the strength of this
Amendment in 1998, an executive order was passed in MP to implement the provisions of Panchayats
(Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996 (PESA). Under this, the net profit of the tendu trade was to be
returned as bonus to the collectors, the ‘owners’ of MFP under PESA. Now, 50% of the net profit goes
directly to the gatherers, 30% to the primary cooperative societies (to be distributed in proportion to the
leaves collected), and the remaining 20% is used for the purpose of regenerating forests.
The nationalization of tendu in MP was indeed a success in that it improved the economic lot of the
primary gatherers. Orissa, by contrast, does not pass on the profits from the tendu trade to the gatheres.
But even in MP, neither the cooperative structure nor the provisions of PESA were implemented truly; and
there is scope for considerable improvement. (Joshi, 2003)
13.1 Structure of The Federation
Madhya Pradesh State Minor Forest Produce (Trade and Development) Cooperative Federation Ltd, an
apex organization is a three tier structure (Figure 1). It came into existence in 1984. It is envisioned as a
producer’s co-operative.
At the primary level, there were 1,947 Primary MFP Collector’s Co-operative Societies with a
membership of approximately 5 million MFP gatherers. At the secondary level, there are 58 District MFP
Cooperative Unions. MP-MFP-CFL is responsible for the management, development and trading of NWFPs
in the State. The extent of forests falling under the purview of MP-MFP-CFL is responsible for management,
development and trading of minor forest produces/ non timber forest produce in the state. The extent of
forests falling under the purview of MP-MFP-CFL is about 8.6 million ha; and the Federation, at various
levels in its structure, employs about 50,000 people.
13.1.1 Objectives
The main objectives of the federation are: (i) non-destructive harvest of NWFP (ii) better remuneration
(wages and other benefits) to local communities from their NWFP collection, and (iii) elimination of
middlemen in collection, storage and sale of NWFPs and empowering people to take over these functions.
13.1.2 The Primary MFP Collectors’ Co-operative Society
It is a village level society. Any tendu leaf plucker who is an adult and a normal and permanent resident of
the area can become the member of the Primary Collector’s Co-operative Society (PCCS) by paying a
membership fee of Rs.20 (rupees twenty only). Such a co-operative society could spatially cover one village
or more depending upon their population and their proximity to the forests.
Figure 1. Three Tier Structure of MP-MFP Co-Operative Federation Ltd.
For the management of PCCS, a 15-member “Management Committee” is to be formed. The
Management Committee in turn elects a President and Vice-President. Of the total membership of the
Management Committee, 11 are elected members, of which 2 are reserved for women. The remaining 4
members are nominated, of which 2 are from amongst the JFM Committee Presidents, one is nominated
by the Co-operative Registrar of the district and another being the Forest Department official who is also
designated as the Nodal Officer. The Important functions of the PCCS are the following:
• To carry out timely pruning and silvicultural operations.
• To get the bags stitched in time, on receipt of supply of hessein cloth from the District MFP Cooperative Union (DCU).
• To collect maximum possible quantity of good quality green tendu leaves during collection
season, at the collection rates fixed by the Government.
• To properly bag the green leaves, after proper drying and after writing the number of bundles,
name of the Phad (collection centre) and society on the bags.
• To transport the tendu green leaves to the godowns, at the expense of the Federations (in
respect of Societies, where there are godowns).
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(If the godowns are situated outside the area of the Societies, the tendu green leaves are to be
transported by the District Union, or under the direction of the Union, at the expense of the Federation).
To carry out similar operations in respect of sal seeds, harra or chebulic myrobolan (Terminalia chebula)
and gums.
To collect and trade in locally available non-nationalized MFP’s for the maximum benefit of their
members.
13.1.3 The District MFP Co-Operative Union
The District MFP Co-operative Union is the mid-tier in the 3-tier structure. DCUs have a 16 member
committee, of which 10 are elected by the primary collectors and 6 are nominated members. In the
nominated category, one member represents the financial institutions, 3 are nominated by the Registrar of
Co-operative Society. Divisional Forest Officer is the ex-officio Managing Director of the DCU. Similarly, the
president of the District Cooperative Bank is another ex-officio member of the DCU committee. The
important functions and responsibilities of the DCUs are the following:
• To implement the works linked to the tendu green leaves trade, as per the policies of the
Government.
• To respect the works of the PCCS and to ensure that all the prescribed tasks/activities are being
carried out by them properly.
• To ensure that pruning is carried out properly and that the hessian cloth provided by the
Federation reaches the headquarters of the PCCS either as bags or as cloth for stitching bags.
• To obtain the funds from the Federation fro tendu green leaves collection and other related
works and to distribute it to the Managers of collection centres or Phad-Munshis23 through
banks; to get the accounts from the PCCS and other persons engaged in collection works and
to submit the accounts to the Federation regularly.
• To transport the tendu green leaves collected to the godowns, either through the PCCS or by
their own arrangements.
• To ensure that the labourers are paid wages at the sanctioned rates.
• To carry out similar operations in respect of sal seed, harra or Chebulic myrobolan (Terminalia
chebula) and gums.
• To provide help and guidance to the PCCS in the collection and trade of non-nationalized
NWFPs.
13.1.4 The Apex Body
The MP-MFP-CFL is the State level apex body of the cooperative structure. The Director Board of MP-MFPCFL has 18 members of whom 9 are elected, one from each Revenue Division24. The State Government
nominates three members (Principal Secretaries of Government Departments of Forest, Finance and Cooperatives). Six members are ex-officio members – one nominee of the Government of India, one
representative of Tribal Development Department of MP State Government, Registrar of Co-operative
Societies, one Forest Officer as Managing Director of the Federation, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
(PCCF) of MP, and Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Production).
The mandate of the MP-MFP-CFL includes the following:
• To arrange for funds from various banking institutions and to make the necessary amount
available to the DCUs.
• To obtain accounts from the DCUs for the funds given to them.
• To centrally purchase hessian cloth/bags and make them available to the DCUs.
• To receive the tendu green leaves at the godowns and to market them to obtain maximum
benefits/profits. As and when the lower-tier institutions became self-reliant, the work of
marketing could be decentralized to the DCUs and/or PCCSs.
23
24
A person appointed to keep accounts and control collection at the ‘Collection Centres’
A group of Districts form a Revenue Division, and the State is constituted of 9 Revenue Divisions and 61 Districts
• To issue guidelines to the DCUs for fixing norms of expenditure for collection, handling,
godowning and purchase.
• To distribute the share of sale proceeds to the DCUs and PCCSs, out of the net receipts, after
standard deductions towards Government revenue.
• To draw guidelines and instructions at the State level for proper collection and marketing of all
NWFPs.
In 1998, for example MFP Federation paid Rs.1,818 million as collection wages of tendu leaves and
also distributed Rs.1,270 million as net profit amongst various stakeholders engaged in collection and trade
of tendu leaves.
13.2 Important Functions of MP-MFP-CFL
The main functions of different wings of the Federation covers the following:
13.2.1 Framing of Policy
The apex body, the MFP (Trade & Development) Federation has the primary role of formulating trade and
development related policies particularly in respect of nationalized produce such as tendu leaves (Diospyros
melanoxylon). For commercially less important and non-nationalized items of non-timber forest products, the
policy formulation is done by district unions and primary forest produce cooperative societies. The collection
targets, wage disbursements to gatherers and associated handling expenses to be permitted each year are
decided by the apex body. Subsequently, trade related decisions as to the fixation of minimum price at which
the collected produce is to be sold are also decided by the apex body.
13.2.2 Financial Management
Collection and handling of tendu leaves require huge sum of money. The apex body arranges credits from
commercial banks and disburses it to the district unions and primary collector’s minor forest produce cooperative societies (in short, primary societies). The loans so taken are returned to the banks from the sale
proceeds. The net profit is then transferred to the primary societies. For less important and non-nationalised
forest produce the primary societies make available money for collection and trade from their incomes from
nationalized items.
13.2.3 Technology Transfer
The necessary guidance by way of technology for collection, processing and storage is provided to the
primary societies by apex body, before the commencement of collection season; training workshops for the
benefit of forestry staff and key office bearers of the primary societies are also organized. The most
important task is the semi-processing (for e.g. curing of tendu leaves), and its bagging and godowning
requires special skill. The necessary steps are demonstrated every year. Any shortcoming in post-collection
stage may result into quality deterioration, which may have very adverse impacts on value of the produce.
13.2.4 Trade
As discussed in different sections of this report, the major work of the apex body is to streamline the
procedure and methodology for collection, storage and sale. Close monitoring of collection and storage
results into better prices and that means better remuneration to the gatherers. Among the nationalized
NWFPs, the leaves of Diosypros melanoxylon are most important. The total turnover of the federation is
about Rs.3.5 billion of which the collection and trade of tendu leaves alone is about Rs.3.25 billion. A high
level committee representing different government departments (forest, tribal development, finance
department and apex body, the MFP federation) works as inter-departmental committee. This committee
decides the permissible sale price of the nationalized produce and fixes the collection and sale price of other
forest produce.
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13.2.5 Scope and Product Coverage of MP-MFP-CFL
The MP-MFP-CFL system covers collection and trade of several NWFPs. These are tendu leaves, harra or
chebulic myrobolan (fruits of Terminalia chebula), sal seeds (seeds of Shorea robusta), gums/exeudates of
Kullu (Sterculia urens), Salai (Boswellia serrata), Dhaoda (Anogeissus latifolia), Khair (Acacia catechew),
Babul (Acacia nilotica). In addition it also covers promotion/facilitation of collection and sale of nonnationalized NWFPs including Aonla (fruits of Emblica officinalis), Chironji (Buchanania lanzan), Mahua
(Madhuca latifolia) and Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) etc.
Since collection and trade of tendu leaves represents over 80% of all activities of MP-MFP-CFL, this
case study will essentially focus on that activity; and only give a passing treatment to other activities.
13.3 Tendu Leaves Collection
Tendu leaves are obtained from small trees and widely growing bushes of Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb.
The Diospyros melanoxylon tree is locally known as ‘tendu’ and the leaves plucked from it, are known as
‘tendu-patta’, used as wrapper for making beedis (country cigarettes). Economically it is the most important
NWFP of India. About 550 billion pieces of beedis (rolled by some 10 million people mainly as a cottage
industry) are sold every year in India, according to the All India Beedi Industry Federation. Moreover,
gathering tendu is labour-intensive and employs millions of tribal people during the lean months of AprilMay, when they have very little else to earn a living. The tree largely occurs in tropical dry/moist deciduous
forests as an associate to principal tree species, Tectona grandis and Shorea robusta. The plant occurs
widely in the States of Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Maharastra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat. To
a lesser extent it also occurs in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. (Prasad and Bhatnagar, 1991). It also
occurs in bushy form on forest fringes, roadside clearings, fire lines, and on wastelands. Tendu leaves are
elliptical in shape, rounded at the base, and vary from 10 to 30 cm in length. The lower side of the leaves
is covered with woolly hair and possesses six to ten pairs of secondary nerves. Leaves from bushes are
generally larger, thinner, relatively more pliable, and have less prominent nerves. On the contrary, leaves
from mature trees are generally shorter, thicker, brittle, and coriaceous. The former category is, therefore,
preferred for beedi wrapping. Beedi smoking is an age old social custom practiced since time immemorial,
and today also it is equally popular. Leaves of species like Bauhinia recemosa, Bauhinia vahlii, Hollarhena
antidysentrica, Shorea robusta, Musa pradiscioca etc. have been tried for the purpose, and tendu leaf
(Diospyros melanoxylon) was found to be far superior. In general, tendu leaves possess appropriate
thickness, texture, colour, and pliability because of which they are preferred to leaves from other trees.
13.3.1 Attributes of Beedi Leaves
According to Kumar (2001) beedi leaves have the following attributes:
• Thin and fine texture of leaves make it pliable when moistened, for easy rolling of ‘beedis’.
• Tendu leaves possess hygroscopic nature i.e., they become extraordinarily soft after
moistening which renders beedi rolling easier without breaking.
• Tendu leaves have characteristic aroma which go well with tobacco, producing the desired
flavour while smoking.
• Slow and constant burning of beedi without getting extinguished once lighted is a desirable
quality.
• Tendu leaves dry up very quickly without developing wrinkles, cracks, and fractures. The beedis
so made can withstand baking and hot air treatment;
• It has capacity to withstand storage without deterioration of quality for nearly five years.
13.3.2 Silvicultural Characteristics of Tendu Tree
Diospyros melanoxylon is a moderate to large size tree found as understorey species in tropical deciduous
forests attaining a height of 20-25 m and a girth of 2 m at breast height, with cylindrical bole of 5-6 m, under
favourable conditions. In its natural habitat the maximum shade temperature various from 40º to 48º C, and
the minimum from 1º to 13º C. Seedlings of tendu trees are resistant to frost and drought but susceptible to
excessively moist condition. It reproduces easily through root suckers (Prasad and Mishra, 1976). The tree
coppices well, pollards better.
There is no standard method of tendu tree planting. Planting of 3 months old naked seedlings,
however, seems to be giving good result. Dyospyros melanoxylon is a naturally hardy species, which is
drought and fire resistant and almost immune to damage by browsing. In some parts of Madhya Pradesh,
they are almost difficult to be eradicated from land required for cultivation. On cleared forests masses of
root sucker reproduction persists (Troup,1921).
13.3.3 Past Trend in Tendu Leaf Collection
Tabulation of annual average production of tendu leaves in India (Table 1) shows that on an average 76.35
hundred thousand SB25 of tendu leaves were annually collected (Kumar & Prasad, 1998; Prasad et al.,
2000).
Madhya Pradesh (44.29 hundred thousand SB) is the largest producer of tendu leaves, accounting for
58.01% of the country’s total production.
Other states with substantial collection of leaves were Orissa (9.88 hundred thousand SB) and
Maharashtra (8.09 hundred thousand SB), which accounted for 12.94% and 10.60%, respectively.
The collection of leaves and rolling of beedis probably constitutes a sector worth an estimated Rs.20
billion in the erstwhile MP State (Joshi, 2003)
13.3.4 Crop Management and Cultural Practices
Considering that the object of management is to maximize the yield of quality leaves through regular annual
harvest, the emphasis is naturally on producing a profusion of leaf bearing shoots. Certain cultural practices
such as coppicing tendu bushes, pollarding/ pruning and trenching around tendu trees, have been found
useful in enhancing the quantity and quality of the leaves.
These activities could be undertaken during the months of February and April, depending upon the
length of the winter season. Very little, scientific data is, however, available on these aspects. Coppicing
yields best quality leaves and also facilitates easy collection of leaves. Light fire soon after coppicing, but
before the spouting of the stumps, stimulate the dominant leaf bud and favour the production of better flush
of numerous tender leaves. Coppicing is generally carried out between end of January and March, for better
leaf production.
Table 2. Estimated production of Tendu leaves in important states of India. (annual average during 1991-1998)
State
Production
(Hundred thousand SB)
Percentage (%)
44.29
9.88
8.09
5.46
2.34
0.29
5.99
12.94
10.60
7.15
3.07
0.38
7.85
58.01
76.35
100.00
Madhya Pradesh
Orissa
Maharashtra
Rajasthan
Gujarat
Karnataka
Others
Total
Source: Kumar & Prasad, 1998; Prasad et al 2000
Beyond April, the production of shoots drastically falls. For coppicing, bushy plants of about 20 to 40
mm girth is cut flush to the ground during January to early March. With the onset of spring season, the new
shoots come up with leathery crimson coloured leaves, which ultimately turn into green colour by April end.
These are collected in two flush peaks, once in May first week and second in second fortnight of May.
Pollarding and pruning produce better quality and large size leaves. Small trees of tendu over 15 cm
in girth are cut at height ranging from 0.6 meter to 1.0 meter over the ground. Pruning the tendu trees is,
25
SB: Standard Bag Containing 1,000 Bundles of 50 leaves each.
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therefore, one of the accepted management practices to encourage new shoots and tender leaves. While
tendu trees inside forests are rarely plucked, small sized trees of the species standing on forest fringes are
pollarded to collect maximum leaves in the shortest possible time.
In experiments conducted in Jabalpur in the 1980’s (Prasad & Bhatnagar, 1991 a.) it was observed that,
amongst the different pruning methods under review, cutting back from the collar resulted in more than 300
percent increase in production per unit of land, and was comparatively better than the others. It could also
be observed that this treatment generated better quality leaves compared to others. On the whole, however,
all types of pruning improved the quality and quantity of the leaves.
The tendu trees naturally develop a lot of root suckers and can be made to grow profusely through
artificial injuries to its root system. As observed by Troup (1921) “the profusion and tenacity of sucker
reproduction of Diospyros melanoxylon, however, is in itself sufficient to ensure survival and increase of the
species, without the aid of seedling reproduction which is itself, often, plentiful.”
Since the species is generally fire resistant, normal surface fires do not damage the crop. A most
common and damaging disease affecting tendu leaves is “pox disease”, caused by Psylla absoleta. It
damages the leaves by forming galls on the leaves.
13.3.5 Harvesting and Collection of Tendu Leaves
Fresh leaves appear during February-March and mature for plucking in April-May. The collection season
continues up to the end of May or the first week of June. Good leaves could be available even after the first
week of June, but collection has to be stopped about a week ahead of the expected time of the onset of
monsoon. This time is required to dry the plucked leaves.
The process of plucking tendu leaves essentially consists of four closely related steps. These are: (i)
walking to and from the tendu growing areas, (ii) plucking of leaves, (iii) sorting and tying the leaves in small
bundles, popularly known as ‘pudas’, and (iv) delivery of the bundles at the collection centres, or ‘phads’
(Gupta and Guleria, 1982).
13.3.6 Leaf Harvest
Harvesting of leaves are done manually and effort is made to collect entire matured leaves in every tendu
season. It is a month and half to two months long activity, during the hot summer months of Aprial-May.
Plucking of leaves generally starts in the early morning at sunrise and continues for about 5-6 hours till sun
gets too hot. The collectors go to a maximum distance of 4-5 km for leaf collection from their village. The collectors
make plucked leaves into head loads of their capacity and reach back home by lunchtime. Then, the collected
leaves are sorted out and good leaves are bundled into pudas of 50 leaves each, using locally available
fibers/thread. Collection of tendu leaves is, however, greatly affected by the local climatic factors.
Leaf pluckers deposit the gathered leaves in the Collection Centres of the Primary MFP Cooperative
Society known us Phad. A Phad Munshi (an Agent and an Accountant) maintains the account in the Phad.
He is responsible for: (i) taking delivery of the tendu leaves brought to the centre by individual pluckers, (ii)
maintaining records of the quantity of leaves received, and (iii) paying wages for the collection. There are
over 30,000 collection centres in the Madhya Pradesh State.
The small bundles (pudas) delivered at the collection centres, are left in the open for drying. The
bundles are turned upside down after three to four days, so that only top and lower leaves are exposed to
the sun alternatively; and the colour of the upper leaves turns to scarlet; they are fully dried within six to ten
days. The most common period for drying is one week. Drying place should preferably be: level or slightly
sloping, having no shade, dry and sandy, free from insect and white ants etc; away from grazing, timber or
fuel wood depots, playing ground for children, and not be vulnerable to floods. The dry leaves are processed
and packed in gunny bags. To avoid breakage in packing, and to retain their pliability, water is sprinkled on
the leaves. This is a highly technical but un-standardised operation. The water is usually sprinkled on the
dry leaves after sunset, and the leaves are packed before dawn. The appropriate amount of moisture in the
leaves at the time of packing is a matter of astute judgement. A standard bag is the common unit of
measurement for tendu leaves, containing 1,000 bundles of 50 leaves each.
13.3.7 Grading of Leaves
Prior to the year 1968, no quality classes of Tendu leaves were recognized in the State. In the year 1969,
on an adhoc basis, the entire production in the State was divided into two quality classes. Subsequently, in
1972, five quality classes came to be recognized. The specification laid down for the various qualities are
given below (Lahiri and Hazari, 1974).
Quality One
-
Quality Two
-
Quality Three Quality Four
-
Quality Five
-
Fairly large sized leaves, thin, smooth textured, weight of leaves being 65 to 80
kg per standard bag.
Large sized leaves, thin, smooth textured, weight of leaves being 65 to 80 kg
per standard bag.
Medium sized leaves (i.e. smaller than those of qualities one and two), fairly
thin, fairly smooth textured, weight of leaves being 50 to 65 kg per standard bag.
Small sized leaves, thin to medium in thickness, texture being fairly smooth,
weight being 40 to 50 kg per standard bag.
Small sized leaves, thin to medium in thickness, texture being smooth or rough,
weight being below 40 kg per standard bag.
The above grading system, however, was not applied seriously. From the past records it would be seen
that bulk of the collection units (56 to 75%) were assigned class III and only a small number of units were
given first and second class. Similarly, classes IV and V also accounted for a few units only. Another
interesting observation is the variability of percentage of units coming under different quality classes in
different years. There have also been other attempts to grade tendu leaves. Four Agmark grades, namely
(i) good, (ii) standard, (iii) fair, and (iv) general, have been laid down. There are no information regarding
the quantity of tendu leaves graded on that scale.
13.3.8 Storage
The bagged tendu bundles are transported and stored in godowns or sheds, awaiting sale. The godown
ground should be cleaned and made termite proof, rain and moisture proof. The common salt or insecticide
may be sprinkled on the ground. tendu leaves are tied generally by strings made out of the bark of various
forest tree species like Bauhinia vahlii and Grewia spp. Termites cut these strings during drying and also
cause considerable damage to leaves. Caution is required to prevent such damages.
13.3.9 Trend in Tendu Leaves Production
Production of tendu leaves in Madhya Pradesh was about 2 million SBs in 1965. It increased to 5.5 million
SBs in 1986 and to 7.06 million SBs in 1988. The eighties witnessed a sharp increase in collection.
However, there has been a somewhat falling trend since. In 1999, the total collection of tendu leaves in MP
was recorded to be 4.92 million SBs. Year-wise annual collection and corresponding revenue from tendu
leaves are presented in Figure 2.
Note: only part of collection is sold in 1999
Figure 2. Year-wise collection of Tendu lLeaves and revenue during 1970-2000 for MP state
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In Period I (1970-80), the mean collection of tendu leaves in Madhya Pradesh was recorded to be 2.60
million SBs and in the next Period-II, it increased to an average of 5.29 million SBs. In Period-III (1989-99),
however, collection fell to an average of 4.50 million SBs.
In regard to the declining trend of leaves collection, Prasad et al. (1996) reported that the reduction did
not result from lack of resources but mostly from controlled collection arising due to the mind-set of
accepting only “good quality” leaves. Earlier some inferior leaves were also collected and marketed when
private traders managed the areas. Another reason was that the State agency usually collects leaves on
the basis of quotas determined by their capacity to handle the stock of leaves rather than on the production
potential from an area. Collection centres are invariably closed after the achievement of their predetermined target /quota.
13.3.10 Cost of Production
Cost of production by individual components (e.g. coppicing, collection, drying, packaging,
transportation, storage, establishment and miscellaneous) for a unit of production (standard bundle of 50
leaves or standard bag of 50,000 leaves) is not readily forthcoming. The average cost upto the stage of
arranging of sale at the godowns is reported to be about Rs.400 per standard bag.
13.3.11 Undesirable Practices
Since wages are based on outturn, i.e. the quantity of leaves of acceptable quality, some collectors trend to
adopt short-cut methods of obtaining maximum leaves in minimum time. One such method is setting tendu
bushes on fire to provide better flush, and softer and more tender leaves early in the plucking season, but
this, in several cases, has also resulted in forest fires. Another, particularly for collecting leaves from tendu
trees along forest boundaries, is to cut small branches and take them home where the useful leaves are
sorted out to be delivered in bundles of 50 leaves each. Rest of the leaves are thrown away. Since the
collection is more or less regulated co-operatively, only stray cases of such destructive harvesting are being
observed.
Table 3. Annual growth & co-efficient of variation of Tendu leaves collection in Madhya Pradesh
Period
Annual Growth Rate (r)
( %)
Mean ± sd
(Hundred thousand)
Coefficient of Variation
(CV %)
1970-1980
1981-1988
1989-1999
1970-1999
4.10
4.90
-0.95
2.82
26.01 ± 3.67
52.88 ± 9.57
45.02 ± 5.88
40.17 ± 12.94
14.08
18.10
13.07
32.22
Source: Prasad et al. 2000
Note: Upto 1980, right to collect tendu leaves was sold in auction to contractors. Since 1981, Madhya Pradesh introduced ‘lump sum
tender system’ in tendu leaves marketing.
Since 1989, Madhya Pradesh introduced 3-tier Co-operative system [Primary Societies at village level, District Union at district
level and State Level Apex, MP State Minor Forest Produce (Trading and Development) Federation Ltd.] in tendu leaves
collection and trade.
13.3.12 Value Added Processing
Manufacturing of beedis is believed to have started in MP sometime in 1906, in Jabalpur. Beedi
manufacturing is a well established and most important cottage industry in the State. Some 700 factories
are producing over 600 million beedis in MP. It provides employment to rural unemployed and landless
labourers. It provides employment to women, children, adult persons and old people, many of whom are
immobilized at home. The rural people during their leisure produce beedies for local manufacturers.
13.3.13 Marketing of Tendu Leaves
The past policy of selling the right to collect the tendu leaves without proper controls and the high-handed
approach of commission agents has now been changed. It involves collection and processing of the leaves
by member of Primary MFP Collector’s Co-operative Societies. The apex body is responsible for organising
the marketing of the collected produce. This has to a great extent helped to reduce the inefficiencies and
mal practices.
During the first four years of existence of MP-MFP-CFL, 1984-1988, leaves collection was entrusted to
Large Area Multipurpose Societies (LAMPS) and Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS). The
direct involvement of the Federation in regard to tendu leaves trade was confined to a few districts of the
State, and the Cooperative Societies played only a negligible role. In order to give the forest dwellers, who
collect tendu leaves, a sense of involvement in trade, the State Government decided to co-operatize the
trade more intensively as well as extensively. One of the main considerations of the Government policy in
establishing monopoly trade of tendu leaves was to ensure fair remuneration to the collectors. Keeping this
in view, the State government of Madhya Pradesh kept revising collection rates of tendu leaves from time
to time, from Rs.15 per SB in 1970 to Rs.400 per SB in 2000. Like few other states, Madhya Pradesh tried
to maintain the leaf quality by reducing collection below the production potential so that the sale should not
be depressed (Rao, 1994; Prasad et at., 1996; GoMP, 2000).
Considering the large quantity of tendu leaves being sold on a regular basis, MP-MFP-CFL has
established elaborate steps and arrangements (involving Expert Committees) regarding its disposal at fair
and remunerative prices. The leaves stored in godowns or warehouses are sold through inviting tenders
and/or through open auctions. The advertisement inviting tenders for the purchase of leaves provides
information on expected quantities at the different sale centres.
The purchasers of tendu leaves are selected annually, for defined units of sale, after a scrutiny of
sealed tenders. The leaves are, generally, purchased by big contractors or by industrial houses. Some 70
to 75% of the leaves produced are sold to buyers from outside the state. The annual sales turnover of MPMFP-CFL recently had been about Rs.4 billion.
Details of approved collection wage rates, quantity of leaf collection since 1990 along with its collecting
wages, sale price, etc for the State of Madhya Pradesh are given in Table 4. Decreasing production
(collection) of leaves during last two years is due to bifurcation of Chhatisgarh from Madhya Pradesh in
2000.
Apart from the collection wages and related charges, the marketing costs and overheads have to be
adjusted out of the total sales proceeds. The apex body and DCUs are also given a token commission of
one rupee per standard bag.
13.3.14 Benefit Sharing
As a result of the 73rd Amendment to the constitution, Gram Sabhas have been given ownership rights on
MFPs. Accordingly, the State Government has decided that the net income from the trade of MFPs will be
distributed amongst gatherers and use for development. Under this, 50% goes to actual gatherers as bonus
or incentives, 20% for development of the resource and the rest 30% for infrastructure of the village.
Table 4. Tendu leaves trade in Madhya Pradesh [Quantity: in hundred thousand SB]
Year
Collection
Wage Rate
(Rs./S.B)
Total Quantity collected
in ‘00 thousand SB
Total Collection
Wages Rs.Million
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
250
250
300
300
300
300
350
350
400
400
400
400
61.15
46.16
45.06
41.31
42.38
39.46
44.43
39.95
44.94
49.12
29.59
21.28
152.88
115.40
135.18
123.93
127.14
118.08
155.50
139.82
179.76
196.48
118.36
85.12
Quantity Sold in Sale Price Average Sale
’00 thousand SB Rs.Million Rate (Rs./S.B)
60.57
45.79
44.64
40.98
42.08
39.26
44.43
39.95
44.90
49.11
27.44
10.46
2484.7
2980.7
2859.9
2527.7
2994.0
2893.9
3388.4
3387.0
4075.8
4022.0
1744.5
979.3
Note: 1. The Sale price of 1998 includes Rs.30.5 million received from sale of 1,2603 Qt of Graded Leaves.
2. Chhatisgarh is bifurcated from Madhya Pradesh in 2000
The Collection rate in 1999 was Rs.300/- per S.B. in 5 Districts and Rs.400/- per S.B. in rest of the State.
410.2
650.9
640.7
618.8
711.5
737.1
762.6
847.8
907.8
819.0
635.8
936.2
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13.3.15 Socio Economic Impact
Activities linked to the collection and trade of Tendu leaves are of great socio-economic significance
particularly in generating employment and income. Realistic and reliable details are, however, not available,
barring several estimates. At the national level, based on arbitrary assumptions about time involved in
various activities and assuming a production of 300,000 lonnes, Gupta and Guleria (1982) estimated the
employment in tendu leaf collection at 107,000 man years. Assuming a production of 360,000 tonnes,
Prasad et al. (1996) estimated that, nationally about 5 million families earn wages varying from Rs.500 to
Rs.4,000 per household per annum from collection of tendu leaves. With specific reference to Madhya
Pradesh, Prasad and Bhatnagar (1991 a), assumed that collection per labourer per day will be about 100
bundles and assuming an annual production of 5.5 million standard bags per annum estimated, the
employment generation in collection activity alone at 55 million person days per year. (About 120, 000 man
years). A recent report has indicated that about 2.4 million pluckers in MP are getting employment in
collection and primary processing of tendu leaves (GoMP, 2000). Yet another unidentified source mentions
that 1.5 to 2.0 million families are benefited directly or indirectly by tendu leaf collection.
13.3.16 Government Revenue
Before the new policy of sharing the profit with the village communities was introduced, the net income in the form
of sale/lease proceeds formed government revenue, which had amounted to about 400 million Rupees.
13.3.17 Insurance Scheme for Leaf Pluckers
In addition to revising collection wage rate, the State Government of Madhya Pradesh also introduced a
welfare scheme of “Group Insurance” for tendu leaf collectors. The MP-MFP-CLF, with the help of Life
Insurance Corporation of India introduced the Group Insurance Scheme of the tendu leaves pluckers in
1991. Under this scheme, all tendu leaves pluckers between the age of 18 and 60 years are insured without
paying any cost. The MP-MFP-CFL pays half of the premium amount and the balance is made available by
the Government of India. Under this scheme about 2.4 million pluckers are covered. In case of death of any
plucker covered under this scheme, his nominee is paid Rs. 25000. In case of disability due to accident, the
plucker is paid an amount of Rs. 12,500. Till now 115,238 claims have been settled and an amount of
Rs.395.6 million has been paid to the families of the deceased pluckers.
13.3.18 Women in Tendu Leaves Collection
On the role of women in forestry, the Government’s Policy is directed towards the following:
• Engaging majority of women in tendu leave collection.
• Increasing minimum membership strength of women upto 50% in the Primary M.F.P Cooperative Societies.
• Filling 20% of “Phad Munshi” posts with women in 1st year, and later on upto 50% in tendu
patta collection works.
• Providing child care facilities in tendu leaves collection centers for helping the working women.
• Encouraging and strengthening M.F.P collection, nursery raising and forest protection through
women groups and societies.
• Providing basic amenities like drinking water, education, health care etc. to the families living
inside the forest settlement.
• Providing non-conventional energy sources for meeting the women’s domestic needs.
• Recognising women as equal partners in “tree patta” and J.F.M programmes, with an assured
50% representation.
• Introducing welfare measures to reduce the occupational hazards of women working in the
forestry sector.
Women are the major workforce for tendu leaf collection. Out of 4 or 5 family members engaged in
collection of tendu leaves, 2 or 3 numbers (61.90%) were females (Prasad et al., 2000). By category of
workforce (male adult, female adult and children below 15 years), females were recorded to be the highest
(42.86%) followed by children below 15 years (33.33%) and male adult (23.81%). Since the duration of leaf
collection is very short, most family members from each household are involved in collection and processing
so as to maximize family income.
13.3.19 Value Adding Chain
Tendu leaves are collected by rural poor. Leaves are then purchased by contractors and beedi
manufacturers at an average rate of Rs.22.50 per kg (each standard bag of leaves on an average weighs
40 kg, and average sale price of each such bag has been taken as Rs. 900 (US $ 18.40). The collector
receives Rs.11.25 per kilogram as wages, Rs.3.12 as collection incentive or bonus, which total up-to
Rs.14.37. The Federation and District Union also receive a token commission of Rs. 1 per SB.
One-kg of leaves are converted into 1,500 beedis by the industrial houses valued at Rs.200 (US $ 4.38)
paid by the ultimate consumers. Rs.54.00 are spent as wages for rolling of 1,500 beedis, Rs. 23.00 are
spent on transport, distribution, godowning, packaging, labour charge and about Rs.20.00 for materials
(tobacco and thread), paper, taxes, market promotion etc. The beedis are distributed to district level dealers
from the industrial houses, through the state/regional level agents. District level dealers distribute beedis to
grocery shops and retail outlets. Finally at consumer level, a beedi costs Rs. 0.12 to 0.20 depending upon
the quality and brand. Average price spread in the trade channel is given in Table 5. On an average by
investing Rs.93.00 per kg, the actors in the trade channel earn a net return of Rs. 92.63.
13.3.20 Environmental Impact
Diospyros melanoxylon is a hardy species and capable of sustaining under adverse conditions. Also,
harvest of leaves is normally done within safe limits. However, as the economic potential improves, the
intensity of collection may tend to increase, and more significant infrastructures for trade and processing
would develop. This raises some concerns for the sustainability of the resources and the distribution of the
benefits derived from them (Prasad and Bhatnagar, 1991 a).
13.3.21 Some Issues
Inspite of the benefit flow provided by ‘tendu’ resource, no efforts seem to have gone into enhancing the
resource – through genetic improvement and scientific breeding – to extent the period of harvest, to induce
multiple/periodic leaf flushing, to find alternate uses for leaves, to improve flavour, to utilize wood etc. Also,
no resource inventory exists, to assess its real potential.
Table 5. Average price spread of beedis in the trade channels
Particulars
Collectors share
Marketing costs ( including charges for beedi rolling)
Marketing margin of all actors in the channels (including MFP Federation )
Consumers rupees
Rupee share
Percentage
14.37
93.00
92.63
200.00
7.20
46.50
46.30
100.00
13.3.22 Genetic Improvement of Tendu
The extent of occurrence and physiological and morphological characteristics of tendu, do not indicate any
apparent need for genetic improvement, particularly as it does not present any problems. Tendu is a very
gregarious species. Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon) is extensively distributed in the Indian peninsula in
central India ( Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh, Orissa and adjoining states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan,
Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Southern Uttar Pradesh).
It is a characteristic tree of dry mixed deciduous forests. It also occurs as understory in teak (Tectona
grandis) and sal (Shorea robusta) forests in central India and form pure consociations on forest fringes,
forested wasteland etc. In the mixed dry deciduous forests each patch of tendu consists of one or two trees
surrounded by a vast progeny of young plants, largely arising as root suckers. At forest margins and in and
around abandoned cultivation, where heavy grazing, hacking-out and fires are most common, tendu tends
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to dominate in a bush form – since it is fire hardy, usually not browsed by animals and has extraordinary
powers of proliferation through coppice and root suckers. The leaf pluckers concentrate in open areas
(wastelands, forest fringes, abandoned cultivated areas) where bushes are in plenty. Thus looking at the
extent of occurrence and habit of the species, neither genetic improvement nor any plantation effort may be
necessary, for this gregarious species. Since no research is needed to solve problems related to the
species, it will be of interest to investigate how its potential uses can be enhanced through improving its
characteristics and finding alternate uses.
13.3.23 Alternative Uses of Tendu Leaves
There has been no information on alternate uses of tendu leaves so far, because tendu leaves are small
and thin, and hence it is neither technically feasible nor economically viable to use it for making leaf plates.
This however presents a challenge – whether such a profuse and prolific producer of leaves can be
genetically improved to be able to produce leaves suitable for other uses and purposes.
13.3.24 Wood Uses
Wood of the tendu tree is very hard and therefore, not preferred for sawing. However, this tree is also known
to produce Indian ebony wood. Troup (1921) in Silviculture of Indian Trees, had mentioned that tendu wood
can be used for building, shafts, shoulder poles and carved into walking sticks, picture frames, and fancy
articles. This also is an area of research.
13.3.25 Involvement of Local People in Beedi Manufacture
Beedi manufacturing and marketing is monopolized by beedi industrial houses . These industrialists
purchase beedi leaves in bulk and then distribute leaves, tobacco and threads to villagers to make beedies.
They get wages for the manufactured beedies. Each such industry has its own trade mark and blending and
have market in certain regions of the country. Thus, although the beedies are made by local people its
marketing is done under a brand name of the industrial houses. Local beedi makers may not have
resources, except the locally available leaves and access to markets, and therefore it is unthinkable that
local people would be able to manufacture and sell their own beedies. The local people are contracted on
the basis of agreed wages they can earn from year. round beedi making at home. The beedi makers are
issued certain quantity of raw material (leaves, tobacco and thread) to make a pre-determined numbers of
beedis. In the event of rejection or shortfall, the wages are deducted and to safeguard against this the beedi
makers collect and store some leaves at home. A study in Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh (www.labourfile.org)
showed that 96.26% of total labour force in beedi rolling industry were women - 23.30 % female children in
the age group of 10-14 years, 63.17 % female adults, 1.35 % in the age group of 5-9 years, and 8.44% in
the age group of 15-18 years. Since beedi manufacturing has been taken up by Beedi Workers Cooperatives in some states in India, it is worthwhile to consider whether tendu leaf collection and manufacture
of beedis can be integrated at least in some localities where such an arrangement is feasible.
13.3.26 Is Beedi Manufacture A Sunset Industry?
Beedi industry has been under pressure mainly from anti-tobacco campaigns of various national and
international agencies. Another threat is the availability of cheap cigarettes in the markets. However, there
has been no evidence of reduction in demand during the past decade. There has been continuous demand
for manufacturing of extra quantity on beedi rolling labourers, over and above the agreed quantity for which
wages are paid. On the other hand, banning of Ghutka (a tobacco blended product) in several Indian States
is also doing favour to the beedi industry. Even in cases of decrease in demand for beedis, local people can
shift over their source of livelihood to a variety of NWFPs and medicinal plants available in plenty in the
forest of Madhya Pradesh. It is unlikely that beedi industry will ever crash. The business may stagnate or
slightly reduce. Moreover, with the growing passion for use of natural products for medicines, food,
cosmetics, pesticides etc, a number of flora and fauna may come in focus. The dry deciduous forests of
peninsular India, apart from being rich in tendu plants are also rich in a number of roots, leaves, flowers,
nuts and seeds which provide adequate employment and income to local people. With value addition,
storage and micro-credit facilities, the collectors may in fact be able to earn larger and additional income.
13.3.27 Balancing of Institutional Structure
It has been often said that ‘tendu leaf’ can make or break governments, because of the large number of
stake holders involved. There are all kinds of actors in the arena, playing different roles with political
motives; and, the new institutional development under the co-operative system has considerably benefited
the “resource owning” communities/co-operatives. There are also some observations that MP-MFP-CFL
has not yet become adequately participatory. To quote a recent report (Joshi 2003). “The MFP Federation
became a cash cow, and the government didn’t want to give up control over it. Till date, the administrative
control of the cooperative structure is with the Forest Department, be it the primary societies at the village
level, the district–level societies, or the state-level society. In fact, 18 years since its creation, the members
of the state-level coordinating body are nominated, not elected.” This is a matter for further consideration,
for ensuring balanced institutional development.
13.4 Other Nationalized NWFPs
Other important nationalized NWFPs under the purview of MP-MFD-CFL are harra, sal seed, gums etc. A
brief account of operation of MP-MFP-CFL with regard to these products is discussed below.
13.4.1 Harra
Harra (Terminalia chebula) is a small to medium sized tree and is found on higher plateaus of dry and moist
deciduous forests. It is also found in open forests and agricultural bunds. Natural regeneration of this
species is very poor.
The tree is valued for its timber and the fruit, which supplies the myrobolan of commercial value.
Matured seeds are used as tan stuff and young and seedless fruits are used for medicine.
Harvesting of harra fruits is done once a year, during October-March with peak during DecemberFebruary. It is estimated that, on an average, each tree yields 2– 5 quintal of fruits per season. Collection
of harra is done by the MP-MFP-CFL through Primary Societies in 17 harra producing districts of the State.
In 1995–96 a record quantity of fruits, 107,150 quintals, was collected in Madhya Pradesh through primary
societies. In 1999-2000 a total of 47,993 quintal was collected and an amount of Rs.26.4 million was paid
as collection wages. Out of it, 47,076 quintals of harra could be sold at a sale price of Rs.32.2 million.
13.4.2 Sal Seeds
MP-MFP-CFL collects sal seeds through PCCS in 12 Districts of the State, which are predominantly sal
forest areas. Valuable edible oil is extracted from these seeds. Sal seed contains 19-20% of oil. The oil is
used as a substitute of butter and also in confectionaries and eatables. The oil cakes remaining after oil
extraction contains 10-12% protein and are used as feed for chicken. It is also used as manure.
In the year 1999, a total of 78,635 quintals of sal seeds were collected and an amount of Rs.23.3million
was paid as collection wages. All the sal seeds collected in the State are being sold by open
tenders/auctions.
13.4.3 Vegetable Gums
Vegetable gums are solids consisting of mixtures of polysaccharides (carbohydrates) which are either water
soluble or absorb water and swell up to form a gel or jelly when placed in water. They are insoluble in oils
or organic solvents such as hydrocarbons, ether and alcohol. The mixtures are often complex and on
hydrolysis yield simple sugars such as arabinose, galactose, mannose and glucuronic acid.
Some gums are produced by exudation, usually from the stem of a tree, but in few cases from the root.
The exudation is often considered to be a pathological response to injury to the plant, either accidental or
caused by insect borers or by deliberate injury (“tapping”). Seed gums are those isolated from the
endosperm portion of some seeds.
Kullu (Sterculia urens) and salai (Boswellia serrata) trees are valuable gum producing trees. In
addition, gum from Axle Wood tree or Dhaoda (Anogeissus latifoia), cutch tree or khair (Acacia catechu)
and Indian gum arabic tree or babul (Acacia nilotica) are also extracted and are economically important.
These gums come under the category of Nationalized Minor Forest Produce. Extraction of these gums is
carried out through PCCS and DCUs. The gum collected is sold through open tenders/auctions.
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13.5 Non-Nationalised NWFPs
In addition to the nationalized NWFPs a number of very important and valuable non-nationalised produces
like aonla (Emblica officinalis), chironji (Buchanania lanzan), mahua (Madhuca latifolia), chirota (Cassia
tora), neem seed (Azadirachta indica), mahul (Bauhinia vahlii) patta, honey, tamarind (Tamrindus indica) etc.
are also found in the forests of MP. Few most important non–nationalized NWFPs in Madhya Pradesh,
marketed by MP-MFP-CFL are discussed below.
13.5.1 Aonla (Emblica officinalis) – Indian Gooseberry
It is a small or medium sized deciduous tree with smooth, greenish gray, exfoliating bark. Aonla is found wild
or cultivated throughout the greater part of Madhya Pradesh. The tree is common to the mixed deciduous
forests. The fruit is green when unripe, changing to light yellow or brick red colour when mature. It is sour
in taste and has medicinal value. However, the fruit is better known as the basis of pickles, preserves and
jellies. On account of the various preparations made from fresh aonla, it is a valued fruit. It is also collected
for use in the preparation of ayurvedic tonics and medicines. According to the interviews conducted in aonla
producing areas, about half of the total collection is sent for ayurvedic preparations. However, despite the
fact that aonla is a very valuable fruit, little benefit is derived by the local collectors, presumably due to
ignorance about the value of the fruit in final/consumer markets.
This species is threatened due to almost total harvest by the collectors at an immature stage, even 2-3
months before maturity (Prasad et al., 2001). Based on professional recommendation, the Government of
Madhya Pradesh took appropriate measures by imposing restriction on harvest of immature aonla fruits.
13.5.2 Chironjee (Buchanania lanzen)
Locally known as chironjee, achar, achar-guthli or char, this is an important tree species, frequently found in
the mixed dry deciduous forests of central India. The tree is a moderate light demander and is commonly
found as an under-storey in teak (Tectona grandis) and sal (Shorea robusta) forests. The local people eat
the fruit, and kernels are extracted and dried mostly for sale in the market. The kernel is rated as a delicacy
and is highly priced. Kernels are commonly used in sweetmeat preparations but also form an important
ingredient of herbal-based cosmetics and medicines.
Extraction of chironjee fruits have been reported to be unscientific and unsustainable (Bhatnagar, 1998
& Prasad et al., 1999) and over-harvesting has resulted in its being placed in the category of vulnerable
species. At present collectors harvest chironjee fruits mainly by lopping and pollarding of branches and in
some places, even by felling of whole trees.
13.5.3 Mahua (Madhuca latifolia)
Another very important NWFP is mahua. The tree is a large semi-evergreen tree and bears flowers from the
end of February to April. The tribal population relies heavily on this tree for their livelihood. Liquor from
mahua flower is an important drink. The flowers are not eaten, but are also an integral part of tribal festivities,
when they are offered to the local deities. When fermented and distilled, the flowers yield a spirituous liquor
which is also known as ‘country beer’. Efforts are being made to refine it in modern distilleries. Mahua
flowers are a rich source of sugar, vitamins and calcium and thus offer wholesome nourishment.
13.5.4 Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum )
It is a commercially important medicinal plant. Roots of this plant are used for preparation of tonic, aurvedic
medicines for rheumatic and nervous complaints, diabetes , sex complaints, arthritis etc. It flourishes well in
tropical climate with an annual rainfall of 80-120 cm and temperature ranging between 10º C – 38º C. Since
safed musli is a tuber species, it needs a sandy loamy soil with neutral pH (6.5-8.0). Soil with organic matter
in high quantity yields better results. Safed musli is also cultivated in some parts of country. Heavy black soil
is not suitable for cultivation of safed musli.
Harvesting of musli is done through digging of tubers generally in the month of January- February. For
marketing, tubers are dried after peeling. Under the cultivated condition, one-acre of land produces on an
average 3-5 quintals of dried roots. There have been reports of unsustainable harvest of safed musli tubers
from natural forests. (Prasad, et al. 2000). Due to its high value, collectors harvest this tuber by uprooting
whole plants from the natural forest irrespective of its maturity, to maximize personal income. Therefore, it
is also necessary to teach and train the collectors on proper methods of harvesting and also post harvest
primary processing like cleaning, washing, drying etc.
13.5.5 Trade of Non-Nationalized NWFPs
The villagers are free to collect and sell non-nationalized NWFPs in Madhya Pradesh. Generally, after meeting
their own requirements, the villagers sell the balance quantity to small local traders or middlemen at very low
prices. These middlemen, in turn, earn huge profits from these produces. Therefore, to help villagers from
middlemen’s exploitation, the collection of some NWFPs were started through PCCS from 1995-96. The
Primary Societies (PCCS) purchase these produces from the collectors and later on sell in bigger markets. The
elected officials of the PCCS and DCUs take all the decisions regarding the quantity purchase price and sale.
The forest officials facilitate and give all necessary help and guidance to them. The apex body (MP-MFP-CFL)
liaises with big traders and manufacturers and also plays a vital role in market intelligence. The MP-MFP-CFL
gathers information regarding the market price and supply conditions and transfers this information to the DCUs,
so that the produce collected by the societies can be conveniently sold at remunerative prices. Further, the MPMFP-CFL has also prepared elaborate literature regarding the availability, period of collection, uses etc. of a
number of NWFPs and supplied this information to the PCCSs and DCUs.
Collection and trading of selected non-nationalised NWFPs like aonla, mahul patta, mahua seed, and
achar (chironjee) is being undertaken by MP-MFP-CFL, through its primary societies. In the year 1998-99
about 12,189 Qt of non-nationalised NWFPs were collected. Under the arrangements initiated by MP-MFPCFL, collection units are to be constituted for different non-nationalised NWFPs and the collection
cost/wage rates are to be fixed according to their sale price in these units. Accordingly, 48 aonla units were
constituted in 19 aonla producing districts of the State. Tenders were invited for advance sale of green aonla
in these units; 35 units were sold in 2001 at a sale rate ranging from Rs.3.00 to Rs.5.95 per kg of green
aonla. Green aonla is to be collected by respective PCCS in these units and the collected quantity shall be
delivered in green condition to the purchaser.
On the basis of the accepted selling price, the wage/cost rate of collection of aonla has been fixed
varying from Rs.2.50 to Rs.5.40 per kg. In the previous years the collectors used to get only about Rs.0.50
per kg as collection wage from middlemen. Thus, there is more than five-fold increase in the collection
wages as a result of intervention of the MP-MFP-CFL. Similar steps are being taken with regard to mahul
patta, mahua seed and achar (chironjee).
13.6 Outlook
The tendu leaves collection, which has been going on for several decades is facing stiff competition from
new products like ‘gutkas’ and cigarettes. The leaf collectors reported about rejection of leaves of lower
quality at phads or collection centres. There is a tendency among younger generation to move towards the
new products. Other possibilities are being explored to find new NWFPs, as alternate sources of income.
As revealed, there are several NWFPs in Ladwar which are not collected. Fuelwood is also an important
source of income. Most of the tribal families here, sell headloads of fuelwood atleast 3 times a week at the
rate of Rs 8-10 per head load, and earns about Rs.240/- per month. From a long-term view, the villagers
are interested in learning more about processing and marketing of NWFPs, as a sustainable source of
income. If training on post-harvest technology, involving simple processing, grading, packaging, storage and
marketing is given, it will help the poor households to enhance their income (Bhatnagar, 1994., Prasad et al.,
1996.). Although, research institutions and NGOs have given training on different aspects like NWFP
cultivation, it was not adequate to sustain development, for want of a marketing strategy. A business
enterprise strategy based on sound market information will be required, to tap the potential of NWFPs for
supporting development of the rural and tribal communities.
13.7 Future Development
To enhance its impact beyond the initial aim of ensuring due benefit, from the NWFPs which are currently
in demand, to the forest-dependent communities, consistent with resource conservation, the MP-MFP-CFL
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has attempted to continuously improve its strategic outreach. The Federation has already expanded its field
of activities to cover all the nationalized, as well as some of the non-nationalised, NWFPs. It has introduced
the concept of People’s Protected Areas (PPAs) for comprehensive and integrated development of forests
and the forest-dependent people. Some of the other areas which are receiving the attention of the
Federation are: decentralised responsibilities, value addition to NWFPs, enhanced R&D programme, human
resources development, adequate information system, and focused attention on hitherto neglected
products/services. An area where attention is being focused presently, is medicinal plant development.
13.8 Success Criteria and Constraints
The MP-MFP-CFL can justifiably claim that inspite of several constraints and deficiencies, it has generally
succeeded, and has gone a long way, in achieving its prime objectives.
13.8.1 Positive Aspects
The tribal people and forest village communities, as “resource owners” are saved from the clutches of the
middle men and their income (and other benefits) from NWFPs have increased several folds. The people
are empowered, and they are able to participate increasingly in managing the NWFP resources, from
planning through harvesting and marketing to benefit-sharing. A healthy equation has been established
between the forests, people and the State which can further be rationalized and strengthened. Improvement
to the village infrastructure has enhanced the quality of life of the forest-dependent communities. Situation
with regard to human resources in the rural areas has also improved through exposure to market, and
training activities undertaken by MP-MFP-CFL.
Condition of the forest resource has also generally improved, with reduction in the incidence of wasteful
harvesting and of forest fires. Initiatives are also underway on many fronts – research and development,
downstream processing, product development, domestication of medicinal plants, vertical integration of
activities, decentralization of responsibilities and so on; and, these are expected to bear fruit in the near future.
13.8.2 Constraints
However, there are several constraints to be addressed to ensure that the mission of MP-MFP-CFL meets
with enduring success. These constraints among others, include:
• The continuing “minor” status of NWFPs, the “scientific forestry still being geared primarily
towards production of wood.
• Heterogeneous nature of NWFPs
• Lack of a clear and comprehensive policy and legal framework, covering all aspects of NWFP
development
• Lack of inventory of NWFP resources
• Lack of adequate vertical integration of activities to support value addition.
• Interference and maneuvering with ulterior motives (power play) by political parties to influence
the main stakeholders.
• Inadequate R&D and lack of adequate extension and demonstration efforts; lack of improved
tools and techniques; inadequacy of quality controls.
13.8.3 Need for Clear Policy Support
MP-MFP-CFL aims at ensuring fair wages and other benefits for the NWFP collectors while ensuring
sustainable NWFP management. The first objective of providing better remuneration to NWFP collectors has
been greatly addressed, but the second objective of ensuring sustainable management of NWFP resources
leaves much to be desired. The collectors have been organized into co-operatives; they get a fair share of
the total revenue collected; and they have greater participation in management decision making. In this
respect, the efforts have succeeded. However, for NWFP items which are not nationalized i.e. which are free
from any state control, the collectors are still at the mercy of middlemen. There is a long chain between
primary collectors and end-users; and the supply channels for each species are different, depending on the
availability of the resources in the forests and many other factors.
NWFPs are generally collected from the wild. Only in the past 4-5 years there have been some
promotional activities for ex- situ conservation of commercially important medicinal plants. Some NWFP rich
areas have been earmarked for concentrated conservation measures. Cultivation by private sector has also
been encouraged, to prevent the depletion of resources.
Though the private sector and the Government have already taken initiatives on a small scale, there is
an urgent need for a clear and comprehensive policy on NWFPs.
14.0 CONCLUSION
The old system of selling the right to collect NWFPs to private contractors was blamed for the high level of
exploitation suffered by the tribal and rural community. The present system and the role of MP-MFL-CFL
are also being blamed for restricting the freedom of the NWFP collectors to sell their produces to buyers
who may pay more (than at the Collection Centers). It is alleged that in order to maximize the margin or
profit, the collection centers buy only better quality NWFPs (particularly tendu leaves), thus affecting the
quantity collected and reducing the earnings of the gatherers. The state of Madhya Pradesh showed
declining trend in collection of tendu leaves during 1990s and could utilize only 59% of the State’s
production potential. A substantial quantity of leaves, collected by the poor villagers, has generally been
passing through numerous unauthorized petty contractors mostly after the closure of the collection centers.
Similar cases are noticed also in respect of other nationalized NWFPs. A contradiction is apparent here.
There are no “cost-free” benefits. One has to look for what is more beneficial (or less costly); and that
situation is dynamic and will change with changes in the level of education, awareness, outlook, political
biases, commitment and co-operative spirit of the society.
Collection and trade of NWFP under the monopoly of MP-MFP-CFL has been found to be better than
under private control. Continued effectiveness of MP-MFP-CFL requires sustained political support and
excellent/honest bureaucratic mechanism. The challenge for the government of Madhya Pradesh and the
Federation is to devise policies that strike a correct balance between improving livelihoods of the
community/collectors and sustaining the potential of NWFP resources. The role of the government is
extremely important. First, to ensure fair return to collectors and sustainable development of forests.
Second, to improve the bargaining power of the NWFP collectors by developing the capacity of local
institutions. Third, to increase their knowledge and awareness about price, quality differentials, purchase
preferences, possible market channels as well as importance of ecological sustainability. Fourth, to
establish micro-credit facilities to ward off the exploitative practices of middlemen and ensure remunerative
prices to collectors. Fifth, to support research and development and Sixth, to periodically carryout needed
policy reforms and establish enforcement mechanisms.
15.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author sincerely wishes to thank Dr. Chandrashekharan for going through the manuscript and critically
analysing the contents. The author also owes his gratitude to his colleagues in Madhya Pradesh MFP
Federation for providing certain details and Dr. BR Phukan at IIFM for extending help in compilation and
analysis of research results. Grateful thanks to ITTO for providing this opportunity to prepare this case-study
and present the same in the International Workshop to be held in Malaysia in April 2004.
16.0 REFERENCES
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Division, Madhya Pradesh. Vaniki Sandesh 18(1): 19-29 pp.
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2(IV): 3-8.
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series-II, Vaniki Sandesh Vol.XIII (1).
Bhattacharya, P. 2000. Science and Technology Management Intervention in Value Addition of Selected NTFP for
Enhancing Income Generation in Madhya Pradesh. IIFM Report (unpublished).
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Forestry Research & Education, Dehradun, Uttranchal, India).
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Chopra, K. 1993. The Value of Non-Timber Forest Products: An Estimation for Tropical Deciduous Forests in India,
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Chopra, K. 1994. Valuation and Pricing of Non-Timber Forest Products: A Study for Raipur District of Madhya Pradesh.
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GOI/MoEF. 1998. Report of Expert Committee on Conferring Ownership Rights of MFPs on Panchayats. New Delhi,
India. Unpublished.
GOI/MOEF. 2002. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 2002.
GoMP. 1998. Annual Report of the Madhya Pradesh State Minor Forest Produce (Trade and Development) Cooperative
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GoMP. 2000. Vision for New Millennium- Peoples Protected Area (PPA). Madhya Pradesh State Minor Forest Produce
(Trade and Development) Cooperative Federation Ltd. Government of Madhya Pradesh, 2000.
GoMP. 2001. Madhya Pradesh Lok Vaniki Adhiniyam, 2001. Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, Government of
Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal.
GoMP. 2002. Madhya Pradesh Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Bhopal: Department of Biodiversity and
Biotechnology, and Environmental Protection and Coordination Organisation.
Gupta, Tirath and Amar Guleria. 1982. Some Economic and Management Aspects of a Non-Wood Forest Product in
India. Oxford IBH Publishing Co. New Delhi
Joshi, Sopan. 2003. Super Market. Market in Minor Forest Produce, Secretive, Exploitative, Down to Earth 28
Feb.2003. pp 27-34.
Khare, A.et.al., 2000. Joint Forest Management: Policy, Practice and Prospects. Policy that Works for Forests and
People. Series No. 3. New Delhi, World Wide Fund for Nature – India and London, International Institute for
Environment and Development.
Kumar, N., et al. 2000. India: Alleviating Poverty through Forest Development. Evaluation Country Case Study
Series.Washington, D.C., World Bank.
Kumar, V. 2001. Tendu (Diospyros spp.). Daya Publishing House. New Delhi-110035
Kumar,J and R. Prasad. 1998. Study of Tendu Leaves Market. (A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the Post
Graduate Diploma in Forestry Management). Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, India.
Laheri, F.A and L.S. Hazari. 1974. State Trading in Tendu Leaves in Madhya Pradesh – Constitution and Classification
of Tendu Leaves Units.
Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. 1999. A Report on Participatory Forest Management – JFM. Madhya Pradesh
Forestry Project. Bhopal.
Prasad Ram and Pratibha Bhatnagar. 1991a. Socio-Economic Potential of Minor Forest Produce in Madhya Pradesh.
State Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur.
Prasad, Ram 1999. Joint Forest Management in India and Impact of State Control over Non-wood Forest Products,
Unasylva, Vol. 50 No. 198, pp. 58-62.
Prasad, Ram and B.R.Phukan. 2000. State Control on Collection and Trade of NWFPs: A Case of Tendu Leaves
(Dyospyros melanoxylon) trade in India. IIFM Paper (Unpublished, Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal,
Madhya Pradesh) .
Prasad, Ram, P.C. Kotwal, and Manish Mishra. 2001. Impact of Harvesting of Embilica officinalis (aonla) on its Natural
Regeneration in Central Indian Forests. Journal of Sustainable Forestry. Vol 14(4).
Prasad, Ram, and G.P. Mishra. 1976. Ecological Status of D.melanoxylon in Dry Deciduous Teak Forests of Sagar
(Madhya Pradesh). Indian Forester, 106(1): 41-52.
Prasad, Ram, and P. Bhatnagar. 1991b. Wild Edible Products in the Forest in Madhya Pradesh. Journal of Tropical
Forestry.7(3): 210-218.
Prasad, Ram, B.R.Phukan, S.P.Singh, M.Mishra and Teki Surrya. 2000. Actual Collection and Production Potential of
Tendu Leaves in Madhya Pradesh. Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, India.
Prasad, Ram, P.K.Shukla and Pratibha Bhatnagar. 1996. Leaves from the forest: A Case study of Diospyros
melanoxylon (‘tendu’ Leaves) in Madhya Pradesh. Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development,
Jabalpur, 1996
Prasad, Ram, S. Das. and S.Sinha 1999. Value Addition Options for Non-Timber Products at Primary Collector’s Level.
International Forestry Review. Vol 1(1) 1999.
Rao. A.L. 1994. Beedi Leaves Collection & Utilization in India. FORSPA Occasional Paper No. 24, Funded by ADB &
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www.labourfile.org
www.mpmfpfederation.com
CLONAL PULPWOOD TREE FARMS CHANGE THE RURAL LANDSCAPE
IN ANDHRA PRADESH:
A CASE STUDY ON OUTGROWER FARMS OF CLONAL TREES OF ITC LTD.
LA LIGNICULTURE CLONALE PRODUISANT DU BOIS DE TRITURATION TRANSFORME LE PAYSAGE RURAL DANS
L’ANDHRA PRADESH:
ETUDE DU CAS DES FERMES D’ARBRES CLONÉS DE LA DIVISION D’ITC LTD
EL CULTIVO DE ÁRBOLES CLONALES DE MADERA PARA PULPA
TRANSFORMA EL PAISAJE RURAL EN ANDHRA PRADESH:
ESTUDIO DEL CASO DE FINCAS DE ÁRBOLES CLONALES DE ITC LTD.,
DIVISIÓN DE CARTONES Y PAPELES ESPECIALES
S. N. Rao
ITC Limited, Paperboards and Specialty Papers Division
SUMMARY
ITC Ltd., Paperboards and Specialty Papers Division (ITC-PSPD) operates an integrated pulp and paper mill located at
Sarapaka in the Khammam district of Andhra Pradesh. This mill was established in 1979 and currently has an installed
capacity of 1,00,000 mt of pulp and 182,500 mt of paperboards and paper per year. Present requirement of cellulosic
raw material of ITC-PSPD is about 400,000 tpa, which will grow to 800,000 tpa, with increase in its production capacity
and product range, as envisaged. The mill currently meets its raw material requirement from various sources.
An interesting feature of ITC-PSPD is the sponsorship and support of the company to promote outgrower (small
farmer) involvement to produce pulpwood from genetically improved and high yielding varieties of pulpwood species.
The mill was established on the basis of the commitment of the Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) to supply
major part of the raw material need from government forests. The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department (APFD) however
could not keep up the commitment beyond 1986, and in 1988, with a view to conserve natural forests and in keeping
with the National Forest Policy, the “clear felling” of forests was terminated. In 1989, the Andhra Pradesh Forest Produce
(Fixation of Selling Price) Act was passed. This provided for fixing selling price of raw material from government sources
to wood based industries, following certain prescribed procedure, namely that the selling price of bamboo and mixed
wood shall be fixed based on the production cost, but not below the market value of the produce at the point of supply.
With the effective enforcement of the above Act all existing arrangements for the supply of raw material was abrogated
since October 1991. In the 1990s, pulp and paper industrial units in the State obtained 78 to 82% of the raw material
requirement from non-government sources. From 1997-98 to 2001-02 there was no agreement signed between APFD
and ITC-PSPD. Currently, APFD has agreed to an ad hoc supply of 25,917 mt of bamboo between 29 November 2002
and 31 March 2004. At this juncture, the company decided to promote pulp wood tree plantations on farm lands after
realizing that supplies from government forests are going to decline in the future, and acquiring plantations would be
difficult due to land ceiling laws and restrictions on leasing of forest lands.
Beginning 1982, the company distributed a total 4.67 million free Eucalyptus seedlings to farmers but discontinued
in 1986 due to poor response. From 1987 to 1995 the company started a bank loan scheme supported by NABARD to
promote farm forestry. A total of 7,441 ha were established on holdings of 6,185 farmers in 1,138 villages in the districts
of Khammam, Krishna, West Godavari, Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Nalgonda and Warangal. The farmers were given
quality planting stock (of seed route), technical extension services and buy-back guarantees at minimum support price
or the market price whichever is higher. However, the acreage achieved was far below the set targets and the
productivity of 6 to 10 cum/ha/yr was too low to be attractive to farmers as a land use option.
The overall experience with the scheme was not very satisfactory as (i) farmers harvested their plantations earlier
than the stipulated rotation period and (ii) the company paid the farmers only after first settling with the bank loans.
Since the proceeds proved insufficient even after waiving the company’s service charge of Rs.70 per mt the scheme
was accordingly discontinued after 1995.
The need for research to improve the quality of pulpwood plantations and their productivity was realized by the
company and it launched a tree improvement programme. Presently, the company is concentrating on research to
develop better clones and on commercial sale of clonal saplings to the farmers. The research and development
programme of the company started in 1989. Based on performance of individual clones in the field trials, promising, fast
growing and disease-resistant clones of Eucalyptus tereticornis and E.camaldulensis were identified, including 23 sitespecific clones adopted to problematic saline and alkaline soils. 37 of these are categorized as most important
commercial clones based on their productivity and disease resistance capability.
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The company is currently supplying 11 different Eucalyptus clones (called Bhadrachalam clones) on a commercial
basis to farmers and offers a buy-back guarantee at an agreed price. Up to 1999/2000, the company had sold over 7.2
million clonal saplings. And is in the process of implementing a core area development programme within 150 km radius
of the mill to intensively promote tree farms through offering additional incentives to farmers. This should help to reduce
the cost of transportation of raw material.
By the end of 2002, 6372 farmers had participated in the clonal plantation programme and presently about 30%
of the company’s pulpwood requirement is met by clonal tree farms. The company expects 100% supply by 2007 from
35,000 ha of such farms in the core pulpwood area.
The clonal trees are disease resistant, self-pruning and with large clear bole. Survival rate is as high as 95%. The
MAI of Eucalyptus spp ranges between 20 and 58 cum per ha per year with farmers earning a net profit of Rs. 50,000
to Rs. 150,000 per ha from the first cutting after 3 years. As characteristic of coppicing crops, profits increase in
subsequent cuttings due to depreciating costs. Further, when combined with agroforestry practice, additional income is
accrued with the harvest of agricultural crops.
The plantations research unit of the company carries out trials on genetic improvement of the planting stock and
silvicultural/agroforestry practices (e.g. spacing on planting rows, type of inter-crop) to be adopted.
ITC-PSPD is increasingly relying on private tree farmers through bipartite agreements (purchase contracts) and
sells the requisite quantity of clonal saplings to farmers while providing free technical extension service. The farmers in
return sell their pulpwood exclusively to the company at the prevailing market price.
Some of the important aspects of the case which entitles it to be qualified as a success are: voluntary mobilization
of investment for tree farm development; research, technology development and extension support by the wood
processing company; increased productivity of clonal plantations; employment and increased income for local
community; reduction of pressure on natural forest for raw material; and, mutually beneficial collaboration between the
company and the farmers.
RESUME
ITC Ltd, Paperboards and Speciality Paper Division (ITC-PSPD) exploite une usine intégrée de pâte à papier et
papeterie située à Sarapaka dans le district de Khammam de l’Andhra Pradesh. Cette usine a été créée en 1979 et
possède actuellement une capacité installée de 1.000.000 de tm de pâte et 182.500 TM [tonnes métriques] de carton
et papier par an. ITC-PSPD a besoin actuellement d’environ 400.000 TPA [tonnes par an] de matières premières
cellulosiques. Il est prévu que ce volume atteindra 800.000 tpa, du fait de l’augmentation de sa capacité de production
et de sa gamme de produits. L’usine satisfait actuellement à ses besoins de matières premières en provenance de
diverses sources.
ITC-PSPD présente l’intéressante caractéristique de parrainer et de soutenir la participation de petits cultivateurs
qui produisent du bois de trituration à partir de variétés d’arbres génétiquement améliorés à haut rendement.
L’usine a été établie à la suite de l’engagement pris par le gouvernement de l’Andhra Pradesh (GAP) de lui garantir
la majeure partie des matières premières nécessaires en provenance des forêts domaniales. Toutefois, le département
des forêts de l’Andhra Pradesh (DFAP) ne pouvait plus respecter cet engagement après 1986 et, en 1988, dans le souci
de conserver les forêts naturelles, et conformément à la politique forestière nationale, il a été mis fin à la “coupe rase”
des forêts. En 1989, une loi a été passée dans l’Etat d’Andhra Pradesh, fixant les prix de vente des produits forestiers.
Cette loi fixait le prix de vente des matières premières fournies de sources gouvernementales aux industries de la filière
bois, selon une procédure définie, à savoir que le prix de vente du bambou et du bois mélangé serait arrêté en fonction
du coût de production, sans toutefois être inférieur à la valeur marchande du produit au moment de la livraison.
L’application effective de cette loi a entraîné, dès octobre 1991, l’abrogation de tous les arrangements existants
concernant les fournitures de matières premières. Dans les années 90, les industries de la pâte et du papier de l’Etat
ont obtenu, de sources non gouvernementales, 78 à 82% des matières premières dont elles avaient besoin. De 199798 à 2001-02, il n’existait aucun accord signé entre le DFAP et ITC-PSPD. Actuellement, le DFAP est convenu de
fournir, à titre ponctuel, 25.917 tm de bambou entre le 29 novembre 2002 et le 31 mars 2004. Dans ces circonstances,
l’entreprise a décidé de promouvoir des plantations d’arbres produisant du bois de trituration sur des terres agricoles,
s’étant rendu compte que les futurs approvisionnements en provenance des forêts appartenant au gouvernement
allaient diminuer et que l’acquisition de plantations deviendrait difficile à cause des lois et des restrictions quant au
plafond des baux autorisés pour des terres forestières.
Au début de 1982, l’entreprise a distribué gratuitement aux fermiers 4,67 millions de jeunes plants d’Eucalyptus
mais, face à une réponse apathique, elle a dû cesser en 1986. De 1987 à 1995, l’entreprise a conclu un arrangement
de crédits bancaires soutenu par NABARD, en vue de promouvoir la sylviculture dans les fermes. Au total, 7.441 ha
ont été plantés sur les terres de 6.185 fermiers dans 1.138 villages des districts de Khammam, Krishna, Godavari
occidental, Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Nalgonda et Warangal. Les fermiers ont reçu du matériel de reproduction de
bonne qualité (issu de graines) et ont bénéficié de services de vulgarisation technique et de garanties de rachat au prix
minimum de soutien ou au prix du marché, si celui-ci était plus élevé. Cependant, la superficie ainsi cultivée était loin
d’atteindre les cibles prévues et la productivité de 6 à 10 cm3/ha/an était trop basse pour que cette option d’utilisation
des terres intéresse les fermiers.
L’expérience globale de ce programme n’a pas été très satisfaisante parce que i) les fermiers procédaient à la
récolte dans leurs plantations plus tôt que stipulé par la période de rotation ii) l’entreprise ne payait les fermiers qu’après
avoir réglé la question des crédits bancaires. Les recettes s’étant avérées insuffisantes, même après avoir renoncé au
remboursement des frais administratifs de l’entreprise, à savoir Rs.70 par tm, ce programme a également été
abandonné après 1995.
Ayant compris qu’il fallait entreprendre des recherches pour améliorer la qualité et la productivité des plantations
de ligniculture axées sur l’industrie papetière, l’entreprise a lancé un programme d’amélioration des arbres.
Actuellement, l’entreprise se concentre sur la recherche en vue de développer de meilleurs clones et de vendre aux
fermiers des gaules clonées. Le programme de recherche-développement de l’entreprise a débuté en 1989. Sur la base
de la performance individuelle des clones, lors d’essais sur le terrain, il a été possible d’identifier des clones
d’Eucalyptus tereticornis et d’E.camaldulensis, prometteurs, à croissance rapide et résistants aux maladies, y compris
23 clones adaptés à des sites particuliers tels que les sols problématiques salins et alcalins. Trente-sept de ces clones
entrent dans la catégorie des clones les plus importants du fait de leur productivité et de leur résistance aux maladies.
L’entreprise vend actuellement aux fermiers 11 différents clones d’Eucalyptus (dénommés clones Bhadrachalam)
et leur offre une garantie de rachat à un prix convenu. Jusqu’en 1999/2000, l’entreprise avait vendu plus de 7,2 millions
de gaules clonées. En outre, elle a entrepris l’exécution d’un programme de base de développement sectoriel dans un
rayon de 150 km de l’usine, en vue de promouvoir intensivement la culture des arbres en offrant aux fermiers des
incitations supplémentaires. Ceux-ci devraient contribuer à réduire le coût du transport des matières premières.
Vers la fin de 2002, 6372 fermiers avaient participé au programme de plantations clonales et, de nos jours, environ
30% du bois de trituration dont l’entreprise a besoin provient des fermes d’arbres clonés. L’entreprise s’attend à ce
qu’en 2007 les fermes de ligniculture établies sur 35.000 ha de ce secteur de base lui fourniront 100% du bois de
trituration dont elle besoin.
Les arbres clonés sont résistants aux maladies, leur élagage est naturel et ils présentent un grand fût lisse. Le
taux de survie atteint jusqu’à 95%. L’accroissement annuel moyen des espèces d’Eucalyptus se situe entre 20 et 58
cm3/ha/an, permettant aux fermiers de faire un bénéfice net de Rs. 50.000 à Rs. 150.000 par ha [3260 $] lors de la
première coupe après 3 ans. Les récoltes en taillis sont caractérisées par une augmentation des bénéfices lors des
coupes suivantes, à cause de coûts moins importants. De plus, si l’agroforesterie est pratiquée en parallèle, les récoltes
agricoles permettent d’obtenir des revenus supplémentaires.
L’unité de l’entreprise chargée de recherches sur les plantations effectue des tests d’amélioration génétique du
matériel de plantation et des recherches sur les pratiques en matière de sylviculture/agroforesterie à adopter (par ex.
espacement des lignes, types de culture intercalaire).
ITC-PSPD compte de plus en plus sur les agriculteurs privés qui cultivent les arbres, conclut avec eux des accords
bipartites (contrats d’achat) et leur vend les quantités requises de gaules clonées, tout en fournissant gratuitement un
service de vulgarisation technique. En contrepartie, les fermiers vendent leur bois de trituration en exclusivité à
l’entreprise au prix du marché en vigueur.
Certains des aspects importants de ce cas, qui permettent de le considérer comme une réussite, sont les suivants:
mobilisation volontaire d’investissement pour le développement de fermes de ligniculture; recherche, développement
technologique et appui de vulgarisation par l’entreprise de transformation du bois; plus grande productivité des
plantations clonales; emplois et revenus accrus pour la communauté locale; réduction des pressions qui pèsent sur la
forêt naturelle pour en extraire les matières premières; et collaboration mutuellement avantageuse entre l’entreprise et
les fermiers.
RESUMEN
La empresa ITC Ltd. Paperboards and Specialty Papers Division (ITC-PSPD) administra una planta industrial de pulpa
y papel situada en Sarapaka, en el distrito de Khammam del estado de Andhra Pradesh. Esta planta, creada en 1979,
actualmente tiene una capacidad instalada de 1.000.000 tm (toneladas métricas) de pulpa y 182.500 tm de cartón y
papel al año. La demanda actual de materia prima celulósica de ITC-PSPD es de alrededor de 400.000 TPA (toneladas
por año), que se calcula que aumentarán a 800.000 TPA con el incremento previsto en su capacidad de producción y
su gama de productos. La demanda de materia prima de la planta actualmente se abastece a través de diversas
fuentes.
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Una característica interesante de ITC-PSPD es el patrocinio y la iniciativa de la empresa para fomentar la
participación de los pequeños agricultores en la producción de madera para pulpa a partir de variedades de especies
genéticamente mejoradas y de alto rendimiento.
La planta industrial se estableció en base al compromiso del Gobierno de Andhra Pradesh para abastecer la
mayor parte de la materia prima necesaria a partir de los bosques estatales. Sin embargo, el Departamento Forestal
de Andhra Pradesh (Andhra Pradesh Forest Department – APFD) no pudo cumplir con este compromiso después de
1986 y en 1988 se prohibió la “tala rasa” de bosques con el fin de conservar los bosques naturales conforme a la
Política Forestal Nacional. En 1989, se promulgó la Ley de Productos Forestales de Andhra Pradesh (de fijación de
precios de venta). Esta legislación dispone la fijación del precio de venta de las materias primas extraídas de fuentes
gubernamentales para las industrias madereras, siguiendo un procedimiento definido que determina que el precio de
venta del bambú y las maderas mixtas debe fijarse en base al costo de producción, pero no puede ser inferior al valor
de mercado del producto en el momento del suministro. Con la aplicación efectiva de esta legislación, se derogaron
todos los acuerdos existentes para el suministro de materia prima desde octubre de 1991. En los años noventa, las
industrias de pulpa y papel del Estado obtenían del 70 al 82% de sus materias primas de fuentes no gubernamentales.
De 1997-98 a 2001-02, no se suscribió ningún acuerdo entre el APFD y la empresa ITC-PSPD. Actualmente, el APFD
ha acordado abastecer un total de 25.917 tm de bambú entre el 29 de noviembre de 2002 y el 31 de marzo de 2004.
En estas circunstancias, teniendo en cuenta que los suministros de los bosques estatales disminuirían en el futuro y
que la adquisición de plantaciones sería difícil debido a las leyes y restricciones que limitan el arrendamiento de tierras
forestales, la empresa decidió fomentar el cultivo de árboles de madera para pulpa en fincas privadas.
A partir de 1982, ITC-PSPD distribuyó gratuitamente un total de 4,67 millones de plántulas de eucalipto, pero
interrumpió la distribución en 1986 debido a la deficiente respuesta recibida de los agricultores. Entre 1987 y 1995, la
empresa comenzó un sistema de créditos bancarios respaldado por NABARD para promover el desarrollo de fincas
forestales. En total, se establecieron 7.441 ha en fincas de 6.185 agricultores pertenecientes a 1.138 comunidades en
los distritos de Khammam, Krishna, Godavari Occidental, Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Nalgonda y Warangal. Los
agricultores recibieron material de plantación de calidad (procedente de semillas), servicios de asesoramiento técnico
y garantías de recompra a un precio mínimo de apoyo o al precio del mercado en caso de que fuese más elevado. Sin
embargo, la superficie establecida estuvo muy por debajo de las metas fijadas y la productividad de 6 a 10 m3/ha/año
era demasiado baja para atraer el interés de los agricultores como una opción de uso de la tierra.
La experiencia general con este sistema no fue muy satisfactoria por dos razones: (i) los agricultores realizaron la
cosecha de sus plantaciones antes del turno de rotación estipulado; y (ii) la empresa pagó a los agricultores sólo
después de haber acordado los créditos bancarios. Dado que las ganancias obtenidas no fueron suficientes, incluso
después de haber renunciado la empresa al cobro de su tarifa administrativa de Rs.70 por tm, el sistema se
descontinuó a partir de 1995.
Consciente de la necesidad de realizar trabajos de investigación para mejorar la calidad de las plantaciones de
madera para pulpa y su productividad, la empresa lanzó un programa de mejoramiento de árboles. Actualmente, se
concentra en la investigación orientada a desarrollar mejores clones y en la venta comercial de plántulas clonales a los
agricultores. El programa de investigación y desarrollo de la empresa se inició en 1989. Sobre la base del rendimiento
de los distintos clones en los ensayos realizados en el terreno, se identificaron aquéllos con mayor potencial, de rápido
crecimiento y resistentes a enfermedades procedentes de las especies Eucalyptus tereticornis y E. camaldulensis,
inclusive 23 clones adaptados a sitios específicos con suelos salinos y alcalinos problemáticos. Treinta y siete de estos
clones se clasificaron como de mayor potencial comercial por su capacidad productiva y su resistencia a las
enfermedades.
Actualmente, la empresa le vende a los agricultores 11 tipos diferentes de clones de eucalipto (denominados
clones “Bhadrachalam”) y les ofrece una garantía de recompra a un precio acordado. Hasta 1999/2000, la empresa
había vendido más de 7,2 millones de plántulas clonales. Y en la actualidad está aplicando un programa de desarrollo
de un área núcleo en un radio de 150 km alrededor de su planta industrial para promover intensamente el cultivo de
árboles clonales ofreciendo incentivos adicionales para los agricultores. De este modo, se ayudará a reducir el costo
de transporte de la materia prima.
A fines del año 2002, un total de 6372 agricultores habían participado en el programa de plantaciones clonales y
actualmente alrededor del 30% de la demanda de madera para pulpa de la empresa se abastece con la producción de
las fincas de árboles clonales. Para el año 2007, la empresa espera cubrir el 100% de su demanda a través de las
35.000 ha de fincas de este tipo establecidas en el área núcleo productora de madera para pulpa.
Los árboles clonales son resistentes a las enfermedades, se autopodan naturalmente y tienen un fuste limpio y
de gran tamaño. La tasa de supervivencia asciende al 95%. El incremento medio anual (IMA) de las especies de
eucalipto oscila entre 20 y 58 m3 por hectárea por año y los agricultores obtienen una ganancia neta de Rs.50.000 –
Rs.150.000 por hectárea [$3260] con la primera tala después de tres años. Tal como suele suceder típicamente con
los cultivos de monte bajo, las ganancias aumentan en las talas posteriores debido a la depreciación de costos.
Además, cuando se aplican simultáneamente prácticas agroforestales, se pueden obtener ingresos adicionales con la
cosecha de los cultivos agrícolas.
La unidad de investigación sobre plantaciones de la empresa lleva a cabo ensayos sobre el mejoramiento genético del
material de plantación y prácticas silvícolas/agroforestales adecuadas (p.ej. espaciamiento de líneas de plantación, tipo
de cultivos intercalados, etc.).
ITC-PSPD depende cada vez más del suministro de los agricultores privados mediante acuerdos bipartitos
(contratos de compra) y vende la cantidad requerida de plántulas clonales a los agricultores ofreciéndoles a la vez un
servicio gratuito de asesoramiento técnico. Los agricultores, a cambio, venden la madera para pulpa que producen
exclusivamente a la empresa al precio de mercado vigente.
Algunos de los aspectos importantes de este caso que hacen que la empresa se califique como una experiencia
exitosa de OFS son: la movilización voluntaria de inversiones para el desarrollo de fincas forestales; las actividades de
investigación, desarrollo tecnológico y extensión llevadas a cabo por la empresa de transformación maderera; la mayor
productividad de las plantaciones clonales; la generación de empleo y mayores ingresos para la población local; la
reducción de la presión ejercida sobre el bosque natural para la obtención de materia prima; y la colaboración
mutuamente beneficiosa entre la empresa y los agricultores.
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
The case being discussed here as a private sector success story in SFM is about the efforts of ITC
Bhadrachalam Paperboards Ltd. (recently re-named as ITC Limited, Paperboards and Specialty Papers
Division), to promote farm forestry (woodlot) development for pulpwood production, using high yielding
clonal saplings, thereby supporting employment and income generation as well as ecological restoration in
the rural areas of Andhra Pradesh State in India.
2.0
BACKGROUND
2.1 Profile of ITC Limited
ITC (Indian Tobacco Company) is one of India’s largest private sector companies. It is a multi business
corporation with business segments covering:
• Fast moving consumer goods (leaf tobacco and cigarettes, Lifestyle Retailing, greeting cards
and gifts, branded packaged foods)
• Hotels (ITC Welcome Group chain), tourism and travel.
• Paper boards, specialty papers and packaging
• Agri-business (exports of agricultural products, agro-technology development)
2.2 Information technology
Turnover of ITC Group in 2002-2003 amounted to Rs.110,249 million (about US$2.2 billion), providing direct
employment to about 13,000 people. ITC has its registered office in Kolkata, West Bengal.
The ITC vision is to sustain it’s position as one of India’s most valuable corporations through world
class performance, creating growing value for the Indian Economy and the Company’s stakeholders. It is
ITC’s endeavour to continuously explore opportunities for growth by synergising and blending its multiple
core competencies to create new opportunities of growth.
Accordingly the ITC mission is to enhance the wealth generating capability of the enterprise in a
globalising environment, delivering superior and sustainable stakeholder value. The Company remains
committed to enlarging foreign exchange earnings. Earnings from exports create growing value for the
Indian economy and also serve to benchmark the competitiveness of the Company’s operations with global
standards. The ITC Group’s contribution to foreign exchange earnings over the last decade amounted to
more than US$2 billion, of which over US$1.5 billion was accounted for by agri-exports, a measure of the
Company’s growing contribution to the rural economy. It is significant that during 2001-2002 the Company’s
earnings from agri-exports registered a growth of 28% in dollar terms.
2.3 Paperboards and Specialty Papers Division
The ITC Limited Paperboards and Specialty Papers Division (ITC-PSPD) was originally established as an
ITC Bhadrachalam Paperboards Ltd, a subsidiary Company of ITC Limited, in 1975, with its corporate office
at Secunderabad, and the mill located in Sarapaka Village near Bhadrachalam in Khammam District of
Andhra Pradesh State
Effective 13 March 2002 and operational from 01 April 2002, the ITC Bhadrachalam Paperboards Ltd
was legally amalgamated with the parent company as “Bhadrachalam Paperboards Division”. Early in 2003
its nomenclature was changed to ITC Limited, Paperboards and Specialty Papers Division. ITC-PSPD is
designed and managed as a core-sector, environment and ecology conscious enterprise, one of the
important Divisions of ITC having a turnover of around Rs.642 crores (about US $ 128 million), becoming
instrumental in the development of a backward scheduled tribal area around Bhadrachalam (a temple
town), Khammam District of Andhra Pradesh State. In 2001-2002, ITC-PSPD employed 2,031 people (680
professionals, 824 skilled technicians and 527 unskilled workers), excluding about 500 people employed on
daily wage basis.
Currently, the Executive Vice-President (Manufacturing) is in charge of tree plantation (farm forestry)
activities supported by Deputy General Manager (Plantations) and Deputy General Manager (Plantation R
& D) (both based at village Sarapaka - mill site), assisted by one Deputy Manager, two Assistant Managers,
five Officers, two Deputy Officers, seven Assistant Officers and Junior Managers at the field level. The
process of procurement and transport of wood raw materials is handled by the Chief Manager (Raw
Materials) of the Raw Material Department of ITC-PSPD.
Production during 2001-02 was 210,440 tonnes, at a capacity utilization of 115%, compared to 205,817
tonnes in the previous year at a capacity utilization of 113%. While overall sales, including inter-divisional
sales, increased to 209,030 tonnes from 204,649 tonnes, the sale of value added products grew by nearly
18% to 35,600 tonnes from 30,233 tonnes in 2000-01, thereby resulting in an enriched product mix (ITC
Ltd, 2002).
Currently the company has 4 paper machines under operation. Machines 5 and 6 are going to be
installed, and this will considerably enhance the production and the product range. Present requirement of
cellulose raw material is about 400,000 tpa and it will soon grow to 600,000 tpa and ultimately to 800,000 tpa.
3.0
SITUATION OF FORESTRY IN ANDHRA PRADESH
3.1 Forest Resources
The recorded forest area is 6.38 million ha, which constitutes 23.30% of the geographic area of the State.
Reserved forest constitutes 79.2%, protected forest 19.4% and unclassed forest 1.4%. The actual forest
cover of the state, based on satellite data of November 1998 to January, 1999, is 44,229 sq. km. constituting
16.08% of the geographic area. Dense forest accounts for 24,190 sq. km, open forest 19,642 sq. km and
mangroves 397 sq. km.
Table 1. Forest types and important tree species in Andhra Pradesh
Forest types
Tropical dry deciduous forests
Tropical thorn forests
Tropical moist deciduous forests
Tropical dry ever-green forests
Littoral and Swamp forests
Important species
Tectona grandis, Pierocarpus santalinus, Anogeissus latifolia, Hardwickia binata, Terminalia
chebula, T. tementosa, Chloroxylon swietenia etc.
Acacia catechu, A. leucophloea. Ailanthus excelsa, Azadirachta indica, Albizzia amara etc.
Tectona grandis, Terminalia tomentosa, Plerocarpus marsupium, Adina cordifolia, Salmalia
malabaricum etc.
Manilkara hexandra, Canthium dicoccum, Albizzia amara; Syzgium cumini etc.
Avicennia officinalis, Rhizophora mucronata, Ceriops roxburghiana etc.
The public forests of AP are administered by the Forest Department, except for a small extent, which
is under the Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation. The main silvicultural systems adopted are:
the clear felling system (for raising plantations of light demanding species); simple coppice system (for
production of fuel wood); coppice with reserve system (in under stocked, erodable areas); and the selective
felling system (in areas needing protection).
3.2 Villages with Forests
There are 26,586 villages in the State of which 5,080 have forest as a land use. The area of forest in these
villages is 2.57 million ha. The total population of these villages is 10.67 million, which comprises 21.95%
of the total rural population. The villages having less than 100 ha, between 100-500 ha and more than 500
ha of forest area in each village constitute 35%, 39% and 26% of the total villages, respectively.
3.3 Joint Forest Management
JFM was initiated in the State in 1992. A total of 6,575 Vana Samrakshana Samithies (Forest Protection
Committees), comprising of nearly 1.3 million members, are managing an area of 1.63 million ha. Only
degraded forest areas have been taken under this programme. Individual members of the Committee shall
be entitled to get 50% of the net benefits from the forest produce and the rest 50% will be ploughed back
for the development of the area.
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4.0 FOREST-BASED INDUSTRIES
The most important and sophisticated sub-sector of forest-based industry in terms of both capital
investment and technology is pulp and paper industry.
4.1 Pulp and Paper Mills
Prior to 1975, there were two paper mills, i.e., Sirpur Paper Mills (SPM) established in 1938 and Andhra
Pradesh Paper mills (APPM) established in 1954. Bamboo was supplied by the Forest Department to these
mills under long term agreement. These paper mills, though old, have expanded their production from time
to time. During 1977 and 1978 two more paper mills were set up primarily depending on the Forest
Department for raw material supplies. These are Sree Rayalseema Paper Mills (SRPM) situated in Kurnool
District and ITC Bhadrachalam Paperboards Ltd. (ITC-BPL) situated in Khammam District.
All paper mills had entered into long term agreements with the government for raw material supply. Till
1975, they were using only bamboo. The production of bamboo in the State was not enough to meet their
requirements. Meanwhile paper technology made progress leading to the use of mixed hardwoods with
bamboo, which the mills have adopted.
After considering various aspects, the government had decided to give concession in royalty rate on
bamboo and hardwoods by 50% to the two new paper mills for a period of five years from the date of initial
production. The government had entered into long term agreement with the four paper mills for supply of
bamboo. There was no agreement, as such, except ad hoc agreement on annual basis for supply of
hardwoods. The agreements remained valid till the end of September 1995.
The ongoing agreements with the paper industries for supply of bamboo are for a period of six years.
The selling prices for bamboo increased from Rs.596 per tonne in 1990-91 to Rs.735 per tonne in 1992-93.
4.2 Rise of the Crisis
After 1988, with a view to conserve natural forests and in keeping with the National Forest Policy, clear
felling was ended. Consequently, supply of mixed hardwood to wood based industries was totally
suspended. Furthermore, one-third of the bamboo bearing areas of State has gregariously flowered and
consequently supply of bamboos came down. On the other hand, the wood based industries have
substantially increased their production capacities. Therefore, there is an acute shortage of raw material to
meet the needs of the wood industries.
The dire situation promoted private initiatives and sponsorships of various natures, encouraging rural
land use changes in favour of tree farms and private investment in forestry. Tree planting has also been
facilitated through appropriate changes in legislation controlling removal / transport of wood from private lands.
Eucalyptus, subabul (Lecaena leucocephala) and Casuarina are some important species exempted
from the purview of these rules (as per GoAP order GO-MS 188 dated 10-6-1999 whereby wood of these
species is considered as agricultural produce), so as to protect the tree growers from possible harassment.
Mango, Sissoo, babul, jamun etc., are exempted in the districts where these occur abundantly.
5.0 PROMOTION OF OUTGROWER TREE FARMS
Since the availability of wood and bamboo from government forests has steadily fallen to negligible levels,
and since no land was available at its disposal of the company to raise pulpwood plantations, the avenue
open to the company was to outsource pulpwood production under suitable arrangements, by providing
adequate incentives.
In the early 1980s, ITC-BPL produced seedlings of Eucalypts and Leucaena leucocephala (Subabul)
and distributed to farmers free of cost, as an incentive to plant. Between 1982 and 1986, under social
forestry, 4.67 million seedlings were distributed to farmers for planting on their marginal lands, to cover an
area of about 2,800 ha. The cutting cycle envisaged for the plantation was 7 years. However, the quality
and yield of the plantations were poor, and overall performance was disappointing.
With a view of providing the farmers a comprehensive package of high quality planting stock supplied
free of cost, technical extension services, buy back guarantee at minimum support price or prevalent market
price whichever is higher, and financial assistance through commercial banks with refinance support of
NABARD for raising and maintenance of plantations, a regular Farm Forestry Programme was launched by
the company in 1987 to convert 1,500 ha/yr of marginal lands into productive farm forestry plantations. The
project was formally approved by NABARD.
Between 1987 and 1995, ITC Bhadrachalam promoted farm forestry plantations in 1,138 villages of
Khammam, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Nalgonda and Warangal districts. The company
assisted 6,185 farmers to raise farm forestry plantations over 7,441 ha by planting 17.4 million seedlings on
their marginal lands, thus helping them diversify their agriculture and ensuring optimum returns from
unproductive marginal lands.
Productivity of these plantations, however, was very low (6 to 10 tonnes/ha/annum). This low
productivity was not economical for farmers as an alternative farming option. The programme, in fact, had
met with two main drawbacks. First was that the plantations raised through the seed-route exhibited wide
variation in quality and yield. Secondly, non-adoption of proper package of practices by the farmers led to
poor field establishment and growth of the plants. Thus a need for research was felt and a research unit
was established in July 1989.
The vision of the company as relating to raw material situation is to make it self-reliant in raw material.
The mission was accordingly set to increase pulpwood production with two specific objectives, viz.
development of fast growing disease resistant Eucalyptus, and improvement of the package of practices for
establishment and maintenance of plantations.
In accomplishing its new mission relating to wood raw material, ITC-BPL, in 1989 launched a tree
improvement programme. With an aim to achieve improvements in productivity and profitability of
plantations, the company focused on genetic improvement of planting stock and improvement of “package
of practices”. Major gains in productivity of Eucalyptus plantations have been achieved in a short span of
12-14 years through application of clonal technology for gainful exploitation of existing useful variation.
5.1 Clonal Plantations
These clones, developed in India for the first time, are known as ‘Bhadrachalam’ clones. Productivity of
clones released for commercial plantations, ranges between 20 to 58 cubic meter per hectare per year
under un-irrigated conditions and more under irrigated conditions compared to 6 to 10 cubic meter per
hectare per year productivity of Eucalyptus plantations raised from available seed sources. Felling cycle of
clonal plantations could be reduced by half, from 7 years to 3 or 4 years.
Several intra-specific and inter-specific hybrids of Eucalyptus have been developed through controlled
pollination. Development and deployment of locality specific, high yielding, fast growing and diseaseresistant clones have been followed by rapid adoption and raising of large-scale commercial clonal
eucalyptus plantations. These high yielding, disease resistant clones ensure uniform plantations, with selfprunning, cylindrical trees having large clear role of premium quality wood. Survival percentage of majority
of clonal plantations have been reported to be more than 95%.
5.2 Clonal Technology
Clonal technology primarily envisages taking advantage of the natural variation in tree species for
immediate gains in productivity and quality of produce of new plantations. Important steps for tree
improvement through vegetative propagation and clonal technology involve: selection of Candidate Plus
Trees (CPTs) from existing seed-route plantations with the desirable phenotypic features; cloning of CPTs
through rooting of the juvenile cuttings under controlled environment and field testing of the clones for
selection of genetically superior, fast growing and disease resistant clones.
By importing seeds from CSIRO, Australia in the years 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1995 provenance trials
were raised by the Research Team of ITC-BPL. CPTs of Eucalyptus tereticornis Smith. and E.
camaldulensis Dehnh. were mainly selected from the Government and private farm-forestry plantations.
Selected plus trees were propagated vegetatively from coppice cuttings in mist chamber. Root trainer
technology was adopted for production of plants. The successful ramets were planted in Gene Banks known
as Clonal Multiplication Areas (CMA) at an espacement of 1 x 1 m. The clonal testing trail areas (CTA) were
planted at 3 x 2 m spacing in RBD with 3 replications. Promising clones were shortlisted from CTA’s for
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growth, disease resistance and pulp and paper qualities. Clonal seed Orchards (CSO) adopting the
permutated neighborhood design were established. Clonal demonstration plots were raised under
extension scheme. Inter and Intra-specific hybridization was carried out between selected best clones and
other species of Eucalyptus. Half and full-sib progeny trials were laid out. Promising hybrids were cloned
and planted in multilocational trials. Genotype x Site interaction studies for various clones were carried out
on normal and refractory sites. A gene repository is also established for conserving various types of clones.
5.3 Selection of Promising Clones
At the beginning of the programme, the main handicap faced was non-availability of wide genetic base for
improvement of Eucalyptus. Therefore, “breed the best with the available best” strategy was followed.
The selection of the most desirable tree with characters such as straightness of stem, annual growth
rate, disease resistance, crown structure, wood density, fiber morphology, cellulose/lignin balance, bark to
solid wood under bark relationships etc were considered. Trees were selected from APFDC plantations and
farmers plantations. Starting with cloning of 65 numbers of CPTs during 1989, more than 650 CPTs and 300
full sib CPTs have been selected from a base population of eight different Eucalyptus species and 11
different provenances and cloned, by now.
Nearly, 150 trial plots were established in area of 30 ha since 1989 in various soil types for
multilocational trials. Clones were evaluated from CTAs for comparative genetic superiority and G x E
interactions. Based on the performance of individual clones in field trials, 97 promising fast growing and
disease resistant clones of Eucalyptus tereticornis and E. Camaldulensis (45 commercial clones and 52
reserve clones) were identified, including 29 site specific clones adapted to problematic saline and alkaline
soils; 37 of them are categorized as most important commercial clones based on their productivity and
disease resistance capability. Out of 86 promising clones qualified so far, 54 (63%) have come from
provenance seeds source obtained from CSIRO, Australia and 32 (37%) from local Mysore gum. In the
beginning of the programme, clones were planted without due regard to site. After a gap of 3 to 4 years, it
was discovered that some clones are doing well (and some are not) in a given site. This was the biggest
challenge faced by the research team i.e. matching of clones to specific sites.
Table 2. Suitability of commercial clones of different types of soil
Sl. No.
Type of Soil
Adaptable Clones
1
2
3
4
Alluvial
Black Alkaline
Black
Red
5
6
Red Sandy
Sandy
1,3,6,7,10,27,105,115,122,130,266,274,284,286,288,292,316
1,10,27,71,83,99,105,130,271,285,316,405,411,412,413,470,526
1,3,7,10,27,71,72,83,99,105,122,266,271,272,285,290,316,405,411,412,413,417,439,526
1,3,6,7,10,27,71,72,99,105,122,130,158,159,223,266,272,274,284,285,286,288,290,292,315,316,319,
405,411,412,413,417,469,470,499,526
3,6,7,71,105,122,266,288,316
3,6,7,10,288
For large-scale commercial production of plants, the gene bank of promising clones has been
established in 26 ha with nearly 0.2 million ramets. The clones were planted in blocks at closer spacing of
1 x 1 m. Gene banks are coppiced at 2 years age for obtaining the propagule for multiplication.
Clonal seed orchards (CSO) with best “Bhadrachalam” clones covering an area of 0.71 ha have been
planted in two plots for production of genetically improved seed. Yearly, 5 to 10 kgs of improved seed is
being collected and distributed to growers. Fresh CPTs are now being selected from the CSO seed-source
plantations.
5.4 Hyrbidization
For developing Eucalyptus for future, hybridization programme was initiated by ITC-BPL in 1994. A breeding
orchard was set-up with cleft grafted plants of E.tereticornis, E.camaldulensis, E.alba, E.urophylla and
E.grandis. Intra and inter-specific hybrids have been developed through controlled pollination between
selected best ‘Bhadrachalam’ clones and have been cloned for field trials.
Inter-specific hybridization was attempted to combine desirable complementary attributes of promising
clones and eliminate defects, keeping in view the customers view point viz. high yields (volumetric
productivity), felling cycle of 3 to 5 years (economic rotation), adaptability to sites, superior wood quality and
uniformity of raw material. The clones with well-defined traits i.e. clear bole, high productivity, adaptability
to refractory sites, disease resistance, pulp/paper quality are included in the breeding programme.
5.5 Improvement for Pulp and Paper Quality
As soon as the CPT is selected, it was first tested for proximate chemical analysis and strength properties.
A few clones have given 49% screened yield compared to 45% from seed-route plantations. From the last
two years, much emphasis is laid on improving the fiber quality by hybridizing clones with best fiber
properties. The best fiber for papermaking is derived from species like Eucalyptus globulus, E.grandis,
E.deglupta, E.urophylla etc., apart from their high growth potential. Therefore, a few high yielding
“Bhadrachalam” clones are now being hybridized with the above species to achieve twin objectives of
improving fiber properties and induce drought resistance so that new hybrids developed are adaptable to
sub-tropical agro-climatic conditions.
5.6
Other Related Research Activities
• Cost effective mist propagation chambers, growing frames and root trainers, and transport rigs
for long distance bulk transportation have been indigenously developed.
• Basic research to induce early flowering and pollen handling, and poison food techniques to
control diseases and pests in nurseries is going on.
• Research is in progress for the development of genetically superior clones of Casuarina. Of the
175 CPTs successfully cloned, 10 clones with a productivity range of 8.6 to 13.9
cum/hectare/year have been selected for supply of clonal planting stock to farmers.
• Experimental field trials are also underway in five locations around Bhadrachalam to create and
demonstrate sustainable agro-forestry models. This is being done in collaboration with Central
Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture.
6.0 OUTREACH TO THE FARMERS
Clonal planting stock of the most promising ‘Bhadrachalam’ clones was released to farmers from 1992
onwards. The current production level of clonal planting stock is 4 million saplings. Company raised clonal
demonstration plots on 24 hectares.
6.1 Area under Eucalyptus Clonal Plantations
The Company distributed more than 14 million clonal saplings to growers from 1992 to 2002. More than
8,000 ha of clonal plantations have emerged over a period of 8 years under farm forestry programme of the
Company alone. Along with 2,000 ha in second rotation coppice plantation it totals to 10,000 ha. In addition,
8,000 ha of plantations have been raised by AP Forest Development Corporation. The ‘Bhadrachalam’
clones have been planted all over India by Forest Departments / Corporations and other paper mills and
farmers, over 7,000 ha. Therefore, the All India figure of Eucalyptus clonal plantations today is around
25,000 ha. By company-promoted farm forestry plantations alone, an asset worth Rs.1,000 million has been
created by now (Table 3). By clonal farm forestry activity nearly 40,000 jobs are also created, in production
of planting material, planting and maintenance, logging and transport.
The company arranges distribution of planting stock at central locations, and at farm sites on
recovering transporatation cost. A uniform selling price is collected, upfront, from all clients, including the
farmers, Forest Department and Forest Development Coporations of various states for the supply of clonal
planting stock.
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Table 3. Asset creation through farm forestry plantations
Year
Plants sold
Equivalent
area (ha)
1992-93
1993-94
1994-95
1995-96
1996-97
1997-98
1998-99
1999-00
2000-01
2001-02
27,028
61,670
233,076
415,435
1,020,000
1,293,069
2,073,000
2,281,011
2,626,582
3,348,000
16.6
39.5
161.4
239.4
790.5
759.2
1,204.0
1,354.7
1,578.7
2,009.6
Total
13,378,871
8,153.62
Coppice crop
(ha)
Total area
(ha)
Asset/ creation
(Rs. Million)
16.6
39.5
161.44
239.43
790.5
759.16
16.6
39.5
161.44
239.43
807.1
798.66
1,365.44
1,594.14
2,369.18
2,768.76
1.7
4.0
16.1
23.9
80.7
79.9
136.5
159.4
236.9
276.9
2,006.63
10,160.25
1,016.0
6.2 Farmer Participation
At the end of 2002, the number of farmers participating in the clonal plantation programme of ITC-PSPD
was 6,372, with the number likely to steadily increase. In 2002, the number of new participants (who newly
joined the programme) was 3,120 compared to the cumulative number of 3,252 upto the end of 2001.
While the average size of clonal tree farms is 1.6 ha, 42% of the farmers have only less than one ha
under clonal pulpwood plantations. Largest percentage of clonal tree farms (49.9%) is under the size class
of 1 to 5 ha; 5.2% falls under the size class of 5 to 10 ha; 2.5% under the class of 10 to 50 ha and only 0.2%
has farm size of over 50 ha. This is likely to change in either direction, depending on dynamic changes in
land use.
Kind of participation of farmers for the land use
Small farmers participating in the clonal tree farm programme are utilizing 25 to 50% on the their total
farmland for raising pulpwood crop. In respect of middle and upper middle class farmers, the percentage is
a 50 to 75; whereas the few large farmers in the programme has set apart bulk of their land (90% and up)
for clonal tree farm because it involves only limited maintenance (labour input), compared to agricultural
crops.
The tree farmers have formed an association to address common problems and concerns. It is still in
a nascent stage. There is, however, scope for strengthening the association to be capable of addressing
technical, legal, economic and marketing issues, affecting its members.
6.3 Area Available for Harvest
The area of clonal plantations annually available for pulpwood harvest till recently was small, little over 100
ha., because only smaller areas and fewer farmers were involved in raising clonal tree farms in the initial
stages. Currently the annual cutting area is over 500 ha. It is expected that the area available for harvest
on a sustainable basis will dramatically increase in the next two or three years.
By the year 2001-2002 only around 10% of the company’s pulpwood needs were being met by supplies
from clonal tree farms. The balance was met by wood from other private sources and bamboo obtained from
Government forests. From the year 2003 onwards, it is expected that 30% of the pulpwood requirement of
the company can be met by clonal tree farms,with more of them getting mature for harvest.
Since larger areas are now being converted into clonal tree farms, every year, particularly in the core
area, the company is expected to obtain increased supplies of pulpwood by the year 2006-2007, adequate
enough to meet its entire demand (i.e., to achieve demand / supply balance). This will require 35,000 ha of
clonal plantations, involving some 20,000 farmers. The distance to the tree farms serving currently as raw
material sources, from the mill in Sarapaka ranges from a minimum of 4 km to a maximum of 650 km.
6.4 The Core Area Concept
The tree farms or farm forestry plantations have helped to bridge the gap between demand and availability
of pulpwood. However, these plantations do not represent a captive resource for providing assured
supplies, as farmers are free to sell their produce to anyone, inspite of the bipartite agreement. It is,
therefore, necessary to create a competitive advantage in favour of the company. The strategy of choice in
this regard is to maximize the area of plantations closest to the mill, surrounding Sarapaka. This area is
defined as those falling within 150 km (aerial distance) of radius around the mill site. Such area includes
several Mandals in the districts of Khammam, Krishna and West Godawari. Non-core areas (outside core
areas) which is still considered within economic reach from the mill includes tree farms in 8 districts – i.e,
Khammam, Guntur, Nalgonda, Krishna, West Godavari, Prakasam, Nellore and the area around
Hyderabad.
The extent of clonal tree farm area falling under core and non-core areas is as follows:
core area:
outside core area:
Total:
8,500 ha
8,200 ha
16,700 ha
6.5 Eco-Restoration and Tribal Self-Reliance
The social forestry programme supported by the company (Eco-Restoration and Tribal Self-reliance for
Sustainable Livelihoods through Social Forestry) meant for the benefit of tribal people in a total of 300
villages, falling in 9 Mandals of Khamman District is operational since 2001, and will be completed in the
year 2005. The project is being implemented by an NGO. The prime objective of the project is to promote
multi-species social forestry (forest plantations along with intercrops) on private wastelands, by providing
long-term loans to resource poor households. Three different types (species) of trees will be planted in the
field, one on the field-bunds and five in homestead lands. From 2001-02 planted 4.5 million seedlings and
saplings covering 1730 hectares and helping more than 2500 poor tribal households.
6.6
Capital Asset Created
The valuve of asset created in the form of clonal tree farms upto 2002 has been estimated to be over
Rs. 1,016 million. The asset is expected to increase by 3 to 4 times in the next few years. In order to achieve
that target, the company is currently spending about Rs. 12 million, per year, which is miniscule compared
to the annual expenditure budget of the company.
6.7
The package of Practices
a. Outlook of the Participants
The participants in the programme mainly are farmers, absentee landlords, businessmen and other rural
“entrepreneurs” who seek opportunities for diversification of land use to achieve sustainable land
management through agricultural activity. They are generally resourceful and enterprising, capable of
effectively managing land use activities.
b. Production of Clonal Saplings
For successful clonal forestry programme a good nursery is a pre-requisite. A modern clonal nursery with
an annual production capacity of 4 million Eucalyptus ramets was established at the company premises in
Sarapaka with indigenous technological know-how. Vegetative propagation protocols were standardized to
ensure perfect root system, east transporatation and high survival rate; and root trainer technology was
adopted for mass multiplication. Presently, the infrastructure for clonal propagation includes 29 mist
chambers covering an area of 2900 m2, hardening area of 900 m2 and 25,000 m2 for open nursery.
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c. Handling of Clonal Planting Stock
The age of the planting stock has to be around 6 months (including hardening for 3 months) from the date
of setting of cuttings in the mist chamber. Proper irrigation of saplings while in transit and after arrival at the
planting site is to be ensured. One hour before transplanting of saplings proper irrigation is essential. A
gentle tapping of the tubet with wet vermiculite will facilitate easy removal of the sapling from the tubet
without breaking the compact mass of vermiculite with roots. In case of delayed transplanting operation the
planting stock have to be kept in open field on stands at a spacing of 20 to 30 cms apart for getting proper
sunlight and aeration. If the planting stock is in tubets, these tubets can be placed in clean sand beds at a
spacing of 10 x 10 cms. Twice in a day irrigation is to be carried out with the help of rose cans. Transplanting
has to be carried out as soon as possible to avoid roots striking into the ground and disease occurrence.
7.0
IMPROVED SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
7.1 Site Selection
Mandatory study of soil profiles, recommended best soils - pH less than 8.5 and electrical conductivity less
than 2 millimhos/cm, 2m deep neutral soils. Avoid water logged and highly eroded sites.
7.2 Site preparation
Recommended deep ploughing and criss-cross harrowing by mechanical means.
7.3 Pitting
Size of the pit - 30cm x 30 cm x 45cm. The dug out soil has to be treated with chloropyriphos @ 3 ml per
litre of water.
7.4 Espacement
Eucalyptus: 3m x 1.5 m; 3m x 2m and rarely 3m x 3m. To capture more sunlight the 3m wide spacing should
be in the east-west direction and 2 m spacing in the north-south direction in case of plane areas. On slopes
and undulating terrain, 3m rows should be along the contours.
Subabul: 1.25m x 1.25m, 2m x 1m, 3m x 0.75m or 2.5 x 0.75m
7.5 Transplanting
Beginning of the monsoon rains of South-west / North-east monsoons – around July & September / October.
On need basis pot watering is to be carried out for 7 to 10 days. In normal circumstances Phorate at the
rate of 2 gms per pit should be applied at the time of planting to protect the saplings / seedlings from root
grub. 15 days after planting, the saplings should be treated with anti-termite chemical (Chloropyriphos) a
concentration of 2 to 3 ml per litre of water.
7.6 Weed management
Perfect & timely weed management is recommended. At least 3 weedings, in 50 cm radius around the
plants is required every year, during the first three years. Water conservation measures will help to enhance
the growth.
7.7 Fertilizer Application
Well decomposed FYM (Farm Yard Manure) applied as basal dose and spread properly throughout the field and
incorporated thoroughly into the soil well before planting. One month after planting, NPK in the form of complex
at 20-25 gms per plant applied by pocketing method (minimum 6” away from the plant and at 4” depth). Proper
moisture should be ensured through irrigation and ploughing whenever fertilizer is applied. Subsequently every
year NPK should be applied in two split doses during the rainy season with a gap of 1 to 11/2 months. The
combination of fertilizers and the schedule of application will change depending on site conditions.
7.8 Irrigation
Timely and on-need-basis provision of irrigation to the growing plants will boost up the growth by 1.5 to 2
times to the normal.
7.9 Ploughing
Soil working by means of ploughing in between the planted rows is very essential which facilitates proper
aeration and conservation of moisture. These conditions are essential for the luxuriant growth of the
saplings. Deep ploughing in either direction leaving 20-30 cms space on either side of the plants followed
by harrowing twice a year is essential.
7.10 Protection of Measures
Protection from fire, grazing and biotic interference, natural calamities, mechanical damages, pests &
diseases and improper application of phyto-toxic chemicals to ensure success of the plantations.
7.11 Non-Pruning
‘Bhadrachalam’ clones are self-pruning in nature, therefore, it is not necessary. If any plant is severely
damaged because of physical injuries or due to wind damage, it should be coppiced back 5 cms above
ground level.
7.12 Monitoring of Plantations
A sample of 25 to 100 trees are to be measured in the standing population to assess the survival and
growth rates. This practice ensures proper accountability of the participating individual or agency.
7.13 Maintenance
Plantation maintenance activities including ploughing, weeding, fertilizer application and protection
measures (also irrigation wherever applicable) need to continue during the entire span of life of the clonal
tree farm.
8.0
GROWTH AND YIELDS
Table 4. Performance of Eucalyptus clonal plantations on different soils
MAI (Cum)
Type of soil
Alluvial
Black cotton
Black
Red
Red Sandy
Sandy
Remarks
Maximum Minimum
35.41
41.93
47.8
57.37
40.54
50.72
12.08
15.61
15.04
16.70
10.23
18.64
Yield depends on the farmer following the package of practices suggested by the Company
-do-do-do-do-d0-
Table 5. Size of tree farm holdings and MAI achieved
MAI (Cum)
Size of Plantation
Less than 1 haBlack cotton
1 ha to 5 ha
5 ha. to 10 ha.
10 ha. to 50 ha
Above 50 ha.
Maximum Minimum
16.70
18.64
10.23
12.08
-
57.37
49.38
39.65
.33.71
-
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Table 6. Performance of clonal plantations reflecting levels of management practices
Area of Plantations (Percentage)
Type of Soil
Alluvial
Black cotton
Black
Red
Red Sandy
Sandy
Poor
Normal
Excellent
11%
11%
9%
10%
11%
9%
22%
18%
18%
15%
23%
23%
67%
71%
73%
75%
67%
69%
Table 7. Standard performance indicators of Eucalyptus clonal plantations
MAI (Cum/ha/yr)
Age of plantation (years)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Poor
Normal
Excellent
<8
<10
<12
<15
<18
<20
<22
8 to 10
10 to 12
12 to 15
15 to 18
18 to 20
20 to 22
22 to 24
>10
>12
>15
>18
>20
>22
>24
9.0 CUTTING CYCLE AND YIELD
The Eucalyptus clonal tree farms are being managed under simple coppice system. The number of coppice
cutting cycles between plantation rotations is still not been finalized. While 4 to 5 coppice cutting cycles are
considered as realistic, the ITC-PSPD researchers are confident that the yield will remain undiminished for
3 cycles (Table 8).
Table 8. Yield expected in coppice cuttings
Cutting cycles (within a planting rotation)
First ( 5 years)
Second (10 years)
Third (15 years)
Yield / ha in Tonnes
150 under rain fed condition, 250 under irrigation
- do - do -
Slight increase in production is expected during second and third cutting cycles, because of the
outstanding hybrid vigour of Eucalyptus clones.
10.0 HARVESTING AND COPPICING
In respect of the clonal tree farms, harvesting and coppicing is a single (joint) silvicultural operation. Trees
are felled about 15 cm above the ground level using hand saws, with a slanting cut to avoid water collecting
on the stump. (As larger areas are getting ready for harvest, the need for introducing power chain saws is
being felt; and efforts are now underway). The felled trees are dragged out of the farm area, after removing
the lops and tops, debarked and billeted (into billets of standard one meter length and not less than 5 cm
girth at the thinner end); and stacked ready for transport to the mill. Almost 90% of the standing volume can
be taken out as pulpwood.
The stump puts forth coppice shoots, profusely – varying from 5 to 18, with an average of 12 shoots.
In order to obtain good yield of pulpwood in the second cut, farmers are advised to reduce the number of
shoots to one healthy shoot. However, most farmers trend to keep 2 (or even 3) shoots, allowing for any
natural death. The coppice crop is to be carefully nurtured and maintained as a new crop.
11.0 PULPWOOD PROCUREMENT ARRANGEMENTS
There are three different documents/agreements forming the legal basis for pulpwood procurement by the
Company.
The first is the “Bipartite Agreement” (more in the nature of a memorandum of understanding)
between the company and the individual farmers who are engaged in raising clonal plantations. Under this,
the Company agrees to sell (and the farmers agree to purchase) clonal planting stock of Eucalyptus,
Casuarina and seedlings of Subabul in adequate number and provide requisite expertise to the farmer for
raising industrial plantations, with a view to getting assured supplies of pulpwood on a sustained basis. The
conditions of sale/purchase of the clonal planting stock are set forth in the Agreement. The farmer(s) on their
part agrees to sell pulpwood exclusively to the company (to deliver pulpwood at the mill). The bipartite
agreement also stipulates among others the principles of arriving at the price to be paid for the pulpwood.
The second is the General Purchase Agreement between the company and raw material suppliers who
procures/supply wood raw materials to the company from sources other than the clonal tree farmers (i.e.
from those outside the bipartite agreement). This Agreement specifies the quantity (of wood) involved,
location, species, whether barked or debarked, price to be paid per unit, schedule for supply etc.
The third is the Transport Contract for transporting materials from collection point to the mill, which
specifies the quantity involved, details about the material, period covered and transport charges to be paid,
along with terms and conditions.
Table 9. Share of clonal tree farms in the supply of pulpwood to ITC-PS (Unit: Bone dry tonne)
Year
Total Pulpwood
Procured
Eucalyptus wood
from within AP
Estimate share of wood from
Clonal Tree Farms
81,034
114,265
139,054
202,300
48,745
55,326
67,160
95,000
10,000
25,000
55,000
90,000
1997-1998
1999-2000
2001-2002
2004-2005
(Projected)
Source: ITC.PSPD
12.0 PRICE PAID FOR PULPWOOD
The price paid for pulpwood supply at mill site varies-depending on species, distance from the mill and
whether supplied with bark, or debarked (Table 10).
Table 10. Average procurement rate per BDT for pulpwood at the ITC-PSPD mill yard in Sarapaka (Rupees)
Species
Eucalyptus
Leucaena (subabul) with bark
Leucaena (Subabul) debarked
Casuarina debarked
Mixed species Debarked
1997-1998
2001-2002
2002-2003 (projected)
2,436
1,875
2,143
2,362
1,453
2,565
2,280
2,416
2,699
1,554
2,597
2,350
2,625
3,000
1,560
On an AST basis the current (2002) average rate for supply of pulpwood at the mill site was indicated
to be as follows:
Eucalyptus
Subabul
Subabul
:
:
:
Rs.1,400/-per AST (debarked)
Rs. 1,370/-per AST (with bark)
Rs.1,735/-per AST (debarked)
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Payment of price shall be made by the company to the farmer with in 15 days of weighment of the pulp
wood at the Company’s weigh bridge at Sarapaka”.
The new company policy is to pay a “fair farm gate-price” to the farmer, and to make him free of the
responsibility for transportation. Coppicing as a silvicultural operation is undertaken jointly with harvesting
by the farmer, cost of which will range between Rs 120 and Rs 170.
13.0 COST-BENEFIT COMPARISONS
A quick analysis of cost/return details of a number of individual tree farms indicated that net annual gains
ranged Rs.18,000 to Rs.49,000 per hectare giving an IRR of 14 to 35%.
The clonal plantations so far established (about 10,000 ha) has the potential to sequester 0.5 million
tones of carbon, thus helping in the reduction of Green House Gases (GHG). This 0.5 million tones of
carbon is approximately worth US$ 1.5 million, at the rate of US$ 3 per metric tonne, in terms of carbon
credit. The clonal tree farm programme is being proposed for support under Clean Development Mechanism
(CDM), which will help the farming community to grow more plantations and help in further carbon
sequestration.
14.0 BENEFITS OF CLONAL EUCALYPTUS TREE FARMS
• Contrary to popular belief, plantations of Eucalyptus do not lead to soil erosion or depletion of
underground water.
• As a matter of fact, all tree plantations including Eucalyptus provide major social and ecological
benefits.
• They provide effective green cover, help conservation of precious soil and water resource.
• They help restore marginal / waste lands to sustainable productivity, improve soil fertility through
increased microbial activity, addition of humus and recycling of plant nutrients.
• The tree farms contribute to minimising biotic pressures on natural forests. Each hectare of highly
productive clonal plantation will save 20-40 ha. of natural forests and thus conserve their rich biodiversity.
• They, further contribute to environmental amelioration, prevent soil erosion, minimize surface run-off
of rain water and regulate stream flow.
• Eucalyptus consumes less water per unit of wood produced compared to most other tree species.
14.1 Typical Case Studies
Table 11. Cases of selected farmers who have carried out the first harvest
Details
Farmer 1
Farmer 2
Farmer 3
Farmer 4
Farmer 5
Farmer
Village
Mandal
District
Soil type
Average rainfall (mm)
Area planted (ha)
Clones planted
Year of plantation
Age
Spacing (m)
Survival %
MAI (t/ha)
Total yield obtained (AST)
Yield per acre (T)
Total income obtained (Rs)
Expenditure Incurred (Rs)
Net returns (Rs)
Net returns/ha (Rs)
G.Rama Raju
Pochavaram
Kunavaram
Khammam
Black
1,000
2,20
3,7,128 & 158
October 1996
3 years 4 mo
3x2
87
26.39
193.40
35
280,430
111,690
168,740
76,700
T.V.Chandrasekhar Rao
Venkatareddipeta
Bhadrachalam
Khammam
Black
1,000
2.87
3,6,7,116,128 &130
October 1996
3 Years 4 mo
2.5 X 2.5
99
31.00
294.00
41
426,300
173,000
253,300
88,258
M.Gopalakrishna
Dippakayalapadu
Koyyalagudem
West Godavari
Red Clay
1,465
0.80
6
February 1996
4 years 5 mo
3x1.5
99
33.71
119.20
60
172,840
30,000
142,840
178,550
D.Satyanarayana
TN.Palem
Tanguturu
Prakasam
Black
700
0.60
7,3
September 1995
4 years 11 months
3x2
99
37.26
112.00
74.66
95,760
26,250
69,510
115,850
K.Janakirmaiah
Dippakayalapadu
Koyyalagudem
West Godavari
Red Clay
1,465
0.60
3,7
January 1995
4 years 11 months
3x1.5
98
24.42
119.00
80
172,550
55,050
117,450
95,750
Source: ITC PSPD
Table 12. Pre harvest details of performance of reported cases
Details
Farmer
Village
Mandal
District
Soil type
Average rainfall (mm)
Area planted (ha)
Clones planted
Year of plantation
Age
Spacing (m)
Survival %
MAI (Cum/ha)
Farmer 6
S. Seshaiah
Lingamguntla
Maddipadu
Prakasam
Alluvial
700
4.2
3,10,27
October 1994
4 years 1 mo
3X1.5
94
41.48
Farmer 7
G. R. Reddy
Lingampalli
Podalakuru
Nellore
Red
1,168
1.80
10,3
October 1997
3 years 6 mo
3X1.5
99
28.81
Farmer 8
Farmer 9
V. Ranga Rao
Yenamadala
Prathipadu
Guntur
Red
1,076
0.21
3
1996
4 years 6 mo
3X2
67
42.59
Ch Srilakshmi
Yenamadala
Prathipadu
Guntur
Red
1,076
3.41
105,130
1998
2 years
3X2
94
26.02
Farmer 10
D. Satyanarayana
Moddulagudem
Dammapeta
Khammam
Red Sandy
1,200
2.50
3,27
1998
2 years
3X1.5
96
28.62
Source: ITC PSPD
Table 13. Comparison of two cases which have completed first cycle
Name, Age, Address
Shri.MNV.Prasad, 46 years,
Nimmalagudem Village, Buttaigudem Mandal,
West Godavari Dist.
Cost Details
1st year operations: Rs. 23,995
[Ploughing; planting stock @ Rs.8.50 including
transportation; pitting and planting; fertilizer application;
neem powder,BHC-50 Kgs, FYM eight tractor loads; weed
management (application of Glycil 4 ltrs); irrigation]
Name, Age, Address
Dr.P.V.Ramana, 45 years,
Sundernagar Village
Khammam Dist.
Cost Details
1st year operations: Rs. 970, 000
[Mechanical/manual uprootal & disposal of cashew stumps (100/ha);
ploughing, staking-2.5mx2.5m; mechanical pitting; planting; basal
dressing; anti-termite treatment; fertilizer application; planting stock
@ Rs.4.50 including transport; harrowing – 3 times; weeding –twice;
soil working; shoot cutting -3 times and watch & ward}
2nd year operations: Rs. 4,120
2nd year operation: Rs. 170, 000
[Ploughing (4times ); application of fertilizer and irrigation] [Harrowing criss cross 3 times; fertilizer; shoot cutting; watch & ward]
3rd year operations: Rs. 3,720
[Ploughing 4 times and application of fertilizer]
[Harrowing criss cross three times; fertilizer application; shoot cutting;
watch & ward]
4th year operations: Rs. 3,720
[Ploughing 4 times and application of fertilizer]
Logging and transportation: Rs. 49,400
[Cutting, debarking, loading, transportation @ Rs380/mt]
Logging and transportation: Rs. 1,200,000
[Cutting, debarking, transportation @ Rs 400/ mt]
Total of all expenses(for 0.85 ha) : Rs. 84,955
Total of all expenses (for 40 ha): Rs. 2,712,000
Income: Rs. 188,500
[Sale value of 130 t of pulpwood @ Rs. 1,450 per mt]
Income: Rs. 4,200,000
[Sale value of 3,000 t of pulpwood @ Rs 1,400 per mt]
Net return
Total income minus total cost: Rs. 103,545
Net return per ha (Rs. 103,545/0.85): Rs 121,818
Net return
Total income minus total cost: Rs. 1,488,000
Net income per ha (Rs 1,488,000/40): 37,200
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15.0 RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
ITC-PSPD gives great importance to forestry related R&D. The plantation research wing has a land area of 2
ha, consisting mainly of buildings (330sq.m), green house (940 sq.m), and shade house (200 sq.m). The open
nursery area occupies 3000 sq.m including roads. In addition, an area of 18 ha is utilized as Clonal Multiplication
Area (CMA) and 8 ha as Clonal Testing Area (CTA). These research facilities are well equipped.
Most of the research programmes are need and result oriented. The main thrust is on selection of
superior clones of Eucalyptus. To achieve this, several experiments were carried out to standardize rooting
hormones, rooting media, coppicing of trees, fungal pathology and rejuvenation. Although the stress was on
Eucalyptus, trials are also being carried out on rooting of Casuarina cladodes.
Applied research with respect to silviculture – i.e. genotype and site interaction, spacing, fertilisation
and irrigation trials etc. are conducted regularly in order to continually update extension package. This
package is taken to the farmers through demonstration plots covering 25 ha, massive contact programmes,
motivation of opinion leaders and NGOs, screening of video films and regular inspection visits by the field
staff.
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16.0 EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Extension activities are carried forward by ITC-PSPD through the package of sound practices to be adopted
by the tree farmers. For the poor tribal cultivators, special training programmes on plantation practices are
conducted, involving at least two farmers from each village. Field trials are also carried out in the farmers
field, to take into account the ground realities, and to obtain their whole-hearted co-operation as partners in
development. Farmers participating in research activities are provided incentives in the form of free supply
of planting stock.
Table 14. Expected impacts of longer cutting cycle and irrigation
Irrigated case
Non-irrigated case
Name, age, address
Shri.G.Veerabhadra Rao, 33 years,
Kapavaram Village, Khammam District
Name, age, address
Shri Guglothu Eerya Naik, 35 years, Tekulabanzar Village,
Chandrugonda Mandal, Khammam District
Back ground
Small agricultural family; now employed in ITC-PSPD
Background
Agriculture; big joint family (his brother and family lives with him)
Total Area Planted
5.8 ha with Bhadrachalam clonal saplings
Total Area Planted
2.4 ha with Bhadrachalam clonal saplings
Motivation
Being an employee of ITC-PSPD, motivated by
Plantation Managers and first hand information about
potential benefits.
Motivation
Benefits observed on the other farmers field; less expenditure
compared to other commercial crops; less involvement, less
problems from biotic interference and natural calamities; assured
market at remunerative prices.
Details of the block studied
Month and year of planting: Jan/July 2002
Clones planted: 3 & 7
Area: 5.80 ha
No. of saplings planted: 13,050
Espacement: 3m x 1.5 m
Details of the block studied
Month and the year of planting: August 2001
Clones planted 3,7 & 27
Area: 2.40 ha
No. of saplings planted: 6,000
No. of saplings survived: 5,400
Cost details
1st year operations: Rs. 260,145
[Mechanical uprootal and disposal; fencing with barbed
wire; ploughing; alignment; pitting & planting; anti-termite
treatment; fertilizer application; planting stock cost including
transport; irrigation; water pipes; electricity charges; soil
working; watch & ward @ Rs.1,200/-p.m]
Cost details
1st year operations: Rs. 39, 360
[Ploughing; planting stock @ Rs.4/-per
plant; saplings transportation to field; pitting & planting; anti-termite
(Chloropyriphos) treatment;
fertilizer application]
[Ploughing (3 times); fertilizer; irrigation; Watch&ward]
[Ploughing (3 times), fertilizer application]
[Ploughing (3 times); fertilizer; irrigation; watch & ward]
[Ploughing (3 times); fertilizer application]
[Ploughing (3 times); fertilizer; irrigation; Watch & ward]
[Ploughing (3 times); fertilizer; irrigation; watch & ward]
[Cutting,debarking, loading and transportation
@ Rs 250/-per mt. for 1450 mt]
[Cutting,debarking,loading, and transportation
@ Rs.370/-per mt for 300 mt (i.e yield 125ml/ha)]
Total of all expenses: Rs. 897,445
Total of all expenses : Rs. 179,860
Income: Rs. 2,030,000
[Sale value of 1450 mt of pulpwood @ Rs 1,400 / mt]
Income: Rs. 420,000.00
[Sale value of 300 mt of pulpwood @ Rs 1,400 / mt]
Net return
Total income minus total cost: Rs. 1,132,555
Net return
Total income minus total cost: Rs. 240,140
Net return per ha: (Rs 1,132,555/5.8): Rs. 195,268
Net income per ha: (Rs 240, 140/2.4): Rs. 100,058
17.0 PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
• Expand the area under clonal tree farms to 35,000 ha (from the present extent of about 10,000
ha), involving some 20,000 farmers.
• Bestow concentrated efforts to promote clonal tree farms in the core area, falling with in a
radius of 150 kms, around the pulp and paper mill in Sarapaka, to reduce the transportation
cost. Incentives in that regard will include subsidy to the extent of 50% of the cost of clonal
planting stock, credit facilities, delivery of extension services etc.
• Continue work on tree improvement (including expansion of the species base) and plantation
technology, to improve growth and yield.
• Enhance the capacity of the company to pay competitive prices for pulpwood, by improving the
technology /efficiency of pulpwood utilisation (i.e. improving the conversion ratio).
• Establish standardized C&I for sustainable clonal tree farm management.
18.0 SUCCESS CRITERIA AND CONSTRAINTS
18.1 Accomplishments
The case of clonal pulpwood farms sponsored and promoted by ITC-PSPD qualifies to be considered a
successful private sector initiative for the following reasons and accomplishments:
•. Acceptance of the clonal tree farm concept by farmers of various social strata, as an
environmentally sound and economically profitable landuse option. Area under pulpwood tree
farms is steadily getting expanded. The growing demand for planting stock of ‘Bhadrachalam’
clones is testimony to their popularity and genetic superiority.
• Existence of a strong plantation research unit to continuously upgrade the package of practices
and technology.
• Existence of an effective extension system, supported by competent personnel and steady flow
of feed back from the farmers.
• A silvicultural system which facilitates periodical (and short term) harvest, while ensuring quick
and automatic re-growth (coppice growth).
• Fast growing and high yielding tree farms relieves pressure on natural forests, helps greening
of country side and sequester carbon.
• Support to the sustainable operation of a value-adding and employment providing industry,
having a high multiplier impact.
• The efforts and contributions of ITC-PSPD for promoting forestry research and clonal farm
forestry plantations have been recognized with prestigious awards:
1. Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award-1997 by Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Government of India.
2. Rajiv Gandhi Parti Bhoomi Mitra Award-1994-96, by Ministry of Rural Areas and
Employment, Government of India.
3. The Vantech Industry Rolling Trophy for Research and Development 1995, award by
Confederation of Indian Industry, Southern Region.
4. FAPCCI Award for ‘the Best Technological Development in Research and Development for
1991-92’ by Federation of Andra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
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18.2 Constraints
• Poor and tribal farmers find it difficult to participate in the programme, because of lack of
investment funds, and non-availability of credit under easy terms. Their capacity to manage the
technological inputs to ensure success of the tree farms is also limited. There is need for a
deeper understanding of the socio-economic status of the poor farmers.
• Government support for the clonal tree farm programme, particularly in the form of incentives
such as tax remission and institutions for extension, is inadequate.
• The practice of “piracy” on the part of other pulp and paper manufacturing units is said to be a
problem in some districts like west Godavari and Prakasam, where clonal tree farmers are
offered farm gate price of 50 to 100 rupees more than what ITC-PSPD offers in these districts,
causing a “price war”.
• There are also weaknesses of policy and legal mechanism. No authority exists in India to
register and certify the clones for forest species. This may lead to dilution of improved tree
cultivars due to unscrupulous trade. Mix-up of clones can jeopardize the entire tree
improvement efforts. Similarly, developing legal mechanism for registration of nurseries,
certification of gene banks and clonal planting stock are to be evolved and handled by an
independent and competent agency.
19.0 CONCLUSION
This development of short rotation high yielding woody species for commercial purpose has given three
main advantages to the pulp and paper industry viz., reasonable cost of raw material, reliability and
sustainability of pulpwood supply along with uniformity of the biological raw material. From the socioeconomic points of view, it has resulted in improved and sustained income for the farmers and
environmental amelioration, thus helping to shape the well being of the farming community. The initiative of
ITC-PSPD to forge productive linkages with the farming community is expected to result in vital multiplier
impact on the larger economy of the region.
20.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Author is ever grateful to Mr Pradeep Dhobale, Chief Executive and Mr Sanjay K Singh, Executive Vice
President (Manufacturing) for their invaluable guidance and support for preparing the case study. I am
indeed indebted to Mr Ch Chandrasekharan, country representative, ITTO, who had not only guided me to
prepare this success story and helped me in giving a proper & presentable shape. My sincere thanks to Mr
Piare Lal, Ex-Vice President (Plantations) and Dr H D Kulkarni, Dy General Manager (Plantation R&D), who
played a key role in developing the clonal technology in India. My grateful thanks to Mr K Srinivasa Rao for
extending his secretarial service for completing this success story.
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SUMMARY BY SESSION CHAIRMAN, R. B. McCARTHY
During this session six case studies and a synthesis report on the Asia-Pacific region were presented and
discussed. The six cases from five countries represented the range of situations found in the region, in terms
of the nature and size of operations, technology, institutional arrangements, constraints faced and
involvement of stakeholders - small private tree farms to large logging concessions; simple and labour
intensive to complex and sophisticated technology; production and trade of NWFPs to processing and
marketing of timber products; large private corporations to local co-operatives.
The countries and cases were selected randomly. The meeting noted that the situation in the countries
tends to indicate a pattern in the general forestry trend in the region (uncontrolled timber extraction either
through logging concessions or directly by government agencies; consequent environmental degradation
leading to a scaling down or phasing out of logging activities; illegal loggers taking advantage of the
situation, leading to resource exhaustion; and private farmers taking up high yielding tree plantations or
agro-forestry activities to meet the demand, thus taking forestry to the level of agriculture). The cases, at the
same time indicate how best to accommodate sustainable forestry in the existing situation - e.g. intensive
silviculture as in the case of selective cutting and strip planting by PT. Sari Bumi Kusuma in Indonesia or
clonal tree farms as are being promoted by the ITC-PSPD in India.
The participants expressed the view that the changing social and political context in the countries are
often responsible for the developments leading to the present situation in forestry and for the emergence of
factors prompting unsustainable forestry practices. While these highlight the need for policy reforms
favouring SFM, there are also other factors pressing for changes in forestry related policies such as
globalization of economy and trade; internationalization of environment and environmental protection;
increasing need for investment and private sector participation; increasing participation of stakeholders and
civil society; and more diversified demands of society for forest goods and services.
Discussion on constraints and issues tended to be country and/or situation specific. Some of the
important common issues, which came-up repeatedly included, inter alia, the following:
• Institutional weaknesses including the inadequacies of forest services
• Frequently changing policies, rules, regulations and forest charges causing uncertainty and
investment risks
• Policy not being followed by meaningful action
• Customary and community ownership of forest and related tenurial problems
• Illegal logging and its multiple impacts
• Need for continuous refinement of technology to keep up competitiveness
Added cost of timber certification and lack of a system to ensure “honest environmental pricing”. (A
better image for industry alone cannot result in compliance to certification requirement; the need is to set
and enforce minimum requirements and performance standards by stages, allowing adequate time to
establish SFM).
During the discussions, the participants made several interesting points and observations:
• A number of countries in the region have changed status from a net exporter of wood and wood
products to a net importer, and from a net revenue earner to a net spender. This is mainly due
to the practice of ‘timber-centered’ forestry. There is need to introduce/implement multifunctional forestry.
• For developing an effective forestry sector, there is need to build bridges between forestry
research and forest policy, and to build trust between public and private sector.
• Wood and forest products need to be made available according to quality standards and
consistency required by the market and at affordable prices, comparable to that of its
substitutes.
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• Economic sustainability is crucial to attract private investment into SFM activities. While
appropriate rent-capture is extremely relevant where forests are publicly owned, forestry should
not be considered as a “cash-cow” by the governments, and taxes and charges should be
adopted rationally.
While some participants expressed the fear that forestry may turn out to be a transitory sector, and a
sunset industry, others found hope in the excellence exhibited in the cases presented. It is absolutely
essential, however, to ensure good governance - pro-active, transparent, accountable and capable of
curtailing illegal activities.
SOMMAIRE DU PRÉSIDENT DE LA SÉANCE PAR R. B. McCARTHY
Au cours de cette séance, ont été présentés et analysés six études de cas et un rapport de synthèse sur la
région Asie-Pacifique. Les six cas sélectionnés dans cinq pays représentaient l’éventail des situations que
l’on trouve dans la région, en termes de nature et taille des opérations, de technologie, d’arrangements
institutionnels, de contraintes à surmonter et de participation des acteurs – allant de petites fermes
forestières privées à de grandes concessions d’exploitation; de techniques simples et à forte main-d’oeuvre
à des technologies complexes et sophistiquées; de la production et du commerce des PFNL à la
transformation et la vente des produits ligneux; de grandes entreprises privées à des coopératives locales.
Les pays et les cas ont été choisis au hasard. La réunion a noté que la situation dans les pays tend à
indiquer les tendances générales de foresterie dans la région (prélèvements anarchiques de bois soit par
des concessionmaires d’exploitation soit directement par des organismes gouvernementaux; dégradation
de l’environnement entraînant une réduction ou une élimination progressive des activités d’exploitation;
bûcherons non autorisés tirant profit de la situation, ce qui conduit à l’épuisement des ressources; et
cultivateurs privés créant des plantations d’arbres à haut rendement ou entreprenant des activités
d’agroforesterie pour satisfaire la demande, ramenant ainsi la foresterie dans le domaine de l’agriculture).
Ces cas indiquent à la fois comment au mieux adapter la foresterie durable à la situation existante - par
exemple, sylviculture intensive comme dans le cas de coupes sélectives et de plantation en bandes par Sari
Bumi Kusuma en Indonésie ou les plantations clonales telles qu’elles sont effectuées par ITC-PSPD en
Inde.
Les participants ont exprimé l’avis que l’évolution du contexte social et politique dans les pays entraîne
souvent des développements menant à la situation actuelle en foresterie et à l’émergence de facteurs
incitant à des pratiques forestières non durables. Ces facteurs mettent l’accent sur le besoin de réforme des
politiques en faveur de l’AFD, mais il y a également d’autres facteurs qui appellent des changements dans
les politiques relatives à la foresterie, par exemple, la mondialisation de l’économie et du commerce;
l’internationalisation de l’environnement et de la protection de l’environnement; le besoin croissant
d’investissement et de participation du secteur privé; la participation croissante des parties prenantes et de
la société civile; et les demandes plus diversifiées de la société en matière de biens et services forestiers.
La discussion sur les contraintes et les problèmes a eu tendance à porter sur des sujets spécifiques
des pays et/ou des situations. Certaines points communs importants, qui ont été soulevés à plusieurs
reprises comprennent, entre autres:
• les faiblesses institutionnelles, y compris la médiocrité des services forestiers;
• les fréquents changements de politiques, règles, règlements et redevances forestières causant
des incertitudes et des risques d’investissement;
• le non-suivi des politiques par des mesures décisives;
• les problèmes de propriété coutumière et communautaire des forêts et les problèmes
connexes;
• l’exploitation forestière illégale et ses multiples incidences;
• le besoin d’amélioration continue des techniques pour maintenir la compétitivité;
le coût additionnel de la certification des bois et l’absence de système pour garantir une “évaluation
environnementale honnête”. (Une meilleure image de l’industrie ne peut à elle seule aboutir au respect des
prescriptions de certification; il est nécessaire de définir et d’imposer par étapes des conditions et des
normes de performance minimales, en ménageant suffisamment de temps pour établir l’AFD).
Au cours des discussions, les participants ont formulé plusieurs observations et idées intéressantes:
• Un certain nombre de pays de la région, d’exportateurs nets de produits ligneux sont devenus
des importateurs nets, et dépensent désormais plus qu’ils ne gagnent des échanges. C’est dû
en grande partie à la pratique de la foresterie “axée sur le bois”. Il est nécessaire
d’introduire/mettre en oeuvre une foresterie multifonctionnelle.
• Pour développer un secteur forestier efficace, il y est nécessaire de jeter des ponts entre la
recherche forestière et les politiques forestières, et d’établir la confiance entre les secteurs
public et privé.
• Les produits ligneux et forestiers doivent être mis à disposition conformément aux normes de
qualité et d’uniformité exigées par le marché et à des prix accessibles, comparables à ceux de
leurs produits de substitution.
• La durabilité économique est cruciale pour attirer des investissements privés dans des activités
d’AFD. Si le recouvrement de la plus-value est extrêmement pertinent lorsqu’il s’agit de forêts
de propriété publique, la foresterie ne devrait cependant pas être considérée par les
gouvernements comme une “vache à lait” et les taxes et redevances devraient être fixées
rationnellement.
Tandis que certains participants ont exprimé la crainte de voir la foresterie devenir un secteur précaire
et une industrie en déclin, d’autres ont trouvé de l’espoir dans l’excellence révélée par les cas présentés. Il
est absolument essentiel, cependant, d’assurer une bonne gouvernance - anticipative, transparente,
responsable et capable de mettre un frein aux activités illégales.
RESUMEN DEL PRESIDENTE DE LA SESIÓN POR R. B. McCARTHY
Durante esta sesión, se presentaron y debatieron seis estudios de casos y un informe de síntesis sobre la
región de Asia y el Pacífico. Los seis casos seleccionados de cinco países representaban toda la gama de
situaciones existentes en la región en cuanto al tipo y la envergadura de las operaciones, la tecnología, el
marco institucional, las limitaciones experimentadas y la participación de los interesados: desde pequeñas
fincas forestales privadas hasta grandes concesiones madereras; de operaciones sencillas con gran
intensidad de mano de obra a tecnologías complejas y sofisticadas; de la producción y el comercio de
PFNMs a la transformación y comercialización de productos de madera; de grandes empresas privadas a
cooperativas locales.
Los países y casos se seleccionaron al azar. Los participantes señalaron que la situación reinante en
los países tiende a indicar un patrón general en las tendencias forestales de la región (extracción
descontrolada de madera, ya sea a través de concesiones forestales o directamente por los organismos
gubernamentales; la consiguiente degradación ambiental conducente a una reducción o eliminación
gradual de actividades de aprovechamiento forestal; extractores ilegales que aprovechan la situación, lo
cual lleva al agotamiento de recursos; y agricultores privados que establecen plantaciones arbóreas de alto
rendimiento o actividades agroforestales para satisfacer la demanda, llevando de ese modo la actividad
forestal al nivel de la agricultura). Al mismo tiempo, los casos indican también cuál es la mejor forma de
adaptar la actividad forestal sostenible a la situación existente, por ejemplo, con prácticas silvícolas
intensivas como en el caso de las operaciones de tala selectiva y plantaciones en fajas llevadas a cabo por
PT. Sari Bumi Kusuma en Indonesia, o las fincas de árboles clonales que promueve ITC-PSPD en la India.
En la opinión de los participantes, la evolución del contexto social y político que ha tenido lugar en los
países, en muchos casos, ha conducido a los acontecimientos que llevaron a la situación actual en el
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ámbito forestal y al surgimiento de factores que favorecen las prácticas forestales insostenibles. Si bien
estos factores destacan la necesidad de llevar a cabo reformas de carácter normativo que favorezcan la
OFS, existen también otros factores que apuntan a la necesidad de modificar las políticas relacionadas con
los bosques, tales como la globalización de la economía y el comercio, la internacionalización del medio
ambiente y la protección ambiental, la creciente necesidad de inversiones y la participación del sector
privado, la creciente participación de todas las partes interesadas y la sociedad civil, y una demanda más
diversificada de la sociedad en materia de bienes y servicios forestales.
Las deliberaciones sobre las limitaciones y problemas tendieron a concentrarse en los aspectos
específicos de cada país y/o situación. Algunos de los problemas comunes importantes, planteados
reiteradamente durante el debate, incluyeron, entre otros, los siguientes:
• las deficiencias institucionales, inclusive aquéllas relacionadas con los servicios forestales;
• los frecuentes cambios de políticas, normas, reglamentos y derechos o cánones forestales,
que causan incertidumbre y riesgos para las inversiones;
• la falta de medidas decisivas para dar seguimiento a las políticas;
• la propiedad tradicional y comunal del bosque y los problemas de tenencia asociados con la
misma;
• la extracción ilegal de madera y sus múltiples consecuencias;
• la necesidad de asegurar un perfeccionamiento constante de la tecnología para mantener la
competitividad;
• los costos adicionales de la certificación de maderas y la falta de un sistema que asegure una
“valuación ambiental honesta”. (Una mejor imagen de la industria no podrá por sí sola
garantizar el cumplimiento de los requisitos de la certificación; es necesario establecer y aplicar
condiciones y niveles de desempeño mínimos en un proceso gradual por etapas, permitiendo
suficiente tiempo para establecer la OFS.)
Durante los debates, los participantes plantearon diversos puntos y observaciones interesantes:
• Varios países de la región que anteriormente eran exportadores netos de madera y productos
de madera se han convertido en importadores netos, gastando las divisas que antes
generaban. Esto se debe principalmente a la actividad forestal “concentrada en la madera”. Es
necesario introducir o implementar una actividad forestal multifuncional.
• A fin de desarrollar un sector forestal eficaz, es necesario crear puentes que unan la
investigación forestal con las políticas forestales y establecer la confianza entre los sectores
público y privado.
• Los productos forestales y madereros se deben producir conforme a los niveles de calidad y
uniformidad requeridos por el mercado y a precios asequibles, comparables con los de los
productos sustitutos.
• La sustentabilidad económica es crucial para atraer las inversiones privadas en las actividades
de OFS. Si bien la captación de rentas es sumamente importante en los bosques de dominio
público, los gobiernos no deberían tratar la actividad forestal como una lucrativa “vaca lechera”
y deberían fijar impuestos y cánones racionales.
Si bien algunos participantes expresaron cierto temor porque la actividad forestal podría convertirse en
un sector precario y una industria en decadencia, otros consideraron que el nivel de excelencia demostrado
en los casos presentados era muy promisorio. Sin embargo, es absolutamente esencial garantizar un buen
sistema de gobierno, proactivo, transparente, responsable y capaz de combatir las actividades ilegales.
SESSION 3
LATIN AMERICA-CARIBBEAN
CASE PAPERS
CHAIRMAN: FLORIANO PASTORE
IMPACTS OF SFM ADOPTION AT THE FOREST AND THE MILL:
THE CASE OF LA CHONTA
IMPACTS DE L’ADOPTION DE L’AFD DANS LES FORETS ET LES USINES
LE CAS DE LA CHONTA
IMPACTOS DE LA ADOPCIÓN DE LA OFS EN EL BOSQUE Y LA FÁBRICA
EL CASO DE LA CHONTA
P. Antelo and M. Tuoto
La Chonta Ltda
SUMMARY
La Chonta is a Bolivian private-owned company. The company manages 220,000 ha of tropical forests, distributed in
two concessions (government forest land) located in the Guarayos and Bajo Paragua regions, central eastern part of
Bolivia. The company employs 350 persons and its total annual revenue is around USD 4 million.
After 1997, taking into consideration the new Bolivian Forest Law, the company decided to embark in a new
approach and the forest concession began to be managed in a sustainable way. Nowadays, both La Chonta forest
concessions are certified by FSC.
To improve forest practices and adopt SFM, La Chonta had to increase the number of tree-species harvested, and
thus was unable to harvest higher volumes per unit area. In the past the company was based on a few valuable species
and removals were normally less than 1 m3/ha. This was only possible due to the high market price of the so-called
valuable species (mahogany, for example).
With the adoption of improved forest practices, the increase on harvesting volumes became quite important, not
only to mitigate the pressure over the precious wood species, but also to make it possible to internalise the new and
additional costs resulting from the adoption of improved forest practices. At moment, the company is harvesting between
3 and 8 m3/ha. This is still a relatively small volume when compared with operations held in other countries of the region,
as for instance in Brazil.
No doubt that the increase in the volume removed reduced the harvesting costs, but it created another problem:
many of the new harvested wood species are not known in the international market, and when accepted have a low
market value. La Chonta faced difficult times, since in many cases the costs of production, mainly due to logistics that
leads to high transportation costs to the main consuming markets, is a strong limitation for timbers with no tradition in
the market (LKS). The domestic market could be, in principle an alternative, but as expected it is too small to absorb the
volumes.
La Chonta has two sawmills, both located close to forest concessions (La Chonta and Lago Rey). Part of the
production is traded in bulk, while better grades are reprocessed into value-added products. The production capacity of
the re-manufacturing facility is around 2,000 m3/year of finished products (door, moulding and flooring). Annually, about
20,000 doors are produced. The chain of custody is also certified by FSC.
Wood processing activities were strongly affected when SFM was adopted. The knowledge gained in processing
traditional wood species, as for example mara (mahogany), roble and cedro, was no longer valid when LKS entered into
production. The high commercial value of these species, traditionally traded, and widely accepted by the market,
contributed to the low efficiency in the value chain. With the adoption of SFM and the introduction of LKS, several actions
were needed to improve efficiency of the mill, and this included several investments to develop new processes and
products, and also investments in the processing facilities.
The lesson learnt by La Chonta points out that introducing LKS is fundamental when adopting SFM. Processing
LKS requires an increase in the scale of production (starting at the forest) and the adoption of improved processing
technologies in order to reduce production costs and increase product values.
It was also learnt that LKS have a lower market value, well below traditional wood species, and are very unlikely
to have price increases along the years. Thus, without cost reduction and addition of value it is not possible to have a
profitable operation, which is necessary to improve forest practices.
Moreover, the lessons learnt by La Chonta operating in Bolivia indicate that an adequate policy and legal
framework, and particularly law enforcement, plays an important role in the promotion of SFM. However, the private
sector in Bolivia ended up paying for the full costs of SFM adoption, since the Government has no economic instrument
or other mechanism that would effectively encourage the adoption of SFM. There was hope to recover the additional
costs from the market, but no premium price is paid for sustainable produced timber, even when certified.
The changes require more than good will. New investments in whole value chain are needed. This has been a
strong limitation for La Chonta, since in Bolivia financial sources for direct investments in the timber industry are quite
limited and, when available, costs are too high.
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RESUME
La Chonta est une entreprise privée bolivienne. Elle gère 220.000 ha de forêts tropicales, répartis en deux concessions
(terres forestières appartenant au gouvernement) situées dans les districts de Guarayos et Bajo Paragua, dans la région
centre occidentale de Bolivie. L’entreprise emploie 350 personnes et son revenu annuel se monte au total à environ 4
millions de dollars EU.
Après 1997, prenant en considération la nouvelle loi bolivienne sur les forêts, l’entreprise a décidé d’adopter une
nouvelle approche et a commencé à gérer la concession de manière durable. De nos jours, les deux concessions
forestières de La Chonta sont certifiées par le FSC.
Pour améliorer les pratiques forestières et adopter l’AFD, La Chonta a dû augmenter le nombre d’espèces d’arbres
prélevées et, par conséquent, n’a pas été en mesure de récolter des volumes plus élevés par unité de superficie. Dans
le passé, les opérations de l’entreprise étaient fondées sur un petit nombre d’espèces de valeur et les prélèvements se
situaient normalement à moins de 1 m3/ha, ce qui n’était possible que grâce au niveau élevé du prix marchand desdites
espèces de valeur (l’acajou, par exemple).
Vu l’adoption de meilleurs pratiques forestière, il était impératif d’accroître les volumes prélevés, non seulement
pour atténuer la pression sur les espèces précieuses de bois, mais aussi pour permettre d’internaliser les coûts
nouveaux et additionnels entraînés par l’adoption de meilleures pratiques forestières. A l’heure actuelle, l’entreprise
récolte entre 3 et 8 m3/ha. C’est encore un volume relativement faible comparé à celui des opérations dans d’autres
pays de la région, comme par exemple au Brésil.
Sans aucun doute, l’augmentation du volume prélevé a réduit les coûts de la récolte, mais elle a donné lieu à un
autre problème: bon nombre des nouvelles espèces de bois récoltées ne sont pas connues sur le marché international
et, lorsqu’elles sont acceptées, elles sont de faible valeur marchande. La Chonta a fait face à des périodes difficiles,
étant donné que dans beaucoup de cas les coûts de production, surtout de caractère logistique entraînant des coûts
élevés de transport vers les principaux marchés de consommation, représentent un facteur très limitatif pour des bois
sans tradition sur le marché (EMC). Le marché intérieur pourrait en principe offrir une solution mais, comme on peut
s’en douter, ce marché est trop petit pour absorber les volumes.
La Chonta possède deux scieries, toutes deux situées à proximité de ses concessions (La Chonta et Lago Rey).
Une partie de la production est commercialisée en vrac, tandis que les meilleures catégories sont transformées en
produits à valeur ajoutée. La capacité de production de l’installation d’usinage est de quelque 2.000 m?/an de produits
finis (portes, moulurés et plancher). Annuellement, 20.000 portes environ sont produites. La filière de responsabilité est
également certifiée par le FSC.
Les activités de transformation du bois ont été fortement touchées lorsque l’AFD a été adopté. Les connaissances
acquises dans la transformation des espèces de bois traditionnelles, comme mara (acajou), roble et cedro, n’étaient
plus valables lorsque les EMC sont entrées dans la production. La valeur marchande élevée des espèces
traditionnellement commercialisées et largement admises sur le marché a contribué au bas rendement dans la chaîne
des valeurs. L’adoption de l’AFD et l’introduction des EMC ont entraîné la nécessité de plusieurs actions en vue
d’améliorer le rendement à l’usine, parmi lesquelles plusieurs investissements pour développer de nouveaux procédés
et produits ainsi que des investissements en matériel de transformation.
La leçon qu’en a tirée La Chonta c’est qu’il est fondamental d’introduire les EMC lorsque l’on adopte l’AFD. La
transformation des EMC exige un élargissement de l’échelle de la production (à commencer dès la forêt) et l’adoption
de meilleures techniques de transformation afin de réduire les coûts de production et relever la valeur des produits.
Elle a également appris que les EMC ont une valeur marchande inférieure, bien au-dessous de celle des espèces
de bois traditionnelles, et que leurs prix sont très peu susceptibles d’augmenter au cours des ans. Ainsi, sans réduction
des coûts et valeur ajoutée, il n’est pas possible de rentabiliser les opérations, ce qui est nécessaire pour améliorer les
pratiques forestières.
Par ailleurs, les leçons apprises par La Chonta opérant en Bolivie indiquent qu’une orientation et un cadre juridique
adéquats, en ce qui concerne notamment le respect des lois, jouent un rôle important dans la promotion de l’AFD.
Toutefois, le secteur privé bolivien a fini par payer la totalité des coûts de l’adoption de l’AFD, puisque le gouvernement
n’a aucun instrument économique ou autre mécanisme qui encouragerait effectivement l’adoption de l’AFD. On pouvait
espérer que le marché permettrait de compenser les coûts additionnels, mais le bois issu d’une production durable,
même si elle est certifiée, ne peut se vendre au prix fort.
Les changements exigent plus que de la bonne volonté. De nouveaux investissements dans l’ensemble de la
chaîne des valeurs sont nécessaires. C’est ce qui a énormément freiné les opérations de La Chonta car, en Bolivie, les
sources financières pour des investissements directs dans l’industrie du bois sont extrêmement limitées et, si elles sont
disponibles, leurs coûts sont prohibitifs.
RESUMEN
La Chonta es una empresa privada boliviana que administra 220.000 ha de bosques tropicales distribuidos en dos
concesiones (tierras forestales gubernamentales) situadas en las regiones de Guarayos y Bajo Paraguá, en el centrooeste de Bolivia. La empresa emplea a 350 personas y sus ingresos anuales ascienden a alrededor de cuatro millones
de dólares estadounidenses.
A partir de 1997, de conformidad con la nueva Ley Forestal de Bolivia, la empresa decidió adoptar un nuevo
enfoque y comenzó a manejar sus concesiones forestales de forma sostenible. Hoy ambas concesiones de La Chonta
están certificadas por el FSC.
A fin de mejorar las prácticas forestales y adoptar la OFS, La Chonta tuvo que aumentar el número de especies
arbóreas aprovechadas y, por consiguiente, ha podido extraer volúmenes más abundantes por unidad de superficie. En
el pasado, la empresa se había basado en unas pocas especies valiosas con extracciones que normalmente eran
inferiores al metro cúbico por hectárea, lo cual sólo era posible por el alto precio de las denominadas especies nobles
en el mercado (por ejemplo, la caoba).
Con la adopción de mejores prácticas forestales, el aumento de los volúmenes extraídos pasó a ser un factor
esencial, no sólo para mitigar la presión ejercida sobre las especies maderables nobles, sino también para poder
internalizar los costos nuevos y adicionales relacionados con la aplicación de mejores prácticas. Actualmente la
empresa extrae entre 3 y 8 m3/ha, lo cual sigue siendo un volumen relativamente pequeño en comparación con las
extracciones que tienen lugar en otros países de la región, por ejemplo, en Brasil. Sin duda, el aumento de los
volúmenes extraídos redujo los costos de extracción, pero trajo aparejado otro problema: muchas de las nuevas
especies maderables extraídas son desconocidas en el mercado internacional y, si se las acepta, tienen un valor de
mercado limitado. La Chonta pasó por períodos difíciles, ya que en muchos casos los costos de producción, debido
principalmente a problemas logísticos vinculados a los altos costos de transporte a los principales mercados
consumidores, constituyen una limitación importante para las maderas que no tienen una tradición en el mercado
(EMC). En principio, el mercado nacional podría haber sido una alternativa, pero tal como se esperaba, es demasiado
limitado para absorber los volúmenes producidos.
La Chonta cuenta con dos aserraderos, ambos situados cerca de las concesiones forestales (La Chonta y Lago
Rey). Una parte de la producción se comercia en bruto, mientras que la madera de calidades superiores es
transformada en productos de valor agregado. La capacidad de producción de la planta industrial es de alrededor de
2.000 m3/año de productos acabados (puertas, molduras y tableros para pisos). Anualmente se producen
aproximadamente 20.000 puertas. El FSC ha certificado también la cadena de custodia de la empresa.
Las actividades de transformación maderera se vieron severamente afectadas cuando se adoptaron las prácticas
de OFS. Los conocimientos adquiridos en la transformación de las maderas tradicionales, por ejemplo la mara (caoba),
el roble y el cedro, ya no eran válidos cuando se comenzaron a producir las EMC. El alto valor comercial de estas
especies tradicionales ampliamente aceptadas en el mercado permitía un bajo nivel de rendimiento en la cadena de
valor forestal. Con la adopción de las prácticas de OFS y la introducción de las especies menos conocidas, fue preciso
adoptar varias medidas para mejorar la eficiencia de la industria, inclusive diversas inversiones para el desarrollo de
nuevos procesos y productos, así como inversiones en las instalaciones industriales.
La experiencia adquirida por La Chonta indica que la incorporación de EMCs es fundamental para la aplicación
de prácticas de OFS. La transformación de estas maderas exige una expansión de la escala de producción
(comenzando por el bosque) y la adopción de mejores tecnologías de transformación a fin de reducir los costos de
producción e incrementar el valor de los productos.
Asimismo, la experiencia demostró que las EMC tienen un valor más bajo en el mercado, muy inferior al de las
maderas tradicionales, y es poco probable que sus precios aumenten con el transcurso de los años. Por lo tanto, sin
una reducción de costos y el agregado de valor al producto, es imposible tener una operación rentable, lo cual es
necesario para mejorar las prácticas forestales.
Además, las lecciones aprendidas por La Chonta en Bolivia nos demuestran que para fomentar la OFS es
importante contar con un marco normativo y jurídico adecuado, especialmente en relación con la aplicación y el
cumplimiento de leyes. Sin embargo, el sector privado de Bolivia terminó pagando la totalidad de los costos para la
adopción de prácticas de OFS, ya que el gobierno no dispone de ningún instrumento económico u otro mecanismo para
alentar eficazmente la adopción de la ordenación forestal sostenible. Si bien inicialmente se esperaba recuperar los
costos adicionales en el mercado, hoy no se paga ningún sobreprecio por la madera producida de forma sostenible,
incluso cuando se trata de madera certificada.
Para lograr el cambio se necesita algo más que simplemente buena voluntad. Es preciso contar con nuevas
inversiones en toda la cadena de valor forestal. Ésta ha sido una limitación importante para La Chonta, ya que las
fuentes financieras de Bolivia para las inversiones directas en la industria maderera son muy limitadas y en aquellos
casos en que se encuentran disponibles, los costos son demasiado elevados.
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1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
La Chonta is a Bolivian private-owned company founded in 1974. The company manages two forest
concessions in the Guarayos and Bajo Paragua regions, central-eastern part of Bolivia. Forests of this
region are rich in high commercial value wood species, including mahogany (mara – Swietenia macrophylia),
Bolivian oak (roble – Amburana cearensis), Spanish cedar (cedro – Cedrela odorata) and others.
La Chonta operates three separate enterprises: Agroindustrial La Chonta Ltda, Aserradero Lago Rey
Ltda and Bolivian Forest Saver. Agroindustrial La Chonta Ltda as well as Aserradero Lago Rey Ltda are
responsible for managing forest concessions and for wood processing facilities and operations. Bolivian
Forest Saver is the trade branch. The three companies jointly employ approximately 350 persons and their
total annual revenue is around USD 4 million.
2.0 SFM ADOPTION
In the past, La Chonta forest operation was based on selective logging, of a few valuable species (mara,
roble and cedro). Selective logging demanded extensive forest concessions and the harvested volume was
very low (<1 m3/ha). Despite this fact, operations could be economically justified on the high market price of
the harvested species covered the expensive field operations.
In 1994, before the new Forest Law, La Chonta decided to establish a trial forest management plan in
20,000 ha of forest land. A forest inventory of the total trial area and a census were made, but unfortunately
one year after the work was carried out this forest was affected by fire. At the end of 1996, taking into
consideration the new Bolivian Forest Law, the company decided to embark in a new approach and the
forest concessions began to be managed in a sustainable way. In spite of the significant changes made in
forest management, industrial operations and commercial practices, La Chonta considers that the transition
to SFM was facilitated by the experience gained along the year the company operated the trial management plan.
Paradoxically, the move towards SFM made La Chonta reduce the size of the concessions. In the past, by
operating only on 2–3 valuable species, a large area was needed, as removals were very low (around 1 m3/ha).
In addition, the previous Forest Law provision considered the payment of royalties based on removals, so the
size of the concession was not a limitation. With the new law, the payment is made based on the area of the
concession, and companies need to match the size of the concession with their payment capacity.
The company currently manages 220,000 ha of tropical forests, distributed in two concessions, La
Chonta and Lago Rey, both located on the northeast of the Department of Santa Cruz. Out of this total area,
around 164,000 ha are considered as production forest.
As a result of the adoption of SFM, in order to avoid pressure over a few valuable species, La Chonta
had to increase the number of the tree-species harvested and this resulted in higher removals (3-8 m3/ha
against less than 1 m3/ha in the past). To a certain extent, the increase in the number of tree-species and
therefore in the volume removed per unit area was also an economic requirement, as the payment is made
by area, and not by volume removed as in the past.
Studies carried out in Bolivia show that when wood volume removed is increased from 3 to 12 m3/ha,
the costs of primary products at the mill gate (ready for shipment) can be reduced by 25% or more. However,
the increase in the volume removed is a hard task, whereas there is no a remunerative market price for LKS
produced in Bolivia.
In fact, market limitations for LKS have been experimented by La Chonta since SFM was adopted.
Value-added products and forest certification were the alternatives found by La Chonta to deal with this
situation. Forest certification attainment was a relatively simple process, considering that both of the
company’s forest concessions were under SFM, but the impact on final price was less than expected.
Nowadays, both concessions are certified by the FSC.
3.0 WOOD PROCESSING
La Chonta has two sawmills, both located close to forest concessions (La Chonta and Lago Rey). The
sawmills are small, employ old technology, and use intensive labour. However, during 2003 La Chonta
invested on automation of one sawmill as well as on a power plant to produce energy using wood waste.
Also in this sawmill were improved kiln capacity and KD sawnwood production is growing every year.
Part of the production is traded in bulk, while better grades are reprocessed into value-added products.
The production capacity of the re-manufacturing facility is more than 2,000 m3/year of finished products
(door, moulding, flooring, among others). Annually, about 20,000 doors are produced. The chain of custody
is certified by the FSC.
Wood processing activities were affected when SFM was adopted. In the past, La Chonta only
processed a few species (mara, roble, cedro, etc). The high commercial value of these species, traditionally
traded, and widely accepted by the market, contributed for the low efficiency in the value chain. With SFM
adoption and the introduction of LKS, several actions were implemented to improve efficiency, including the
development of new procedures for LKS processing and value addition became crucial.
At an early stage, La Chonta investments were made to adjust the technology for LKS processing. This
included procurement of equipment for the drying sector firstly close to the secondary processing facilities.
Since 1999, all new kilns have been built at the sawmill site, which is close to the forest.
The lesson learnt by La Chonta is that introducing LKS require an increase in the scale of production
and the adoption of improved processing technologies in order to reduce production costs and increase
product values. LKS have a lower market value, well below traditional wood species, but its consideration is
of outstanding importance to achieve SFM.
4.0 MARKET ISSUES
LKS introduction increased the wood removals and reduced costs, but the diversity of wood species and the
lack of market for LKS continues to be a problem for La Chonta and, to some extent, this has inhibited further
improvement in SFM practices.
To improve the situation, La Chonta is investing significant efforts and resources to wards opening
markets for LKS. The main activities developed by La Chonta to improve the market for LKS are certification
and a new distribution system. Certification, no doubt, has helped to keep old customers and open new
markets for LKS, but the market for certified wood products is still concentrated in few wood species as well
as few countries. No premium price has been paid for certified wood products and, currently, certified wood
products are only a comparative advantage for La Chonta in relation to market access. To improve product
distribution and market promotion, a new trading company (Bolivian Forest Saver) was created. The new
company concentrated the group’s commercial transactions, and is also responsible for the promotion,
identification and opening new markets for LKS. Some gains have been identified, but the problem with LKS
is far from a solution.
5.0 FINANCIAL IMPACTS
SFM adoption affected the company’s entire production structure and caused strong financial impacts. Since
1997, when La Chonta decided to adopt SFM practices, the company has been accumulating successive
losses. The increase in production financial costs, and lower market price for LKS are the main reasons for
the poor economic performance of the company.
In fact, the adoption of SFM and the new forest law affected, not only La Chonta, but also the entire Bolivian
timber industry lost market shares and is now struggling to regain market and improve productivity to enable the
industry to survive. This requires capital and it is a strong limitation in the case of Bolivian timber industry.
La Chonta seems to be in a better position than most of the local industry. The company is slowly
reverting the situation through strategic planning, which is focusing on debt renegotiation, investments to
increase production of value-added products and on the introduction of LKS in the market.
6.0 GENERAL ASSESSMENT ON STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
An assessment of La Chonta SFM strengths and weaknesses was made, taking into consideration ITTO’s
Manual on Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Management of Natural Tropical Forests at Management Unit
Level. The assessment also takes into consideration other aspects, such as implications of the adoption of SFM
in the industrial activities as well as on the performance of the company in the market over the last years.
Overall, Bolivia was able, through the new Forest Law and other instruments, to put in place policies
and the required legal framework to promote SFM. The action taken by the Government also improved the
situation related to law enforcement. Nevertheless, La Chonta, as most forest companies in Bolivia, have
suffered from the lack of financial sources to support investments required for the adoption of SFM.
There are practically no economic instruments and/or other incentives to effectively support the
implementation of SFM in Bolivia. There is also limitation on number and adequacy of trained professionals,
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and several technical questions remain to be solved, and the Government of Bolivia has demonstrated to
have low capacity to support forest companies in transition towards SFM. In the case of La Chonta part of
the problem was solved by international cooperation, but the company still has to find its own way towards
solving most of the problems, particularly in terms of financing the new and additional arising costs,
especially when considering that the transition period was relatively short.
La Chonta concession is clearly defined and protected. The concession is 100% as permanent forest
state, and procedures are applied to control encroachment, fire, grazing and other illegal activities. There is
practically no damage in the concession related to natural causes.
The forest resources have been fully assessed, the total area has been inventoried to quantify the main
forest products, and a forest management plan was prepared. Only timber is harvested, as La Chonta has
not found any NWFP that could be economically harvested up to this moment.
Besides the forest inventory and the management plan, La Chonta has most of the required planning
procedures to properly operate the concession, including forest harvesting operational plan, long-term
projection, historical records and other elements. In spite of the fact that La Chonta considers that removals
are well below the sustainable level, there are some doubts related to the level estimate of sustainable
harvest for each main wood species. This is a result from the lack of scientific information on forest
regeneration and growth, common to the main parts of the tropical world when dealing with natural forests.
In any case, to overcome this problem, La Chonta management guidelines includes the assessment of
natural regeneration and the adoption of measures to supplement natural regeneration when necessary,
including guidelines to reduce the logging impact, and post harvest surveys to assess the effectiveness of
regeneration. All these procedures are monitored and the lessons learnt have been incorporated to the
operational activities. In any case, much more time is required to arrive at a conclusion on this aspect.
Biological diversity assessment has been considered in the management procedures. Within the
concession there are protected areas, and procedures to identify endangered, rare and threatened species
are available. These procedures cover species and genetic diversity. The changes in the biological diversity
in the production forests are monitored, comparing with areas in the same forest type kept free from human
intervention. Under these aspects, lack of knowledge and specially the lack of clear measurement
parameters have been a constraint.
Social aspects are also properly considered by La Chonta. The company generates employment in the
region, and cooperates with local community. It has put in place mechanisms for equitable sharing of
benefits among the parties involved, implements procedures to ensure health and safety of forest workers.
The adoption of SFM also had impact upon the mill. The increase in the number of species made it
necessary to develop new process and procedures, and increased the need for training. This was a strong
limitation, especially in the early stage when new investments were required while, at the same time, the
revenues declined.
Investments were also required in development of new products, upgrading the industrial facilities and
market research. Practically all costs and investments were covered by the company funds.
La Chonta forest certification was supported by international cooperation, but the company took the
responsibility for most of the costs. Certification is considered an important element to facilitate market
access, but the lessons learnt point out that aspects such as product quality and price remain the main
factors to ensure the economic sustainability of the business.
The lessons learnt by La Chonta operating in Bolivia indicate that an adequate policy and legal
framework, and particularly law enforcement, plays an important role in the promotion of SFM. However, the
private sector in Bolivia ended up paying for the full costs of SFM adoption, since the Government has no
economic instrument or other mechanism that would effectively encourage the adoption of SFM. There was
hope to recover the additional costs from the market, but no premium price is paid for sustainable produced
timber, even when certified.
To some extent, La Chonta was able to find alternatives to survive under the new scenario. The
increase in harvesting volumes, introducing new species (LKS) in the market, adding value and increase the
productivity were the alternatives used. In spite of the efforts, the margins are small, and changes in factors
that are out of the company’s control (market, macro economic and other factors) continue to be an eminent
risk to the future of the company’s business. In fact, La Chonta can be considered as an exception in Bolivia,
a country where the timber production and exports declined along the last few years.
SFM AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS:
THE CASE OF GUAVIRÁ
AFD ET DEVELOPPEMENT INDUSTRIEL
LE CAS DE GUAVIRA
LA OFS Y EL DESARROLLO INDUSTRIAL
EL CASO DE GUAVIRÁ
J. Baldasso and M. Tuoto
Guavirá Industrial e Agroflorestal Ltda.
SUMMARY
Guavirá Industrial e Agroflorestal Ltda. is a Brazilian private-owned company. The company is totally integrated, and
cover forest operations and harvesting, manufacturing (primary and secondary processing facilities), and trading. The
operations involve around 250 persons, and its annual turn over is approximately USD 7 million.
Guavirá owns around 80 thousand ha of lands located in Mato Grosso State (private lands). Out of this total 58
thousand ha is covered by natural tropical forests managed for production. It is one the largest SFM plan of the State
of Mato Grosso. The SFM plan prepared by Guavirá has been considered by the State authorities and also by the
national forestry agency (IBAMA) as a model to be followed. Although the company could purchase logs in the local
market, currently all timber supply originates from their own forestland kept under SFM.
The forest land owned by Guavirá is quite unique, with much lower variability than in other parts of the Amazon
region. There are basically 24 that in principle are considered as commercial tree-species in Guavira’s forests, but in
view of the large concentration of species the decision was only to harvest half of the species available. Cedrinho
(Erisma uncinatum) is the dominant tree-species and it is responsible for around 50% of the total timber removals.
Depending on the location, cedrinho volume varies between 10 and 15 m3/ha (in reduced areas the volume can be
higher). The remaining 50% of the volume harvested is represented by 10 other tree-species. It is an important
competitive advantage for Guavirá to have a high volume concentration on a single tree-species (cedrinho) with broad
market.
Harvesting operations are quite efficient. The company harvesting and transportation operations are carried out all
the year round, while in most operations in the Amazon region they last for no more than 6-8 months per year as a result
of the rainy season. This is only possible in view of the local conditions (particularly soils) and especially the harvesting
approach adopted by Guavirá that includes the construction of roads to access specific harvesting compartments during
the rainy period.
As a result of having operations during twelve months of the year, and the use of improved harvesting and
transportation technology and equipment, the costs of these operation is much lower than those faced by competitors.
The equipments used are basically one skidder, one front loader and five 70-tons-lorries, and this is sufficient to supply
the 85,000 m3/year consumed by the mill.
In order to strengthen its competitive advantage, Guavirá decided to invest in a modern sawmill. The main reasons
for investing in a new sawmill were: increase in productivity, reduce wood waste and improve the product quality aiming
to gain the international market.
The project for modernising Guavirá’s operations and facilities was carried out with the support of a consulting
company. The modernisation of the industrial facilities involved: i) the building of a modern sawmill with a production
capacity of 60,000 m3/year of sawnwood to replace the existing three small-sized ones, including dry kiln facilities; ii) the
building of a modern secondary processing plant in order to add value to sawnwood, as well as to improve wood
recovery; and iii) the establishment of a power plant based on wood waste. The power plant was initially planned to be
built during the construction of the sawmill, but due to the involvement of an independent power producer-IPP, this
investment was postponed.
The total investment was around USD 12 million. About 50% of the total investment was financed by the National
Bank for the Economic and Social Development-BNDES. This was the first financing granted by the BNDES to a timber
industry operating in the Amazon region and based on tropical timber. Besides investing in the modernization of the mill
the funds made available by BNDES were also applied in expanding forest plantations and for social program.
The investments made were important to enable the company to gain the international market (prior to the new mill
100% of the production was sold in the domestic market mainly as a construction material). During the construction of
the new mill several missions were held to main markets to identify best options in terms of products, market channels
and clients.
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Currently, Guavirá produces 45,000 m3/year of tropical sawnwood. Higher grades are transformed into value added
products (around 10,000 m3/year of value-added products are sold mainly in the international market in form of
mouldings, decking, furniture components, etc.).
As a result of the strategy adopted (adding value to a significant part of the production and trading in the
international market) the average selling prices increased by more than 100% over the last 3 years. The increase on the
average price made it possible to increase revenues and profitability, while at the same the volumes harvested declined.
From Guavirá case it is clear that to increase the productivity in the production chain is fundamental to compete in
the market and to ensure the economic sustainability of the business, the most important factor to ensure that the
environmental and social criteria set for management are achieved.
In any case, Guavirá has questions regarding the long-term economic sustainability of the business. Increasing
complexity of the legal framework dealing with forests, the growing overlapping of regulations resulting from the on-going
decentralisation process is continuously increasing the operational costs. This stimulates informality and corruption,
especially when coupled with weaknesses in law enforcement. There are serious doubts particularly regarding how
effective government will be in enforcing law related to property rights in the future. This might limit the investments in
the future.
RESUME
Guavirá Industrial e Agroflorestal Ltda. est une entreprise brésilienne privée. Elle est totalement intégrée et couvre les
opérations forestières, les récoltes, la fabrication (installations de transformation primaire et secondaire) et la
commercialisation. Aux opérations participent environ 250 personnes et son chiffre d’affaires annuel se monte à environ
7 millions de dollars des Etats-Unis ($EU).
Guavirá possède à peu près 80 mille ha de terres situées dans l’état de Mato Grosso (terres privées). Sur ce total,
58 mille ha sont couverts de forêts tropicales naturelles gérées à des fins de production. C’est l’un des plus grands plans
d’AFD de l’Etat de Mato Grosso. Le plan d’AFD établi par Guavirá a été considéré par les autorités de l’Etat ainsi que
par l’agence forestière nationale (IBAMA) comme un modèle à suivre. Bien que l’entreprise puisse acquérir les grumes
sur le marché local, toutes les fournitures de bois proviennent de ses propres terres forestières sous AFD.
Les terres forestières que possède Guavirá sont tout à fait spéciales, présentant beaucoup moins de variété que
dans d’autres parties de la région amazonienne. Essentiellement, les forêts de Guavirá renferment 24 espèces d’arbres
qui sont considérées en principe d’intérêt commercial mais, en raison de la forte concentration des espèces, il a été
décidé de ne récolter que la moitié des espèces disponibles. Cedrinho (Erisma uncinatum) est l’essence prédominante
qui représente environ 50% de tous les prélèvements de bois. Selon l’emplacement, le volume de cedrinho se situe
entre 10 et 15 m3/ha (dans certains secteurs restreints, le volume peut être plus élevé). Les autres 50% du volume
récolté est représenté par 10 autres essences. Le fait d’avoir un volume élevé concentré sur une seule essence
(cedrinho) bénéficiant d’un marché considérable est un avantage concurrentiel important pour GUAVIRÁ.
La récolte est exécutée avec beaucoup d’efficacité. Les opérations de récolte et de transport se déroulent toute
l’année, tandis que pour la plupart des entreprises de la région amazonienne ces opérations ne durent pas plus de 6-8
mois dans l’année à cause de la saison des pluies. Ce type d’exploitation n’est possible que grâce aux conditions
locales (en particulier les sols) et surtout à l’approche adoptée par Guavirá pour la récolte, laquelle inclut la construction
de routes pour accéder aux séries de coupe spécifiques pendant la période des pluies.
Les opérations pouvant se poursuivre pendant douze mois de l’année, et des techniques et du matériel de
transport améliorés étant utilisés pour la récolte, les coûts de ces opérations sont bien inférieurs à ceux auxquels
doivent faire face les concurrents. Le matériel utilisé comprend essentiellement un débusqueur, un chargeur avant et
cinq camions de 70 tonnes, ce qui est suffisant pour prélever les 85.000 m3/an usinés par la scierie.
Afin de renforcer son avantage concurrentiel, GUAVIRÁ a décidé d’investir dans une scierie moderne. Les
principaux objectifs de l’investissement dans une nouvelle scierie étaient: d’accroître la productivité, de réduire les
déchets de bois et d’améliorer la qualité des produits en vue d’accéder au marché international.
Le projet pour la modernisation des opérations et de l’équipement de GUAVIRÁ a été mis à exécution avec l’appui
d’un cabinet d’experts-conseils. La modernisation des installations industrielles comprenait: i) la construction d’une
scierie moderne d’une capacité de production de 60.000 m3/an de sciages pour remplacer les trois petites installations
existantes, y compris les séchoirs; ii) la construction d’une installation moderne de transformation secondaire afin de
valoriser les sciages, ainsi que pour améliorer le rendement matière; et iii) la mise en place d’une centrale électrique
utilisant les déchets de bois. La construction de la centrale électrique aurait dû commencer pendant la construction de
la scierie, mais en raison de la participation d’un producteur d’électricité indépendant (IPP), cet investissement a été
remis à plus tard.
Le total de ces investissements s’est chiffré à quelque 12 millions de $EU. Environ 50% de ce montant a été
financé par la Banque nationale pour le développement économique et social (BNDES). C’était le premier financement
accordé par la BNDES à une industrie du bois opérant dans la région amazonienne et basée sur les bois tropicaux.
Sans compter l’investissement pour la modernisation des installations, les fonds mis à disposition par la BNDES ont
également servi à l’expansion des plantations forestières et à renforcer le programme social.
Les investissements ont largement facilité à l’entreprise l’accès au marché international (avant la nouvelle scierie,
100% de la production a été vendue sur le marché intérieur, principalement comme matériau de construction). Pendant
la construction de la nouvelle scierie, plusieurs missions ont été effectuées dans les principaux marchés en vue de
cerner les meilleures options en termes de produits, filières du marché et clients.
Actuellement, Guavirá produit 45.000 m3/an de sciages tropicaux. Les qualités supérieures sont transformées en
produits à valeur ajoutée (environ 10.000 m3/an de produits à valeur ajoutée sont vendus principalement sur le marché
international sous forme de moulurés, revêtement de sol d’extérieur, pièces de meubles, etc.).
Grâce à la stratégie adoptée (valorisation d’une partie significative de la production et commerce sur le marché
international), les prix de vente moyens ont augmenté de plus de 100% au cours des 3 dernières années. La hausse
du prix moyen a permis d’accroître les revenus et la rentabilité, tout en réduisant les volumes récoltés.
Le cas de Guavirá met en évidence qu’augmenter la productivité dans la chaîne de production est fondamental
pour faire concurrence sur le marché et pour garantir la durabilité économique des affaires, ce qui est de la plus haute
importance pour satisfaire aux critères environnementaux et sociaux fixés pour la gestion.
Néanmoins, Guavirá a des problèmes quant à la durabilité économique à long terme des affaires. La complexité
croissante du cadre juridique relatif aux forêts et le chevauchement de plus en plus fréquent des règlements résultant
du processus de décentralisation en cours font continuellement monter les coûts des opérations. Cet état de choses
pousse à des infractions aux procédures formelles et à la corruption, notamment s’il y a également des faiblesses dans
l’application des lois. Il y a de sérieux doutes en particulier quant à savoir jusqu’à quel point le gouvernement pourra
efficacement à l’avenir faire respecter la loi relative aux droits de propriété, ce qui pourrait limiter les futurs
investissements.
RESUMEN
Guavirá Industrial e Agroflorestal Ltda. es una empresa privada brasileña totalmente integrada, que realiza operaciones
de extracción y aprovechamiento forestal, manufactura (plantas de transformación primaria y secundaria) y comercio.
En estas operaciones, emplea a alrededor de 250 personas y su facturación anual es de aproximadamente siete
millones de dólares estadounidenses.
Guavirá posee aproximadamente 80,000 ha de tierras situadas en el estado de Mato Grosso (tierras de propiedad
privada). De este total, 58.000 ha se encuentran cubiertas de bosques tropicales naturales manejados con fines de
producción. Representa una de las mayores operaciones de OFS del estado de Mato Grosso. El plan de manejo
forestal preparado por Guavirá fue calificado por las autoridades de ese estado y también por el organismo nacional
forestal IBAMA como un proyecto modelo. Si bien la empresa podría comprar madera en troza en el mercado local,
actualmente toda su materia prima proviene de sus propios bosques manejados de forma sostenible.
Las tierras forestales de Guavirá revisten un carácter único y muestran una variedad mucho menor que otras
partes de la región amazónica. Básicamente, en los bosques de Guavirá, hay 24 especies arbóreas consideradas de
valor comercial, pero dada la gran concentración de especies, se decidió aprovechar únicamente la mitad. La especie
dominante es cedrinho (Erisma uncinatum), que representa alrededor del 50% del volumen total de madera extraída.
Según la ubicación, los volúmenes de cedrinho oscilan entre 10 y 15 m3/ha (en áreas reducidas, el volumen puede ser
mayor). El restante 50% del volumen extraído es de otras 10 especies. Este alto volumen disponible de una sola
especie (cedrinho) con un amplio mercado representa una ventaja competitiva importante para Guavirá.
La explotación maderera se lleva a cabo con suma eficiencia. Las operaciones de extracción y transporte de la
empresa tienen lugar durante todo el año, mientras que la mayoría de las operaciones de la región amazónica se
extienden durante no más de 6-8 meses al año debido a la estación lluviosa. Esto sólo es posible por las condiciones
locales (en particular, los suelos) y especialmente el método de extracción adoptado por Guavirá, que incluye la
construcción de caminos de acceso a compartimientos específicos de aprovechamiento durante el período lluvioso.
Dado que las operaciones se llevan a cabo durante los doce meses del año y se utilizan mejores tecnologías y
equipos para la extracción y el transporte de la madera, los costos operativos son mucho menores que los de la
competencia. La maquinaria utilizada consiste básicamente en un tractor remolcador, un cargador frontal y cinco
camiones de carga de 70 toneladas, lo cual es suficiente para producir el volumen de 85.000 m3 anuales que consume
el aserradero.
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A fin de aumentar su ventaja competitiva, Guavirá decidió invertir en un aserradero moderno. Los principales
motivos de esta inversión fueron incrementar la productividad, reducir el nivel de desechos madereros y mejorar la
calidad de los productos para conquistar el mercado internacional.
El proyecto para modernizar las operaciones e instalaciones de Guavirá se llevó a cabo con el apoyo de una firma
consultora. La modernización de las instalaciones industriales comprendió: i) la construcción de un aserradero moderno
con una capacidad de producción de 60.000 m3/año de madera aserrada para reemplazar los tres pequeños
aserraderos existentes, inclusive los hornos de secado; ii) la construcción de una moderna planta de transformación
secundaria a fin de añadir valor a la madera aserrada y mejorar a la vez las tasas de recuperación de madera; y iii) el
establecimiento de una central eléctrica basada en el uso de desechos madereros. Inicialmente se había programado
construir esta planta eléctrica durante la construcción del aserradero, pero debido a la participación de un productor
independiente de electricidad (IPP), la inversión se postergó.
La inversión total ascendió a alrededor de 12 millones de dólares estadounidenses. Aproximadamente el 50% de
este total fue financiado por el Banco Nacional de Desarrollo Económico y Social – BNDES. Ésta fue la primera
financiación otorgada por el BNDES a una industria maderera de la región amazónica basada en la producción de
madera tropical. Además de la modernización de la planta, los fondos facilitados por el BNDES se utilizaron también
para extender las plantaciones forestales y para un programa social.
Las inversiones realizadas fueron importantes para permitir a la empresa penetrar en el mercado internacional
(antes de la construcción del nuevo aserradero, el 100% de la producción se vendía en el mercado nacional,
principalmente como material de construcción). Durante la construcción del nuevo aserradero, se enviaron varias
misiones a los principales mercados para determinar las mejores opciones en relación con los productos, canales de
comercialización y clientes.
Actualmente, Guavirá produce 45.000 m3/año de madera tropical aserrada. La madera de calidades superiores se
transforma en productos de valor agregado (se venden aproximadamente 10.000 m3/año de productos de valor
agregado, principalmente en el mercado internacional, inclusive molduras, tableros para terrazas, componentes de
muebles, etc.).
Como resultado de la estrategia adoptada (añadir valor a una porción significativa de la producción y comerciar
en el mercado internacional), los precios de venta medios aumentaron más del 100% en los últimos tres años. Al subir
el precio promedio, aumentaron los ingresos y las ganancias, disminuyendo al mismo tiempo los volúmenes extraídos.
La experiencia de Guavirá nos demuestra claramente que el aumento de la productividad en la cadena de
producción es fundamental para competir en el mercado y asegurar la sustentabilidad económica de la empresa, el
factor más importante para garantizar que se cumplan los criterios ecológicos y sociales fijados para el manejo forestal.
No obstante, Guavirá se cuestiona la sustentabilidad económica de la empresa a largo plazo. Sus costos
operativos aumentan constantemente debido a la creciente complejidad del marco jurídico relacionado con los bosques
y la superposición cada vez mayor de reglamentos como resultado del proceso actual de descentralización. Estos
factores incentivan la informalidad y la corrupción, especialmente si se suman a un nivel deficiente de aplicación y
cumplimiento de la legislación. Existen serias dudas, en particular con respecto a si el gobierno aplicará eficazmente la
legislación relacionada con los derechos de propiedad en el futuro, lo cual podría limitar las inversiones futuras.
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
Guavirá Industrial e Agroflorestal Ltda. is a Brazilian company, privately owned, established in 1986. The
company industrial facilities are located in São José do Rio Claro city, 300 km North of Cuiabá, capital of
the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The forest lands are located around 120 km further north. Guavirá is at
moment one of the most important producers of tropical timber products in Brazil.
Guavirá is a fully-integrated company. Their operations cover logging and harvesting, manufacturing
(primary and secondary processing), and trading. The operations directly involve approximately 250
persons.
Along the last 10 years Guavirá has constantly invested in its business to increase productivity and
efficiency along the production chain. This is one of the main features of the company, that is one of the most
competitive companies operating with tropical timber in Brazil.
While most timber companies in the Amazon region only operate during the dry season, Guavirá’s
harvesting and transportation is carried out all year round. This was possible due to special attention given
to road construction and planning. As a result resources needed for harvesting and transportation are
efficiently used, and costs are lower. Using only one skidder, one front loader and five 70 tons trucks the
company harvests and transports to the mill around 85 thousands m3 every year.
The current production of Guavirá is around 45 thousand m3 of tropical sawnwood. Part of the
sawnwood goes to the secondary processing mill, and around 10,000 m3 of value-added products, including
mouldings, decking, furniture components and other products are produced annually.
The company’s total annual revenue is currently around USD 7 million. This is expected to increase
along the next years as a result new products and increase in the secondary processing capacity. Guavirá
is a case on how important investments are in the industry.
2.0 SFM ACTIVITIES
Guavirá’s forestland is privately owned. The company owns 78,353 ha of land located in the municipality of
Nova Maringá, State of Mato Grosso, about 120 km north of the mill location.
Most of Guavirá’s land area is covered by native forest of the intermediate zone between the cerrado
forest (savannah land) and the Amazon rainforest. Productive forest area covers around 58,000 ha. This
forest is the only source of raw material currently used by Guavirá’s to supply its industrial facility located in
São José do Rio Claro.
Guavirá forests are quite unique. It has a relatively low variability in terms of species when compared
with other forest in the Amazon region. In company forests there are basically 24 species considered in
principle as commercial tree-species, but for economical reasons only half of these species are actually
logged.
Cedrinho (Erisma uncinatum) is the dominant tree-species and represents almost 60% of timber
removed during harvesting operations. On average, 10 to 15 m3 of cedrinho is harvested per ha (in some
areas the volume to be harvested can be even higher). The remaining 40% harvested is distributed among
10 other timber species, including species well known is the international market such as: angelim pedra
(Hymenolobium spp), cupiúba (Goupia glabra), itaúba (Mezilaurus spp), mandioqueira (Quaelea paraensis),
cumaru (Dipterix odorata), and garapeira (Apuleia leiocarpa).
To have a high volume concentration on a few tree-species with abroad market is in fact an important
comparative advantage for Guavirá, and has been one of the main factors for its competitiveness in the
national and international market.
High volumes per unit area, mostly concentrated in a reduced number of species, makes it possible to
cut production costs drastically in harvesting as well as in the industrial operations. Guavirá’s production
costs are, on average, 20-30% lower than most Brazilian competitors’ and more than 40% lower than
producers operating in other Latin American countries.
Guavirá has a large experience in SFM. The first management plan was prepared in 1994 and covered
an area of 13,200 ha. The area was considered sufficient to attend sustainably the demand of a small-sized
sawmill that was operated by the company at that time.
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The increase in production made Guavirá review its strategy. The company started with the support of
a consulting company to re-structure its operation and this included an expansion of the forest management
plan.
In 1998, the Brazilian Institute for Environmental and Renewable Natural Resources-IBAMA approved
a new forest management plan for Guavirá’s forestland, covering the total forest area of around 58 thousand
ha. It still is the largest forest management plan in the State of Mato Grosso. The forest management plan
prepared by Guavirá has been considered by the State authorities and also by IBAMA as a model to be
followed.
The SFM plan of Guavirá has a planning horizon of 27 years, and is consistent with the ITTO Guidelines
for the Sustainable Management of Natural Tropical Forests and the ITTO Guidelines for the Conservation
of Biological Diversity in Tropical Production Forests.
Logging and harvesting operations of Guavirá are based on RIL techniques. The logging area is initially
mapped and a forest census is carried out (all trees with DBH above 45 cm are measured). The field data
is treated in GIS, and the company has an on-line Forest Information System-FIS, specially developed for
its needs.
The information system makes it possible to have a detailed analysis of the forest resources based on
digitalised maps, with the topographic characteristics of the area, as well as with data on fauna and rare
plants identified during the forest inventory. In this analysis, potential felling trees are identified, as well as
mother trees, permanent preservation trees and trees of ecological interest. Criteria of heterogeneous
distribution of harvesting operations and the sufficient quality of individuals by species which must remain in
the area as remaining trees, regardless their economical value, are also considered.
The process includes planning of skidder trails, definition of trees to be felled and their respective
direction in order to minimise the impacts of logging operations for the remaining vegetation. Only after
planning is completed logging operations are started.
During the pre harvesting forest inventory each tree is identified, numbered and registered, allowing its
monitoring and tracking of logs going into the mill. In 2002, the volume of industrial roundwood produced
under the SFM plan was around 85,000 m3, which was 65% below the AAC (Annual Allowable Cut).
Currently, Guavirá’s mill supply comes from only its forestland under SFM.
In order to support the forecasted growth in industrial roundwood consumption, Guavirá is also focusing
on fast-growing plantations, using degraded land areas. The tree species planted are teak (Tectona grandis)
and eucalyptus clones selected for solid timber production. It is expected that the forest plantation will be
commercially available within 10 years. Plantations productivity is very high, but the area is still limited to
500 ha. In any case the company is planning to expand the plantation along the next few years based on
the experience gained and land available.
In 2003 Guavirá has successfully completed all the process for certification under the FSC.
3.0 INDUSTRIAL EVOLUTION
Guavirá initiated its activities with a small-sized sawmill in 1986. Along the first operational years, sawnwood
production was mostly based on trade in the domestic market as construction material, although part was
reprocessed into doorways (also for the domestic market).
The company managed to grow fast during the late 80’s and early 90’s and two other small–sized
sawmills were built. All mills were based on relatively poor technology. Low degree of mechanisation and
automation and inadequate equipment had negative impacts on the product quality and productivity of the
operation.
Based on an assessment made in 1997 with the support of a consulting company Guavirá decided to
restructure its operation, from the mill to the market. Based on the results of the assessment it was decided
to invest in secondary processing and to focus also on alternative market (international market). This made
it necessary to adopt a new approach in primary processing operations, as the existing sawmills were not
adequate.
The main reasons to invest in a new sawmill were: i) reduce waste; ii) increase production efficiency
and productivity; iii) improve the product quality; and iv) improve general environment conditions including
workers safety and health. All these aspects made it possible to gain competitiveness add value and
compete in the international market.
The project expansion and modernisation of Guavirá’s mill was divided basically into three phases:
3.1 First Phase – Sawmill and Dry Kiln Facilities
The first phase included the construction of a modern sawmill to replace the existing three small-sized
sawmills. The new sawmill has a single line and it was designed specifically for the project, employing local
suppliers and latest generation equipment. The sawmill can process over 100,000 m3/year of tropical logs
operating in two shifts of eight hours each, with an output of 60,000 m3/year of sawnwood. It is the largest
single line sawmill for tropical timber operating in Brazil, and one of the largest in the Latin
American/Caribbean region.
Since the start-up of the new sawmill (2001), the product quality and productivity level increased
drastically. In the past, the three small-sized sawmills produced around 40,000 m3/year of sawnwood and
employed around 200 persons. With the implementation of the new sawmill, the production increased by
around 30%, and the labour was reduced to less than 30 employees.
Other gains were also obtained. Based on the use of improved technology, wood waste was reduced.
Measurements made by the company pointed out that raw material consumption was reduced by around
10% since the start-up of the new sawmill (based on the same output).
Wood residues are converted into wood chips. Wood chips and other particulate residues (sawdust) are
used for steam generation for the kilns and the rest is sold in the local market to generate thermal energy
(steam) to dry soybeans. In the past, wood waste was burnt in open fires at the mill site, provoking serious
environmental problems.
Currently, the higher grade boards are kiln dried, while lower grades are air dried to reduce weight and
thus transportations costs. Kilns were specially developed to attend the specific needs of the company.
3.2 Second Phase – Secondary Processing Plant
The second phase of Guavirá’s project considered the construction of a modern secondary processing plant
in order to add value to sawnwood, as well as to improve recovery. The plant was designed to be compatible
with sawmill production. Sophisticated equipment, such as high-speed moulding and precise finger joint
machines (FJ) were purchased and installed.
The secondary processing plant has a capacity for reprocessing around 40,000 m3/year of sawnwood.
The re manufactured products are decking, finger joint mouldings and panels, flooring and furniture
components. The value added products are predominantly export-oriented.
Particulate wood residues are burnt at boilers to generate thermal energy (steam), while large pieces
(shorts, trimmings, defective pieces, etc.), when possible, are reprocessed into FJ products. Those solid
residues that cannot be converted into FJ products are transformed into wood chips and sold at the local
market.
3.3 Third Phase – Power Plant
The third phase, currently under development, covers the establishment of a power plant based on wood
residues. The power plant was initially planned to be established during the construction of the sawmill, but
due to the involvement of an Independent Power Producer-IPP this investment was postponed.
The construction of the power plant will solve a problem faced by timber industries that operate in the
Amazon region: the lack of electricity and high cost of producing it based on diesel generators. At moment
all electricity is produced by diesel generator owned and operated by the Guavirá at a very high cost.
The power plant using wood residues will be based on a co-generation concept. High-pressure steam
used to produce electricity will be extracted from the turbines and used for the dry kilns.
The project will reduce drastically the cost of energy and, contribute to reduce environmental problem
caused inappropriate wood waste disposal and fossil fuel utilisation.
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It is expected that the power plant will be operating in the end of 2004.
Considering the 3 phases, the total investment in Guavirá’s industrial complex was around USD 12
million. About 50% of the total investment has been financed by National Bank for Economic and Social
Development-BNDES. This was the first financing granted by the BNDES to a tropical timber industry
operating in the Amazon region. BNDES has been using this project as a model to encourage the
development of timber industries in the Brazilian Amazon region.
Besides having financed the industrial facilities BNDES also financed the expansion of the plantations
as well as the expansion of the company’s social programme.
4.0 MARKET ISSUES
During the design of the strategy to restructure Guavirá’s operations, the company paid special attention on
market issues. The strategy was focused on the international market and on value-added products.
Before 2000, practically all Guavirá’s production was traded exclusively in the domestic market. Based
on the results of a market study carried out by a consulting company, it decided to invest in the international
market.
The strategy included missions to main consuming markets in USA and Europe to identify products,
distribution channels and clients. This work was carried out during the period of the new sawmill project
development and construction. With the start up of the new sawmill the exports started, and, already in 2002,
over 60% of Guavirá’s production was traded abroad. At the moment, only low grades and special products
are traded in the domestic market.
The market change was not an easy task. The company had to invest quite substantial amount to
identify markets, adjust products, and select distribution channels. This process took around 2 years, and
there still are some improvements to be made.
In spite of the difficulties the change in product (quality and type) and market made a significant
difference to Guavirá. The main effect was on average price that increased by more than 100% over the last
2-3 years. This made it possible to increase revenues even considering that production volume was slightly
reduced in the period.
In any case, Guavirá still operates, and intends to continue operating, in the domestic market, despite
the lower prices. In fact, the domestic market plays an important role as market for low-grade products. Even
with technological upgrade at the sawmill, as well as the establishment of secondary processing plant, a
certain part of the production is of low-grade products. In this case, the domestic market is the best option
for this type of product so far (general wood for construction).
Guavirá has an efficient sales planning integrated with forest and industrial operations. The integration
allows the productive process to be optimized, losses from the processing to be minimised and,
consequently, lower production costs to be reached. In deed, this aspect is another important component of
competitiveness for Guavirá.
5.0 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ISSUES
The reduction of jobs at the sawmill was compensated at the remanufacturing facilities and other activities
created as part of the company-restructuring programme.
An assessment made pointed out that the direct and indirect jobs were increased, salaries are now
higher and employees have now other benefits as parts of the incentive and quality programme
implemented by the company.
The general improvement in the social-economic of the region affected is basically a result of the
increase of revenue of Guavirá, made possible by changing the market and adding value.
6.0 GENERAL ASSESSMENT ON STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
In order to assess Guavirá’s strengths and weaknesses on SFM it was taking into consideration ITTO’s
Manual on Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Management of Natural Tropical Forests at Management
Unit Level. The assessment also considered other aspects involved, such as the investments in the
industrial developments and the performance of the company in the market over the last few years.
Brazil has an extensive and complex framework of laws, policies and regulations that support SFM.
This includes a clear definition of national objectives related to forests (production, conservation and
protection), tenure of property rights, control of forest management and harvesting and other elements. In
fact, Brazil is perhaps one of the countries in the world with the most complete regulatory framework dealing
with forests.
The complex legal framework, coupled with overlapping of regulations partly due to the on-going
decentralisation process creates, based on the experience of Guavirá, additional costs to companies
operating in the formal economy, and stimulates corruption and informality in the sector. At the same time,
law enforcement continues to be a problem, and the regulatory framework is not sufficiently stable, which
are important aspects in dealing with long term return investments.
In dealing with law enforcement prop

sustainable management of tropical forests private sector

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