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WORLDWIDE FOREST/BIODIVERSITY CAMPAIGN NEWS

Indonesian Forest Crisis Hits Orangutans

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Forest Networking a Project of Ecological Enterprises

http://forests.org/ -- Forest Conservation Archives

http://forests.org/web/ -- Discuss Forest Conservation

11/24/98

OVERVIEW & COMMENTARY by EE

The rapid decline of orangutan populations is indicative of the very

sharp diminishment of the Indonesian forest ecosystem. Up to 80% of

the orangutans' habitat has been lost in the last 20 years. The

astonishing and parallel economic decline is also entwined, as

unsustainable resource liquidation fueled an artificially high period

of economic growth, which has now trailed off. The ability of the

population to enjoy the benefits of intact ecosystems has largely been

lost, along with the hopes of sustainably managing what had been a

tremendous forest resource base. Other countries with remaining

expansive forested areas would be well served to study the history of

boom and bust forest development that has played itself out repeatedly

worldwide.

g.b.

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Title: INDONESIA: Forest Crisis Hits Orangutans

Source: Rainforest Information Centre (http://forests.org/ric/)

Summary of Environmental Investigation Agency report

Status: Distribute freely credited to sources

Date: November 23, 1998

A new report by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) warns

that orangutans face possible extinction within 20 years. Habitat

destruction is the primary threat to their survival and the EIA has

called on the new Indonesian government to implement immediately its

International Orangutan Conservation Action Plan. Widespread

corruption among the Indonesian elite is a major barrier to the

success of the EIA's action plan. Logging, land conversion for palm

oil plantations, and mega-development projects are the main threats to

Indonesian forests, and corruption is rife in all these areas.

Campaigns to save "charismatic megafauna" like orangutans are an

integral part of the wider campaign to protect forests because the

survival of animals like orangutans is not possible unless their

habitat survives.

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The EIA's 52-page report, The Politics of Extinction: The Orangutan

Crisis and the Destruction of Indonesia's Forests, found

that:

* The wild orangutan population has declined by up to 50% in the last

decade. In is now estimated that 15-25,000 orangutans survive

in the wild. Over 80% of them are found in Kalimantan and Sumatra.

* Up to 80% of the orangutans' habitat has been lost in the last 20

years.

* Government-backed conversion of forests for commercial logging and

plantations caused the devastating fires of 1997-8.

* Orangutans are also threatened by capture for the pet trade,

persecution as agricultural pests and poaching for food.

* Indonesia,s 100 million hectares of forests represent 10% of the

world's remaining tropical forest cover.

* Over 70% of Indonesia's "frontier" forest (displaying original

ecological features) has been lost.

* Indonesia is losing about 1 million hectares of forest annually.

* Indonesia has the world's longest list of species threatened with

extinction, including the sumatran tiger, Asian elephant, Sumatran

and Javan rhino, clouded leopard, sunbear and orangutan. Habitat

destruction is driving the species decline.

The report examines the corruption and nepotism in the timber industry

and the palm oil industry. It also discusses the infamous Kalimantan

mega-rice project (see WRR 39) and the causes of the forest fires.

The International Orangutan Action Plan calls for:

* Full implementation of Indonesia's laws regarding the protection of

forests and orangutans

*A National Board for Wildlife chaired by the environment minister and

involving NGOs biologists, ecologists and community leaders.

* International financial institutions to ensure that investments and

aid are dependent on strict environmental, social and economic

conditions.

* The elimination of illegal logging, land conversion and the use of

fire for land clearance.

* An urgent assessment of the socio-economic and environmental value

of non-wood forest products.

* Measures to protect forests, including the extension of protected

forests to cover at least 15% of the country's ecologically

representative forests, a review of forestry practices, the promotion

of independent forest certification schemes.

* Wealthy nations to acknowledge the heavy responsibility they have to

provide aid and assistance for these measures.

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Source: The EIA's report, The Politics of Extinction: The Orangutan

Crisis and the Destruction of Indonesia's Forests

Contacts: EIA in the UK: 69 Old St., London EC1V 9HX, tel: 0171 490

7040 fax: 0171 490 0436 email: eiauk@gn.apc.org

EIA in the USA: PO Box 53343, Washington DC 20000, tel: 202 483 6621

fax: 202 483 6625 email: eiaus@igc.apc.org

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