Deforestation in Indonesia has become a growing concern among environmentally minded individuals.
According to a research report released by Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), 5.4 million hectares of forest were damaged by illegal logging in Indonesia between 2005 and 2009, which translated into monetary terms is equivalent to Rp 71.28 trillion in losses. What are actually the causes of the deforestation? Is it possible to avoid further deforestation? And what are the solutions to the problem? The following are views on the matter shared by individuals from different professional backgrounds.
Tantowi Yahya, a public figure, a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) from the Functional Group party (GOLKAR) and country and western singer.
Actually, the cause of deforestation in Indonesia is very simple, for instance it’s because of the huge demand for Indonesian timber that comes from Malaysia.
As long as there are rogue parties who still can play the field, the deforestation issue will remain. As it ages, the timber is more and more exotic and sexy, and over time becomes a priceless diamond, especially for Western people.
Regulations already exists, they are more than sufficient. What is lacking is supervision and law enforcement. If these things could be improved, deforestation will certainly drastically decrease. There should be strict monitoring and heavy penalties imposed on the perpetrators of illegal logging. Their punishment is still too light as there are still many illegal loggers who are not caught, or even if they are caught they get off easily or are given amnesty.
The Forestry Ministry is actually very committed to overcoming this problem, but they can’t work alone. They should work well with various parties, including the police, local government and courts.
Farwiza, a staff of Leuser Ecosystem Management Authority (BPKEL) Aceh, a non-structural government body assigned by the governor to conserve, protect and manage the Leuser ecosystem located within Aceh province.
A number of studies have pointed to several causes of deforestation specific to Indonesia, including a lack of strong law enforcement, overlapping regulations, weak monitoring capabilities, as well as a misguided paradigm on development that translates as “forest conservation will only restrict and limit our economic development.”
Contrary to common perceptions, the threats of local communities toward the forests are miniscule compared to the amount of destruction brought about by the big businesses, which somehow earn the support of the government. It’s easy to blame the government as the main cause of deforestation, but field experience has shown destructive land conversion is often a result of overlapping permits and land-use. Indonesia is not short of legislation, what we’re lacking is strong law enforcement.
If you ask what the real solution for deforestation issues in Indonesia is, it’s a one billion dollar question. There’s no silver bullet in this problem as it is a multidimensional problem.
The best guardians of the forest are the community who live with the forest, who directly benefit from the provision of water, clean air, pollination and pest control.
As for us, the “common” people, we have the power to drive deforestation or put an end to it. As consumers we can take action by becoming a smart consumer, identifying products we purchase and refuse to support destructive industries. With a relatively small amount of effort we can demand that a company carries out “best-practices” in forest management, we can choose to support one company over another.
One doesn’t have to be an activist to take part in forest conservation, a small step such as using recycled paper for your office needs and supporting companies that actually try to do good things in forest conservation is one progressive step we could all take.
Silverius Oscar Unggul, vice president of TELAPAK, an association of NGO activists, businesspeople, academics, media affiliates and leaders of indigenous people, fishers and farmers of Indonesia working toward sustainability, sovereignty and integrity.
The cause of forest destruction in Indonesia is because the common people have not been involved in forest resources management from the beginning. Then, the “commander” is purely just the economic approach that ignores local indigenous wisdom that has existed for decades.
Based on our experience, economic interests should not conflict with local wisdom, even amid today’s global development (climate change, etc.). Building a sustainable community with forest management based on local wisdom will be very beneficial, because the world market, especially Europe and the US are demanding the availability of “green” wood.
In order to reduce the rate of deforestation in the future, active community involvement is absolutely essential. It needs a mechanism whereby the public can obtain economic benefits but maintain the advanced principles of sustainability and local wisdom in managing its forest resources.
Nirwono Joga, an urban planning expert, chairman of the Indonesian Landscape Architecture Study Group.
Indonesia’s tropical forests’ being the world’s second largest after Brazil, has resulted in forests being viewed as commodities that can be exploited all out, with no regard for forest sustainability in the future.
The concept of sustainable development must be implemented consistently. Spatial plans that protect natural forests must be upheld. They should not get converted into plantations or mining activities. Changes in land use and violations of environmental management must be dealt with firmly by the government, without exception, such as illegal logging.
The government must view the forest as an asset and long-term domestic investment, which must be managed wisely and sustainably as capital for future generations. Surrounding communities should be involved in forest conservation. Forest flora and fauna can be developed into a laboratory for the pharmaceutical industry. Forest areas can be used for eco-tourism.
If the government succeeds in stopping illegal logging, controlling coal mining, reviewing the concept of oil palm plantations, and restoring natural forests, then the government will be remembered as environmental warriors, the savior of the earth.
Eva Kusuma Sundari, a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP)
Since the previous period of Commission III (overseeing law, human rights and security affairs), I have been concerned about the crimes of illegal logging and fishing that has caused Rp 40 trillion in losses for the government. This contributes to deforestation. It is regrettable that the previous period of Commission III failed to make strong and effective recommendations to stop illegal logging. Thus, politicians have downplayed the issue because they do not support the forest
preservation.
It is like the case of corruption in which weak law enforcement is the main cause. They have a conspiracy with criminals, coupled with weak leadership of the political elite. They [politicians] even benefit from illegal logging activities.
In my opinion, a solution to the problem is improving law enforcement and applying stronger political leadership. Reformation of legal institutions must be enhanced to combat the culture of corruption among officers.
The politics of development should also be shifted from a trading mentality with a short-sighted and money oriented view to an attitude that cares for the future generations.
On the other hand, people have to realize that the deforestation is a social issue that has a role in corruption with inter-generation effects. They have to be critical and smart to target offenders with a naming and shaming strategy.
My participation is still at a personal stage. I’m conducting an experiment with an NGO that addresses the climate change issue with an integrated farming concept on the edge of a forest area.
Unfortunately, the proposal was not approved by USAID though I am prepared to contribute land
in Tulungagung, East Java for the program.
At the State Financial Accountability Agency (BAKN), along with the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), we have explored the possibility of carrying out a responsive audit on the climate change issue. We are still in the preparation stage with the World Bank.
