PERMANENT COMMITTEE ON REFORESTATION AND FOREST MANAGEMENT Sixth Session Denpasar, Bali. Indonesia 16 - 23 May 1990

Dist. RESTRICTED PCF(VI)/15 2 April 1990 Original: ENGLISH

REPORT ON PROJECT PD 17/87 (F)

INVESTIGATION OF THE STEPS NEEDED TO REHABILITATE

THE AREAS OF EAST KALIMANTAN SERIOUSLY AFFECTED BY FIRE

Prepared by Deutsche Forstservice GmbH

Federal Republic of Germany

FR-Project IlTO

Investigation of the Steps Needed to Rehabilitate the Areas of East Kalimantan

Seriously Affected by Fire

BPPK

GTZ-PN: 38.3021.3 -11.000

ITTO: PD 17/87 (F)

Brief Summary

w. Schindele

FR-Report No. 1

1989

DFS

2

Contents

Preface

1. Objectives and Methodology of the Study

2. The Effects of the 1982/83 Forest Fire

2.1 The 1982/83 Forest Fire in East Kalimantan

2.2 The Effects of the Fire on Vegetation

2.3 Side Effects of the Forest Fire

2.4 Damage Evaluation

3. Necessary Actions

3.1 Fire Prevention

3.2 Forest Rehabilitation

3.2.1 The Plan of Action

3.2.2 The Pilot Project

3.2.3 The Demonstration Area

4. Conclusions

Annex

List of FR-Reports

List of Tables

Table 2-1: Distribution of vegetation classes

Table 3-1: Distribution of rehabilitation classes

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Preface

The present report is a brief summary of the study "Investigation of the Steps Needed

to Rehabilitate the Areas of East Kalimantan Seriously Affected by Fire".

The study consists of twelve individual reports assembling information on the various

effects of the fire, the resulting damage and proposals for rehabilitation. These are

listed in the annex. The main reports consist of FR-Reports No. 5 and 6.

If is the scope of this report to give a brief analysis of the forest fire 1982/83 in East

Kalimantan. The fire's effects as well as the necessary steps for the rehabilitation of the

forest will also be handled.

The study was conducted by the Forest Research Institute, Samarinda on behalf of the

Agency for Research and Development, Ministry of Forestry, Government of

Indonesia.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH was

charged with the implementation of technical assistance. On behalf of the GTZ, the

DFS Deutsc;he Forstinventur Service GmbH carried out the study.

The project was jointly financed by IITO International Tropical Timber Organization

and the Government of Indonesia.

4

1. Objectives and Methodology of the Study

In 1982/83 a serious drought affected Southeast Asia. This drought was followed by

extense forest fires which damaged 2.7 million ha of tropical rainforest in the Middle

Mahakam Area of East Kalimantan.

It was the scope of the study to assess the damage caused by the fire and to evaluate

it's effects on vegetation, livelihood of the people, soil, wildlife, fishery and hydrology.

Based on this information, the steps necessary for the rehabilitation of the damaged

forests should be investigated with the development objectives (ITTO, 1988): To

rehabilitate a valuable forest resource which has been seriously damaged by natural

disaster; to improve its capacity to provide a sustained yield of timber; to restore its

environmental values; and to derive lessons from this experience which may be

valuable elsewhere.

In order to gain the necessary information, the following methodology was applied:

• The area affected by fire was determined by interpretation of Landsat MSS satellite

imagery which was taken immediately after the fire· (vegetation .classification map

1:250000).

- .. The present condition of the vegetation was assessed with the help of a

reconnaissance forest inventory, which gave preCise information on species

diversity, standing crop, health condition and the potential for natural regeneration.

Additionally, stand parameters, soil and site were assessed. (FR-Report No.2 and

4). The delineation of different vegetation classes was carried out based on the

following remote sensing data: Landsat MSS (1987), SPOT imagery (1987/88/89),

and video remote sensing data (FR-Report No.5, vegetation classification map

1 :250000).

• The side effects of the forest fire (wildlife, livelihood of the people, fishery, hydrology,

soil) were determined based on special studies, which were implemented by short

term experts (FR-Report No.7,a,9 and 11).

• The definition of the steps necessary for forest rehabilitation was based on the

technical and economic feasibility under strong consideration of the ecological and

environmental aspects. Present land use, land-use plans and other planning

considerations were taken into account (FR-Reports No.3,6,1 0 and 12, forest

rehabilitation map, 1 :250 000).

5

2. The Effects·of the·1982/83 Forest Fire

2.1 The 1982/83 Forest Fire in East Kalimantan

The forest fire of 1982/83 was caused by a serious drought which affected the whole

Southeast Asian region. This drought was associated with the southern oscillation of El

Nino, a current of the Pacific Ocean. The El Nino event shows a periodicity of 3 to 5

years with a peak in severity every 80 to 100 years and there. is evidence that it has

alwaxs been associated with droughts in the Southeast Asian region.

The reason why forest fires of this extent haven't occurred previously in East

Kalimantan is, that undisturbed primary forests in the tropics have adapted to short

drought periods because of their water retention capacity. Furthermore, they are not

easily flammable, because of the lack of ground vegetation. When fires do occur, they

are of low intenSity and affect only the lower storey.

The logging of tropical forests, which started in East Kalimantan around 1970 changed

the forest structure. The canopy was opened, highly combustible logging waste

accumulated on the ground and secondary growth of pioneer species sometimes

formed a dense understorey. The change of the forest structure resulted in a reduced

water retention capacity Oncreased drought sensitivity) and the accumulation of

logging waste and the dense undergrowth made the forests highly combustible.

The increased population density in the hinterland, favoured by the migration of

settlers along logging roads and the transmigration programme led to an increase of

shifting cultivation activity in former undisturbed areas. While the drought in

combination with the changed forest structure prepared the ground for the fire, the

shifting cultivation and other land clearing activities were responsible for the actual

combustion.

As it would be an illusion to assume that shifting cultivation can be stopped in the near

future, and keeping in mind that future droughts will return periodically, the risk of

future forest fires is obvious. Forests which have been affected by fire are much more

sensitive to drought; particularly the moderately and heavily disturbed areas are very

easily combustible. Future forest fires will be hotter, spread much faster and will cause

greater damage than the fire of 1982/83. Repeated fires, however, will lead to a

dramatic change in vegetation, from the former more or less fire-free ecosystem of a

tropical rainforest to that of a fire dependent ecosystem of alang alang (Imperata

cy/indrica) grassland. The need for fire prevention and forest rehabilitation is obvious.

6

2.2 The Effects ofthe Fire on Vegetation

The effects of the forest fire on vegetation are described in detail in FR-Report No.5.

Depending on the forest condition before the fire, the specific site (topography and

soil) and the climatic condition (wind force, precipitation) at the time of the fire different

degrees of damage were caused. In primary forests not very seriously affected by

drought the fire intensity was low, thus affecting only the lower and part of the middle

storey.

Forests more seriosly affected by drought as well as logged over forests, where

logging had already been carried out several years beforehand, were mainly affected

in the middle storey and part of the canopy trees (mainly cull trees) were killed.

Fo~ests which had been logged over shortly before the fire suffered heavily from"

drought and, together with heath forests, part of the peat swamp forests and forests on

limestone hills and rocks, they were almost completely destroyed.

Now, seven years after the fire, natura' succession has prompted different type of

forest vegetation. From pure secondary growth of pioneer species (Macaranga spp.

etG:) under a completely dead upper storey, (heavily disturbed forests), to dominating

secondary growth with a reduced number of canopy trees of dipterocarps and

spotwise occurence of nat. regeneration (moderately disturbed forests) to forest

stands with an almost intact upper storey and areawise natural regeneration of

dipterocarps (lightly disturbed forests), all stages of succession have occured. The

interpretation of remote senSing data from 1987 to 1989 (SPOT, Landsat, video remote

sensing) gave the following distribution of vegetationplasses:

------------------------------- -

7

Table 2-1: Distribution of vegetation classes

Vegetation Classification Area in Burnt Unburnt

(1000 ha) (%) (%) (%)

Undisturbed Forests 410 9 11 89 Ughtly Disturbed Forests 1096 23 58 42

Moderately Disturbed Forests 984 21 84 16

Heavily Disturbed Forests 727 15 88 12 Plantations 1) 27 1 96 4

Total Lowland Forests 3244 69 67 33

Kerangas Forest 40 1 45 55

limestone Hills & Rocks 43 1 56 44

Undisturbed Swamp Forests 181 4 17 83 Disturbed Swamp Forests 385 8 97 3 Open Swamps (Brush etc.) 110 2 82 18

Brackish Swamps 22 0 23 77

Tidal Forests 41 1 0 100

Total Forest Vegetation 4066 86 67 33

Shifting Cultivation2) 387 8 85 15 Perm. Cultivated Areas, Settlements 213 5 69 31 Water Surface (Lakes and Rivers) 67 1 0 100

Total Other Land-use 667 14 793) 21

Total Mapped Area 4733 100 67 33

1) Means that 96 % of the area which were plantations in 1988 (SPOT) were burnt

areas in 1983; it does not mean that 96 % of the plantations were burnt. 2) For shifting cultivation same as 1)

3) Excluding water surface

8

The categories lightly, moderately and heavily disturbed forests also include the

damage caused by drought and logging.

The time discrepancy existing between the time of the fire (1982/83) and the

classification of the vegetation (1989) must be kept in mind.

The forest fire caused a change in species diversity. With increasing fire intensity,

species diversity was reduced and species composition was changed in favour of the ..

economic unvaluable pioneer species mainly of the family Euphorbiaceae.

Furthermore, the structure of the forest was changed from a multi storey stand of the

tropical rainforest to a single storey stand of the secondary growth of pioneer species.

Depending on the degree of damage, natural succession will take approximately

between 30 to 500 years to establish a tropical rainforest ecosystem again, if there is

no further disturbance by fire.

From· the ecological viewpoint, rehabilitation is recommendedih heavily disturbed

forests on sites, where rehabilitation is feasible from the technical viewpoint.

Considering economic aspects, rehabilitation should be carried out, a priOri, In

moderately and heavily disturqed forests on productive sites, where accessibility can

be justified. Ught/y disturbed forests should be rehabilitated where they are already

acc.essible.

Rehabilitation of the disturbed forests is technically feasible, but there is still high

demand for further research and the development of economic sound and practically

orientedsilvicultural models.

9

2.3 Side Effects of the Forest Fire

The side effects 01 the forest fire are discussed in detail in the following reports:

- livelihood of people:

- soil:

- wildlife:

- fishery and· hydrology:

- forest industry and log market:

Livelihood of people

FR-Reports No.9 and 11

FR-Report No.5

FR-Report No.?

FR-Report No.8

FR-Report No.12

During the time of drought and fire in 1982/83, the livelihood of the people was also

considerably affected. The drought created shortages in the food supply; most of the

crops died. Drinking water became short in supply and could only be obtained from

wells. Only food aid by the Indonesian government could avoid hunger and starvation.

Local transportation, which is based on waterways in remote areas, was disrupted and

many villages were isolated for several months. Also, local aviation came to a

complete standstill, resulting from the thick, smokeyhaze.

The acrid smoke also caused considerable eye and throat irritations and other related

discomforts. Casualities, however, were not reported . .,;'.

Aside from these direct effects, drought and fire also affected the livelihood of people

indirectly, especially during the first years after the fire. The reduction of soil fertility was

reported by most of the local population and transmigrants as the most serious long

lasting effect of the fire. This is due to the increased rate of erosion. Additionally, crop

production was badly affected through the presence of animal pests, especially pigs,

monkeys and birds, which, in search of food, intruded the gardens and fields of the

people. Also, insect pests were reported during the first year after the fire.

Minor forest products like rattan, resin and gharu were also badly affected by fire and

the collection of these became much more difficult. On the other hand, hunting and

fishing became easier during the first years after the fire.

10

Soil and nutrient cycle

The soils of East Kalimantan are generally low in nutrients. The richness of the tropical

rainforest is based on the fact that the soils are almost exempted from the nutrient

cycle. Extremely high species diversity, the specification of mycorrhiza fungi, which

makes nutrients available for specific species, and the multi storey structure of the

tropical rainforest are the solutions provided by nature to overcome the lack of

nutrients. The few nutrients available are stored in the thin layer of the topsoil.

The most obvious and spectacular effects of the fire on the soil are based on the

interaction of soil and vegetation and are directly linked with changes of vegetation

composition and diversity. Disturbances in the vegetation cover result in accelerated

soil erosion, compaction due to the decrease of large roots and soil fauna activity,

leaching and depletion due to accumulation of rainwater and surface runoff, and finally

in the alteration of physical and chemical properties. These indirect effects are both

immediate and cumulative long term.

Fire, on the other hand, affects the soil directly through high temperature during

burning and, if the surface soil is desicated, through destruction and loss of organic

matter. These immediate and direct effects contribute to accelerated erosion, influence

water infiltration and water retention capacity which in turn affects faunal and floral

composition. These direct effects of the fire are intermediate and cumulative long term.

Beside these effects on the soil, the effects on the nutrient cycle are even worse.

Especially in forests where fire intensity was high, the nutrient cycle was badly affected.

The decomposer population, mainly microorganisms and mycorrhiza fungi, which live

in the topsoil, were partly destroyed. Also, where the host plants (there is a strong

relation between mycorrhiza fungi and plant species) were killed, the mycorrhiza

vanished. This affects the rate of decomposition and also the growth of the following

plant generation. Another very serious effect of the fire was the release of nutrients

stored in the plant biomass. A high proportion of these nutrients were lost due to

increased water run-off and erosion.

It can be concluded, that the forest fire had a negative impact on soil conditions. The

initial release of nutrients by the fire could not be stored and was washed out by rain.

1.1.

; :'. ~

Wildlife

The fire affected wildlife both directly and indirectly. Most of the mammals and reptiles

(snakes) were able to escape the fire. Birds, however suffered heavily from smoke and

heat exposure and many of them died. Amphibians, leeches and crocodiles suffered

heavily from the drought and fire. The crocodile population in the swamp has not been

able to recover until today.

Yet, even more severe than the direct effects were the changes in habitat. These

changes have been most dramatic in the burnt peat swamp forest where the forest

cover was completely destroyed.

Also, during the time it took for natural succession to form secondary vegetation, most

animals (pigs, monkeys and birds) suffered from food shortages and became

agricultural pests through their intrusion into fields and gardens in search of food.

The long lasting habitat changes also forced most of the mammal population,

, especially those feeding on a special kind of food, to change their diet (monk-eys) or to

emigrate (fruit bats).

However, after secondary growth had become established, conditions for some of the

animal population became much more favourable. The response to this positive

change was marked by an increase in their population.

Fishery and Hydrology

The drought of 1982/83 caused dramatic changes in the fluctuation of the water table.

Many of the large lakes of the Mahakam River Basin completely dried up and could

even be crossed by motorbikes. Furthermore, the water table of smaller rivers was

considerably reduced, making even local transportation with Kentinting impossible.

The heavy rains following the forest fire fel/ on bare soil and washed away ash, burnt

twigs, branches and other debris, causing changes in water quality. The heavy soil

erosion also increased the sedimentation rate of rivers and lakes considerably.

In addition to these more direct effects on hydrology, the longer lasting effects caused

by the reduced water retention capacity of the secondary forests resulting in a more

immediate response of water table fluctuation on precipitation rate (loss of buffer

effect) and on increased sedimentation, are even worse.

12

The fish population is accustomed to seasonal changes in the water table; during dry

spells blackfish migrate to swamp forests, while whitefish migrate into large rivers

when the water table in the lakes drops.

Blackfish were affected directly by the drought and by the fire through destruction of

their refuge, the swamp forest. However, the blackfish population today has since

recovered.

Whitefish were affected more directly. During the drought, agricultural production was

considerably reduced. When th.e whitefish fled from the lakes into the larger rivers, they

were caught in large numbers, favoured by the low water table in the rivers. As

overfishing since then has continued uninterrupted, the whitefish population has not

been able to recover their previous numbers.

13

Forest Products Industry and Log Market

During the period from 1982 to 1983 the number of operating concessionaires

dropped from 65 to 59. This decline could be a result of the fire as well as that of the

log export ban. Anticipated log shortages did not develop because concession

holders presumably had enough reserve areas from which to produce sound logs. The

salvaging of partly burnt and dead timber was generally impossible due to its location

in areas not immediately accessible. However, the results of the inventory indicate that

extensive relogging has very likely taken place, including formerly non-commercial

species and lower grades.

Today, most logs are produced in the unburnt areas or in areas which were only lightly

disturbed. The transport distance to the timber industry has, therefore, considerably

increased while the average diameter and quality of the logs has decreased. Even the

import of timber from Irian Jaya to the timber industries of Samarinda has started. The

loss of 2.7 million ha of forests has considerable long term effects on the timber

industry.

In 1993 most of the concession contracts in the burnt area will expire. Only a few of the

present concession holder~ are interested in extending their concession, especially

those, who are located in areas of less disturbance or where there is still a potential for

logging. However, most of the applications for new concessions are made for the

establishment of fast growing timber plantations (which will, with only a few

exceptions, not be economically feasible).

The problem faced with today is, what to do with the burnt areas and how to protect

them from uncontrolled felling, clearing and shifting cultivation. A further question

deals with how to go about rehabilitating these forests.

14

'}

2.4 Damage Evaluation

The evaluation of the economic damage caused by the drought and fire has been

treated in FR-Report No. 5.

Based on the results of the forest inventory in comparison with data from previous

inventories and stand assessments, the economic damage has been estimated as

follows:

Timber loss in high forest

Timber loss in swamp forest

Non-timber values

Total damage

US$ 7.981 billion

US$ 0.348 billion

US$ 0.373 billion

US$ 8.702 billion

If the costs for rehabilitation of the disturbed forests are included, the total cost to the

national eC0nomy is approximately:

US$ 9.075 billion.

15

3. Necessary Actions

Two courses of action are urgently required. First, protection of the forest areas of East

Kalimantan from further forest fires and, second, rehabilitation of the disturbed forest

areas out of economic and ecological reasons. Without immediate and active

measures, the forests may disappear and a valuable productive resource will be lost; a

very serious damage to national economy.

3~1 Fire Prevention

The steps necessary for further fire prevention are discussed in detail in FR-Report

No.S.

The most important activities necessary to prevent forest fires are:

Introduction of community forestry; .: .. -

- establishment of permanent forest stations; and

- establishment of a forest fire control service.

Community forestry

In order to prevent future forest fires people usiQgfire_ for land clearing must be made

aware of the destructive effects of fire to the environment and become convinced that

fire is limited to the areas, which should be cleared. The best way to reach these aims

are through intensive extension work and the introduction of community forestry.

The creation of agroforestry schemes between the village fields and the adjacent

forest, as well as the granting of the right to utilize the forests surrounding the villages

and transmigration settlements to the respective communities would serve as a shelter

belt and buffer zone. Who would enjoy seeing his forest garden and forest, in which he

has already invested time and money, go up in flames?

Establishment of permanent forest stations

Only the permanent control of forest areas and the management of these based on

natural forest management systems can avoid illegal felling and further destruction

through shifting cultivation. If the forest can compete in its production with other land

16

use systems its protection can be justified in the eyes of the local population. Natural

forest management could present an alternative land use for many of the local

population.

Permanent control of the forests could, furthermore, allow forest fires to be

extinguished or at least controlled during their initial stage.

Establishment of a forest fire control service

The establishment of a forest fire control service should contain the following

components:

- Early warning;

• preventive actions; and

• emergency mobile fire fighting force.

Early warning should be carried out based on field observations and via sate lite

imagery interpretation. Additionally, a fire risk map should be elaborated. Radio

campaigns, legal regulations and enforcement strategies (prohibition of the use of fire

for land clearing during high risk periods) should help to avoid the outbreak of fire from

the onset.

Preventive actions include intensive extension work, the application of fire prevention

. measures,such as establishing fire breaks between fields and adjacent forests,

planting fire resistant plants and the instruction of people in the use of fire control

measures.

At the village level a sufficient large number of people should be trained in fire fighting

to qualify them in extinguishing small, resurgent fires. At the provincial level a small

effectively trained and well-equipped professional unit ready for immediate action in

case of a large scale fire should be formed.

17

3.2 Forest Rehabilitation

The project has prepared a forest rehabilitation map at scale 1 :250 000 showing the

areas in need of rehabilitation according to intensity and priority of rehabilitation. Land .

use, land use plans and other planning considerations were considered.

The approach for rehabilitation is described in detail in FR-Report No.S (Plan of

Action). A proposal for a pilot on forest rehabilitation is given in FR-Report No.10 and

the establishment of a demonstration area is proposed in FR-Report No.3. While the

pilot project should develop strategies for the rehabilitation of disturbed forest of

different types and prove the economic feasibility via large scale implementation, the

demonstration area should show the methodology of rehabilitation and the various

technical solutions on an area of about 1000 ha in a forest area near Balikpapan to

foresters, scientists and concessionaires.

18

3.2.1 The Plan of Action

Aside from the ecological aspect, the rehabilitation of disturbed forests is also justified

from the economic viewpoint. The total, nonrecurring costs for rehabilitation of about

US$ 352 million would stimulate an annual timber production valued at US$ 192

million. The need for rehabilitation is obvious.

The definition of the rehabilitation areas and classes was based on existing land use

and land use plans and other planning considerations. Present condition of vegetation,

forest concensus, site capability and accessibility were also taken into account. The

areas in need of rehabilitation, as outlined in the forest rehabilitation map, are the

following:

19

Table 3-1: Distribution of rehabilitation classes

Permanent forest land (according to TGHK)

No rehabilitation:

NRn: Not neccessary (primary forests)

NRs,a: Not economic (site, access)

NRp: Other forest status (e.g. National park)

Timber plantations

Rehabilitation:

NS: Natural-succession

Ill: ',. Rehabilitation -class III

11: Rehabilitation class 11

I: Rehabilitation class I

CC: Change to conversion

Non pennanent forest land (according to TGHK)

transmigration areas

Areas for agricultural development

Unclassified areas (existing shifting cult.,

s~ttlements,areas suitable for agric., etc.)

Change to permanent forest land:

CP-NRn:

CP-3:

CP-2:

CP-1:

CP-NS:

CP-NR:

Total Area

Rehabilitation not necessary

Rehabilitation class 111

Rehabilitation class 11

Rehabilitation class I

Natural succession

No rehabilitation (no active change)

2500000 ha

348000 ha

258000 ha

364000 ha

307000 ha

225000 ha

397000 ha

272000 ha

169000 ha

160000 ha

2233000 ha

266000 ha

92000 ha

1 008000 ha

158000 ha

229000 ha

69000 ha

19000 ha

76000 ha

316000 ha

4733000 ha

20

Areas in need of active rehabilitation measures were subdivided into three categories

according to intensity of input and priority:

Rehabilitation class I:

Heavily disturbed forests on productive and accessible sites gain highest priority for

rehabilitation. Management option should be natural forest management, while HTI

(industrial timber plantations) could be established only on very fertile sites. Planting,

tending and weeding operations predominate, making this rehabilitation class very

cost and labour intensive.

Rehabilitation class 11:

The rehabilitation of moderat\~ly disturbed forests on productive sites requires

considerable input of manpower and investment. Management option is natural forest

management. Areawise enrichment planting with valuable local species (dipterocarps)

and promotion of natural regeneration, together with weeding and tending. are typical

silvicultural operations.

Rehabilitation class Ill:

Ughtly disturbed forests on productive sites should be rehabilitated if they are already

well accessible. Promotion of natural regeneration and timber stand improvement

activities are necessary silvicultural operations. Investment costs are comparatively

low.

It is also proposed carrying out an exchange of land between conversion forest and

permanent forest land:. All areas suitable for agricultural production within the

permanent forest area should be changed to conversion forest, while all forests of

good condition on productive sites within the conversion forest area should be

changed to permanent forest area.

This land exchange would lead to an increase of the permanent forest area (within the

study area) from 53 % to 61 %. If all the areas within the conversion forest which are

unsuitable for agricultural production would be changed to permanent forest, the ratio

would be: 68 % permanent forest, 39 % conversion forest. This seems to be adequate

for this climatic region.

---------~--------------~------~-----------

21

Implementation of rehabilitation

Aside from agroforestry schemes' and HTI, which will occupy only a fraction of the

concerned area, natural forest management is the dominating management system

proposed.

This system tries to produce timber in natural forests without changing its structure.

Species: diversity· is high and the forest can still fulfill all its. ecological and

environmental functions.' Rehabiiitation with the target of future natural forest

management has to aim at the establishment of multi structered stands of various local

species.

Rehabiiitation should be carried out by permanent management units at a size of

30 000 to 50 000 ha. Rehabilitation is not a one time job. It requires periodically

repeated silvicultural operations like tending and weeding followed by stand

improvement operations under the natural forest management system. Rehabilitation

and management have to consider the present condition of the forest and the

particular site and should be carried out based on management plans {including forest

inventory and site mapping}.

Depending on the status of the concerned forest, different organizations and

institutions could carry out forest rehabilitation measures, in particular:

- Private corporations (concession companies)

Government of Indonesia

-- independent governmental forest management units

-- state corporations (e.g. Inhutani)

-- regional corporations

-- private enterprises and contractors

-- ABRI (military forces)

-- communities and transmigrants.

For the selection of the implementing organization and the coordination of

rehabilitation two coordination boards should be founded: One on the central

government level, one on the regional I eve!.

22

". :.',: .. ".,"

These coordination boards should, first of all, select areas suitable for community

forestry and form community forest management units. Then, still active HPH holders

(forest concession holders) should be selected who are interested in the rehabilitation

of seriously degraded forest lands. For the remaining area the Ministry of Forestry

should decide arid select • supported by the coordination boards - the implementing

organizations. The formation of independent governmental forest management units

should be favoured. The rehabilitation of seriously disturbed forests has to be

supported by government subsidies.

If rehabilitation is carried out by nongovernmental organizations, close control and

supervision by skilled government foresters must be guaranteed. The introduction of a

monitoring and evaluation system and the elaboration of management plans, either by

independent forest consultants or by a management planning unit of the government,

are further essential prerequisites.

As mentioned previously, the total cost for rehabilitation is estimated at US$ 352

million (case 11). Especially in the initial stage of rehabilitation, high investment inputs

for the establishment of permanent forest stations and the needed infrastructure are

required. A main part of this investment should come from donor agencies in the form

of loans and grants.

Rehabilitation activities and the reimbursement of loans should be paid out of the

"Dana Reboisasi", the forest rehabilitation fund. If only 20 % of the fees paid by the

concession holders in East Kalimantan into this fund (US$ 10 for each m3 harvested

timber) would be used for rehabilitation, it would take about 40 years to finance the

total investment required.

Additionally to the financial assistance, considerable technical assistance is necessary.

i:

23

3:2.2 The Pilot Project

The specification for a pilot project on forest rehabilitation is given in FR-Report No. 10.

The pilot project should develop silvicultural models for the rehabilitation of different

forest types. These models should be tested on practical feasibility and economic

viability on an area of 30 000 to 50 000 ha. It should, furthermore, develop the

necessary methodical and organizational approach for the establishment of

permanent forest management units and should serve as a model unit. New forest

management planning systems, designs for detailed forest inventories and site

mapping systems should be developed.

An important component of the project should be praxis oriented research, particularly

in silviculture, harvesting systems, utilization of pioneer and secondary forest species,

and forest economy. This should be carried out in close cooperation with other

research institutions.

Rehabilitation and natural forest management require high skill from the forester and

the forest labourer. The project should include a training component which should also

be made available to concession companies.

The introduction of community forestry, the elaboration of management options and

systems adjusted to the needs of the communities and extension work (fire prevention)

should be another component of the project.

Finally, the project should assist the Government of Indonesia and the coordination

boards in the implementation of the course of action.

The area required for the implementation of the pilot project is about 30 000 to 50 000

ha in size. The project should be deSIgned long term, a duration of about 30 years is

proposed, since silvicultural operations have to be designed for different development

stages of the forest.

24

'\: "

',,' , . ~,

3.2.3 The Demonstration Area

The specification for a demonstration area on forest rehabilitation is given in FR-Report

No. 3.

It is the scope of the demonstration area to show the· methodical approach and the

technical solutions developed for forest rehabilitation exemplatory to the public.

As the pilot project will be located in the hinterland and access by public transportation

will be quite difficult, a forest area close to Balikpapan (national airport) was selected

as a demonstration area.

Target groups are government officials, foresters, scientists, students and concession

companies.

25

4. Conclusions

The drought of 1982/83 has' caused serious damage to the tropical rainforest in East

Kalimantan.

The present condition of the forest, future droughts and the continuation of shift and

burn practices are factors which most probably will cause further forest fires in the

future (already in 1987 forest fires again damaged 1 600 ha). However, repeated fires

in this climatic region will lead to a complete destruction of the ufire-free" ecosystem of

a tropical rainforest and "fire-dependent" ecosystems such as the tropical savannas

(e.g. alang alang grass lands) wiil develop.

To avoid future fires, immediate actions are necessary which focus mainly .on fire

prevention, such as: The introduction of community forestry, the establishment of

permanent forest stations, and the establishment of a forest fire control service.

From the economic viewpoint, supported by' ecological and environmental

considerations, immediate rehabilitation measures should be carried out in the

disturbed forest areas. Rehabilitation should aim at natural forest management

systems as they are the only long term solutions for sustained production of tropical

hardwoods and the conservation of forests and nature.

Without immediate and consequent actions, a large part of the tropical forests of East

Kalimantan will be lost for the use of future generations.

26

Annex

List of FR-Reports

27

FR-Report No.:

1) SCHINDELE, W., 1989: Brief summary.

2) SCHINDELE, W., 1989: Field manual for a reconnaissance inventory on burnt

areas, Kalimantan Timur.

3) SCHINDELE, W., 1989: Proposal for a demonstration area (phase 11). t

4) SCHINDELE, W., 1989: Compilation of the results of the reconnaissance

inventory.

5) SCHINDELE, W., THOMA, W., PANZER, K., 1989: The forestfire 1982/83 in East

Kalimantan. Part I: The fire, the effects, the damage and technical solutions.

6) SCHINDELE, W., PRIASUKMANA, S., THOMA, W., PANZER, K, 1989: The forest

fire 1982/83 in East Kalimantan. Part 11: Necessary steps for rehabilitation. A plan

of action.

7) CHANDRADEWANA BOER, 1989: Effects of the forest fire 1982/83 in East

Kalimantan on wildlife.

8) SARWONO, 1989: Effects of the forest fire 1982/83 in East Kalimantan on fishery

and hydrology_

9) MAYER, J.H., 1989: Socioeconomic aspects of the forest fire 1982/83 and the

relation of local communities towards forestry and forest management in East

Kalimantan.

10) SCHINDELE, W., THOMA, W., 1989: Proposal for a pilot project on forest

rehabilitation after fire in East Kalimantan.

11) SAKUNTALADEWI,N.,' AMBLANI. M., 1989: Socioeconomic aspects of the forest

fire 1982/83 and the relation of transmigrants towards forestry and forest

management in East Kalimantan.

12) PANZER. K, 1989: Utilization of burnt and degraded forest land in East

Kalimantan.

28

Other reports:

SCHINDELE, W., 1989: Preliminary proposal for a pilot project. Rehabilitation of

tropical rainforest in East Kalimantan.

SCHINDELE, W., 1989: Activity reports 1-4.

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