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THE FINAL CUT
Illegal Logging in Indonesia's Orangutan Parks |
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Introduction
When staring into the eyes of our closest relatives, the Great Apes, innocence and wisdom is reflected back at our complicated lives. Gistok, a famous orangutan from Tanjung Puting National Park, would spend hours with visitors to the park - playing, watching, learning and teaching. His innocence was shattered when he disappeared, probably killed by illegal loggers. Perhaps the reflection in his eyes was too frightening. Indonesia has entered a period of great change and has the opportunity to move towards social and environmental justice. Many of its vast forests have already been wrecked by companies owned by the few businesses that benefited from collusion, corruption and nepotism during the Soeharto regime. Local people have been oppressed by these companies, often through the authoritarian apparatus of the police, army and forest department. Across Indonesia, the situation is so bad that illegal logging now outstrips legal timber production. It is no wonder that thousands of people have reacted to the current political void by taking the law into their own hands. But this is not a simple grassroots uprising, it is orchestrated by the very same people who have made their fortunes during the Soeharto era - timber barons who encourage this lawlessness for their own financial gain. EIA and Telepak's investigations have identified some of these people who must be dealt with immediately. Their factories and sawmills must be closed down and corrupt individuals in authority who protected them must be replaced. Immediate action is necessary by the government of Indonesia to stop the illegal logging of Tanjung Puting and Gunung Leuser National Parks. The international community, including the USA, the European Union, Japan, the IMF and World Bank should support such action and provide support for initiatives that give the local communities genuine benefits from these areas. This is an opportunity for the political elite and international donors to prove that they really believe in reform. It will take courage and determination as the people behind the illegal logging wield financial and political influence. EIA and Telepak actively encourage legislative changes that provide communities with greater benefits from the forestry sector and take it out of the hands of corrupt and arrogant timber barons and civil servants. Legitimate land claims by indigenous people must be addressed by returning the land to them or providing sufficient compensation. Gistok lived in the only protected area for orangutans in Central Kalimantan. Many local people still treasure its protected status and are horrified at the blatant lawlessness that now infects the area. In the Kluet Swamp in Sumatra people have genuine grievances, but the decimation of this unique area is driven by the same forces that created their problems. This report confirms beyond doubt that Indonesia's orangutans are being pushed ever closer to extinction. Both of the National Parks featured in this report can provide long term community support through their very uniqueness. They are part of the local heritage and of international significance. Tourism, research and their ability to attract innovative development programmes provide the local communities with a real opportunity for the future, but not if they continue to be destroyed. Indonesia has enormous areas given over to logging concessions - many of which are now under scrutiny. These areas can provide communities with long-term forestry income if the new government is prepared to break down the power elite control over them. The final cut of a chainsaw takes the last breath of life from the forest as the tree crashes through the undergrowth. Illegal logging in these National Parks is rapidly removing any future for the forest, its wildlife and the local communities. It serves only to fund the lavish lifestyles of the timber barons directing the destruction. Dave Currey EIA Director A. Ruwindrijarto Telepak Indonesia Director August 1999 |
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