One such forest is PT Gunung Gajah Abadi, a forest concession in East-Kalimantan province, Indonesia (RA-FM/COC-007344 / FSC-C112585) which has recently achieved FSC certification. This forest practices reduced impact logging, safeguarding the habitat for such endangered species as Orangutan, Borneon gibbon, Sunda clouded leopard, Marbled cat, Leopard cat, and Helmeted hornbill.
“We undertook FSC certification based on demand of our main customer, PT. Kutai Timber Industries” explains Mr Soeyitno Soedirman, Director at PT Gunung Gajah Abadi. “Our company employs 115 workers, both technical and administrative staff, and has an annual log harvest area of 2,122 hectares with a production volume of 79,040 cu.m. roundwood (mixed hardwood species).”
Between 70% and 80% of total production volume is processed by PT. Kutai Timber Indonesia (Sumitomo Forestry), producing plywood mostly for the Japanese market. A lesser share (20% to 30%) of logs is processed in the company’s own sawmill for the domestic market.
Moreover, the concession shares borders with another FSC certified forest concession (PT Narkata Rimba), and with others still in process towards FSC certification, whereby a contiguous range of 253,000 hectares in total is sustained under natural forest cover.
PT Wijaya Sentosa, a forest concession based in the Indonesian region of Papua (SCS-FM/COC-005507 / FSC-C129203) has also recently become the first large scale forest operation in the world to achieve FSC certification for Merbau (Intsia bijuga, Intsia acuminate, and Intsia palembanica), a tropical timber popular in decking, flooring and outdoor furniture.
“We undertook FSC certification based on demand of our main customer” - Mr Soeyitno Soedirman
“It took strong determination to take all steps necessary to achieve FSC certification” explains Mr Sugijanto Soewadi, Director of PT Wijaya Sentosa, “but it helps us greatly to consolidate trade relations with our overseas buyers.”
PT Wijaya Sentosa employs 360 workers altogether. It produces 165,000 m3 of roundwood from an annual harvest area of 3,900 Ha. Production consists for 30% Merbau and the remaining 70% of logs mixed hardwood species mostly processed to become plywood by PT Sinar Wijaya Plywood Industries, located in Kepulauan Yapen District of Papua Province.
PT Wijaya Sentosa forest is prime habitat for Birds of Paradise as well as for various critically endangered cuscus species such as the Black spotted cuscus (Spilocuscus rufoniger) and the Biak spotted cuscus (Spilocuscus wilsoni).
“[Being FSC Certified] helps us greatly to consolidate trade relations with our overseas buyers.” - Mr Sugijanto Soewadi
Support from WWF and the Borneo Initiative
These companies have been supported in their certification journey by WWF Indonesia and The Borneo Initiative, a capacity building program aimed at boosting sustainable forest management capacity among forest concessions in Indonesia. PT Wijaya Sentosa hold the 18th FSC certificate facilitated under the initiative, which has now achieved1.7 million ha of FSC certified forests. Another 12 companies are still implementing the required steps towards FSC certification with support from The Borneo Initiative, which will hopefully bring the total to 3 million ha by the end of year 2016.
PT Wijaya Sentosa were also supported by their major customer, Australian household hardware chain Bunnings. WWF Australia’s Tim Cronin said “Wijaya Sentosa’s FSC achievement clearly illustrates the power of collaboration between suppliers and retailers to drive positive change though global supply chains. Sustainable forest management empowers communities whilst conserving biodiversity.”
Overall, there are now 21 forest companies with FSC certification in Indonesia, covering 2.1 million ha in total. Additionally, there are 7 forest plantations with FSC certification (198,546 ha) and 49 community groups (43,969 ha). There are another 3 holders of a FSC controlled wood certificate, with 2.4 million ha.
These examples of FSC forest certification emphasise the positive impact certification can have upon the natural habitat of endangered species. When people buy FSC certified products made from tropical timber grown in certified forest concessions such as PT Gunung Gajah Abadi and PT Wijaya Sentosa, they are not only supporting the creatures that live there, but the longevity of the forest itself, thus benefiting generations to come.
For further information on the Borneo Initiative, you can visit their website www.theborneoinitiative.org
You can also visit WWF's website by clicking here