Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta – Environmental organizations are at odds over a forest trade-in deal signed by the government and a number of forestry companies to enlarge a national park in Riau.

The trade-in deal backed by the global conservation organization WWF is an effort to expand the 38,000-hectare Tesso Nilo National Park to some 100,000 hectares. Forestry Minister M.S. Kaban recently accepted the trade, which would convert 52,000 hectares of forest into industrial forest in exchange for the inclusion of some 60,000 hectares of forest managed by several companies in an expanded park.

Greenomics Indonesia wants the government to revise the deal, calling it unfair and devastating and arguing that it threatens local people's access to the forests, which are rich in biodiversity. It also alleges the deal endangers rare species and the ecosystem of the conservation forest.

"We will raise the issue in international forums to show that the government has no commitment to protecting the environment and rare species," Greenomics executive director Elfian Effendi told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

The trade-in was proposed by WWF and Asia Pacific Resources International Holding Ltd (APRIL) – owned by Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper (RAPP) – representing three forest concession owners: PT Hutani Sola Lestari, Nanjak Makmur and Siak Raya Timber.

WWF proposed the park enlargement to save elephants and other rare species whose habitats have been converted into palm oil plantations and farms.

The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) agreed with Greenomics, saying it would campaign against WWF in the international arena and ask donor countries to suspend their financial aid to the organization.

Walhi said both the government and WWF had failed to consult local environmental groups before inking the deal.

With the trade-in, critics said, areas to be converted into industrial forests could no longer function as water catchments to supply water for locals and prevent floods in Riau and the neighboring provinces of Jambi and West Sumatra. The industrial forests around the park would also prevent locals from gathering wood and ingredients for herbal medicines from inside the park.

The WWF said the deal was spearheaded by the Forestry Ministry. "The trade-in proposal is a realistic and quick solution to save endangered wildlife in Riau," said WWF policy and advocacy director Nazir Foead.

He said WWF did approach the forest concession holders to secure part of their concession forest areas for the enlarged national park and "they came up with a proposal that was then finally accepted by the Forestry Ministry."

He defended the government's decision, saying it was unrealistic for the government and WWF to wait until the forest concessions expired in the next 20 years to enlarge the park. Some 200 elephants badly needed more space, he said, so as not to destroy local residents' farms and houses.