Friday, June 10, 2005
Borneo's lowland forests may disappear
- Posted by Tom Kimmerer - 8:28:30 AM -
| When
I worked in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo, lowland forests
were being logged but were still extensive. The pictures show aerial
views of these vast forests during the flight from Jakarta to
Pontianak. At that time, Kalimantan still had over 80% of its lowland
forests, but they were under substantial pressure from logging and from
land clearance. The transmigrasi program, that moved large numbers of
Javanese families to Kalimantan increased the rate of conversion of
land from forest to agriculture. Forests were still extensive and
unbelievably diverse. Home to orangutans and proboscis monkeys as well
as a riot of plant species diversity, these forests are one of the
great biological treasures of the world. In a new report, the World Wildlife Fund says that less than 50% of the original lowland forests remain, and could be largely eliminated within 10 years. Rampant illegal logging, much of it at the behest of Malaysian operators is stripping the forests. At the same time, development pressures of a growing population of poor farmers is accelerating land conversion. Populations of organgutans and proboscis monkeys may no longer be sustainable in the wild. Forest fires, once a rarity, are now an annual occurance, often blanketing Southeast Asia in haze. Efforts are underway to persuade Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei to set aside vast reserves of montane and upland forests in central Borneo, but preservation of significant amounts of lowland forests appears unlikely. Illegal logging can be stopped, with concerted action. Thanks to vigorous efforts by Indonesians like my friend Herujono Hadisuparto of Universitas Tanjungpura, illegal log routes from Indonesia into Malaysia have been closed. However, corruption and poverty continue to work against efforts to stop illegal logging. Indonesia is now a democracy, and the central government is working hard to control corruption. However, unless Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei cooperate to enforce existing laws against illegal logging, and unless the international community acts to stop consuming illegally obtained wood, the clearing of lowland forests will not stop until the last tree is gone. Borneo is one of the world centers of biodiversity. Over 210 mammal species are found in Borneo, at least 45 of them found only on the island. A new fox species was reported last month. Between 1994 and 2004, over 361 new species have been identified, including 260 insects, 50 ploants, 30 fish, 7 frogs, 6 lizards, 5 crabs, 2 snakes and a toad. The vast majority of these species have been poorly studied and little is known of thier life history and conservation needs. Borneo is also an important economic treasure for Indonesia. Huge, by far the largest Indonesian island, rich in natural resources, and with tremendous potential for ecotourism and sustainable forestry, Borneo will either deteriorate further or remain as one of Earth's treasures. The Heart of Borneo project to preserve 1/4 of the central part of Borneo is critical to the island's future. |  Lowland forests of West Kalimantan in 1984. |
 Plywood mills along Landak river surrounded by lowland forests in 1984. | |
 Young orangutan in lowland forest in West Kalimantan |
- Posted by Tom Kimmerer - 8:28:30 AM -
