Combating Illegal Logging

Illegal logging is the single biggest threat to Sumatra's forest resources. If illegal logging is not stopped, Sumatra will eventually be stripped of its rainforests, causing irreversible damage to the environment and the people of Indonesia. Apart from our own unceasing efforts to stop illegal logging in our concessions and to guard our fiber supply against illegitimate sources, we have been actively participating in multi-stakeholder initiatives against illegal logging.

APRIL, together with WWF and the local government, helped to set up a multi-stakeholder task force to combat illegal logging in Riau. The task force has set up checkpoints, conducts patrols and apprehends illegal loggers in coordination with local authorities.

Recognising that we cannot prevent illegal logging on our own, we are committed to developing relationships with other key stakeholders, including WWF and local law enforcement authorities, in this drive to combat illegal logging.

In the 2005 International Dialogue on Illegal Logging led by The Forest Dialogue in Hong Kong, we called on all concerned stakeholders to support each other's initiatives as we are of the belief that only with concerted efforts among stakeholders can the problem of illegal logging be addressed. Speaking before 120 leaders from business, civil society and governments who gathered to pledge actions to combat illegal logging, Mr. A J Devanesan, APRIL President & COO, spoke on APRIL's experience in fighting illegal logging in the context of Indonesia's developing economy.

In 2005 we also participated in the Timber Theft Prevention Experts Meeting organized by the World Bank to identify practical guidelines for policy decision makers and forestry professionals on eliminating illegal logging. The discussions covered regulatory requirements for explicit security planning, security training and education for regulators and resource managers, and establishment of hotlines and other complaint-reporting mechanisms.

Taking the matter beyond the discussion halls, we continue to carry out security actions against illegal logging along the Ukui-Gondai Access Road, located on the eastern boundary of the Tesso Nilo Forest in Riau. Working together with the Task Force that includes WWF Indonesia and concerned Government authorities, strategic checkpoints and composite patrols are organized, reinforced by the blocking or cutting off of access roads used by illegal loggers.

Despite protest actions and even threats of use of force against our company from the illegal loggers, we remain unfazed and firm with our resolve to help combat illegal logging in this region. We understand that economic necessity generally underlies the proliferation of this illegal activity.

APRIL generates 30 permanent jobs for each 100 ha managed. This means that we have created more than 70,000 new jobs in Riau. Our operations offer a legitimate livelihood to people who might have been previously engaged in illegal logging. We are committed to continuing this education and empowerment initiative as part of our drive against illegal logging.