Lot of Companies Still Violating SVLK Rules

Jakarta (Greeners) – The implementation of the Timber Legality Verification System (SVLK) has not been fully implemented and the denial of policies related to the protection of natural forests is still found in the field. Search results conducted by the Independent Forestry Monitoring Network (JPIK), Forest Watch Indonesia, the Community Initiative Study and Development Group (KSPPM) and the Archipelago Indigenous Peoples Alliance (AMAN) in the North Maluku region found that there were still non-compliance with permit companies to implement the SVLK, particularly in North Sumatra, North Kalimantan and North Maluku provinces.

“The provision of strict sanctions against companies that violate the SVLK rules should absolutely be applied by the government, both companies that move upstream and downstream,” said Muhamad Kosar, JPIK Dynamicsator in his written statement, Jakarta, Tuesday (12/22).

According to Muhammad Kosar, until now, there are still conflicts between the community and the company of Industrial Plantation Forest (HTI) PT. Toba Pulp Lestari (PT TPL) in Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra. The felling and deprivation of indigenous peoples’ incense forests by PT TPL is the cause of conflict and eliminates the sources of people’s lives. Another finding from the results of field monitoring was that PT TPL also felled on the river banks and protected areas within its concession.

Violations of SVLK rules are also carried out by HTI company PT Adindo Hutani Lestari (PT AHL), which is located in Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan. Inside the PT AHL concession found logging and land clearing which is a deep peat area. The company is also indicated to have seized community land due to boundary uncertainty and not through free prior and informed consent.

“Land clearing in deep peat areas and logging practices in protected areas clearly violates SVLK rules,” he added.

Mufti Barri, FWI Campaigner, stated that indications of violations were also found in the timber supply and distribution chain to the downstream level, namely the primary wood industry. One of the companies identified was PT Panca Usaha Palopo Plywood located in Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi. The largest timber industry company in Sulawesi is strongly suspected of receiving wood supplies from sources that do not have legality.

The source of the wood comes from the HPH company PT. Mohtra Agung Persada in Central Halmahera Regency, North Maluku. Data on the realization of the Industrial Raw Material Compliance Plan (RPBBI) up to November 2015 showed that PT Panca Usaha Palopo Plywood still received wood from PT Mohtra Agung Persada totaling 10,155.11 cubic meters.

“This certainly shows the weakness of the supervision system regarding the circulation of logs that the government applies. “The RPBBI document that is owned by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry is able to maintain that only timber from legal sources must be consumed by industry,” he said.