Aceh Forests Open for Exploitation

BANDA ACEH: Indonesian Ministry of Forestry MS Kaban has decided to restore forest concession (HPH) to 11 companies in Aceh to enable them supplies timbers needed for Aceh reconstruction.

The decision made after Kaban discuss the timber issues with Aceh and Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR) and Indonesian Forestry Company Association (APHI).

Head of Aceh Forestry Office, Mustafa Hasyibullah, revealed the ministry decision to Serambi Indonesian on Thursday. But he said the ministry decision didn’t infringe with Aceh government intention to make Aceh as a green province.

The ministry decision have to be made as so far timber supplier from other provinces, such as Riau and Kalimanta, hesitated to sent their timber due to higher cost. ‘’They are committed to supply timbers to Aceh but the cost of transportation is considered to high,’’ said Mustafa.

The ministry also agreed to increase timber quota for Aceh to 400,000 cubic meters for 2006. BRR estimated that in 2006 Aceh will need 850 cubic meters of timber.

The 11 companies that have forest concession have been invited to Jakarta to process their permit. But so far only one company has completed all the necessary requirements. The company is Koperasi Pondok Pesantren Najmussalam, a cooperative owned by an Islamic boarding school in Bireun district.

In 2000, Najmussalam used to have right to log 30,000 hectares of forest. Due to increasing conflict in the areas, the cooperative couldn’t execute its right. In August 2004 the cooperative extend its concession, but also couldn’t execute its right due to tsunami.

In its new proposal, Najmusallam asked for concession to log 11,000 hectares of forest in the coming years. But the ministry only agreed to provide 500 hectares to be logged each year. And the ministry so far only provides right to log the forest, while right to process the log into timbers has been agreed yet.

Another companies who already invited by the ministry are PT Lamuri timber, PT Alas Aceh Perkasa, PT Trijasa Mas Karya Inti, PT Aceh Inti Timber, PT Krueng SAkti, PT Wira Lanoa, PT Raja Garuda Mas, PT Gruti, and PT Hargas.

Courtesy: Serambi Indonesia