Chaidir Anwar Tanjung, Pekanbaru – Protected forests at Bukit Suligi in Kampar regency, Riau province on Sumatra's west coast, are being plundered without local authorities lifting a finger and even supporting the illegal industry. Latest estimates put losses in excess of Rp 152 billion (US$18.24 million) in lost government revenue from reforestation fees and environmental damage alone.
The problem of illegal logging has been long acknowledged as a major problem in Riau, a resource rich province which has lately seen the emergence of a pro-independence movement. The movement was primarily motivated by a desire to keep revenues from resources in Riau. The provincial government only received 2% of the $8.4 billion in revenues it sent to Jakarta last year. Per capita income in the province stands at only $500 despite the fact that the Caltex refinery alone produces more than the entire output of Brunei.
Forest resources are also extensive. In terms of forest cover, Riau covers the fourth largest area in Indonesia. The Bukit Suligi area, 150 kms from the capital Pekanbaru, alone covers 30,000 hectares. It is estimated 5,000 hectares have been stolen and that in 5 years the forest there will be gutted beyond recognition.
"The theft of Riau's protected forests is plain for all to see. The forestry authorities close their eyes. Crooked members of the apparatus are involved and back up the theft. In 5 years time, the forest will be totally destroyed," said Andreas Hery Khahurifan of the Indonesian Forest Research Foundation (LPBI) when contacted by Detik, Sunday.
From investigations undertaken by the Foundation, the state has not been able to claim reforestation compensation, usually extracted at a set amount per hectare from companies holding forest rights, to the tune of Rp 54 billion (US$ 6.48 million). They also estimate the environmental damages to the state at Rp 98 billion (US$ 11.76 million).
"I will never stop wondering why the thieves have never been caught in the act," Andreas said distressed. "The creatures and plants are dying out because of the plundering of these thieves," he added.
Besides the immediate destruction, the most frustrating thing was the fact that the forests had not been developed for environmental tourism considering that they are home to Sumatra's rare tiger, various kinds of deer, monkeys, butterflies and other amazing flora and fauna.
There were also waterfalls, hot natural springs, active volcanoes and beautiful little lakes and rivers. The flowers, he said, were truly breathtaking and grew wild in abundance. "It won't take long, and all this natural beauty will be utterly ravaged," Andreas said.
In Riau there are currently around 60 companies with forestry concession rights and many hundreds more with wood felling permits, a small-scale version.
The problem, however, is not only keeping an eye on these companies with numerous outposts in often remote areas. The main problem was the sheer size of Riau's forests – remaining forests cover an estimated 7 million hectares.
Officially, around 2.5 million cubic meters of wood is logged per year by companies holding permits but the demand for wood reaches around 10 million cubic hectares, fuelling the illegal trade and creating underground supply avenues.
"In this kind of situation, where demand outstrips supply the plundering of wood resources is arbitrary and driven by greed. It can no longer be pushed under the carpet, if indeed the two pulp factories in Riau, PT Riau Andalan Pulp&Paper (RAPP) and Indah Kiat Pulp&Paper, are accepting the stolen wood. I'm sure at this stage that the theft will only stop when Riau has been stripped bear," said Andreas bitterly.