Regulation of our forests

The regulation of our forests may not be as effective as the Commissioner thinks
Thursday, November 23rd 2006
Stabroek News

Dear Editor,

Thank you for carrying during the last fortnight illuminating letters and reports relating to forestry in Guyana.

I had not realized that 5 Asian companies controlled more than 50 percent of all State Production Forests, nor that only 18 companies control 80 percent of Guyana's production forests.

I had not realized that the export of prime hardwood logs had skyrocketed during 2005-6, and that the ensuing local shortage of purpleheart has led to the closing or down-sizing of many woodworking shops in Guyana, and endemic crisis for the local lumber retail and wood processing sectors; and that the prime furniture timber "locust" is being exported as unprocessed logs to Asia (thus no added value accruing in Guyana) while local industries have reduced their staff complement because of shortage of this timber in the domestic market.

I therefore read with interest the Commissioner of Forests' letter in your 17 November 2006 edition. I noted the Commissioner's statement that "the GFC is recognized internationally as one of the most progressive forestry regulatory agencies in the world. This is the view of many international organizations and consultants, including the ITTO…."

The Commissioner and your readers may wish to consider the assessment of Guyana in a recent ITTO publication titled Status of Tropical Forest Management 2005, which was published just a few months ago.

ITTO suggests that 'mutually supportive approaches' between the Government of Guyana and industry 'had not yet developed at the level required' (p.239). I've learned from your columns that companies most involved in log exports control 80 percent of State Production Forests. Their public relations statements in the local press try to justify business-as-usual - continuing exports of prime species as unprocessed logs at remarkably low (FOB) prices compared with international (CIF) market prices. This is why Guyana will remain a supplier of primary commodities principally to India and China. Until, of course, the supply of choice hardwood logs dries up.

ITTO's Status of Tropical Management 2005 also states that few if any forestry companies in Guyana conform to the code of practice:

"the code of practice applies to TSAs and WCLs but is presently only mandatory for new concessions….The new forest act, once adopted into law, will make the code mandatory for all forest concession areas. At present, few if any companies fully conform to the code…" (p.241). So it appears that not only Ms. Bulkan, but ITTO also, says that paper guidelines are disregarded in the field.

ITTO 2005 contains other dismal information on the forestry sector in Guyana. Here is a sample:

"It would appear that there is an entrenched culture of forest extraction and utilization within the industry rather than a commitment to enhancing the productivity or value of the forest that is left after harvesting" (p.241)

"Amerindian communities are afflicted by severe social and health problems, particularly in communities adjacent to gold-mining and timber concessions" (p.244)

"Guyana…as introduced and implemented a well-designed forest management and control system in its timber production forests. However, there is a gap between the well-functioning core staff of the GFC and the industry that has to implement forest management in the field. Political and social uncertainty, lack of secure tenure, lack of understanding and awareness, lack of skilled labour, outdated management practices and, recently, a difficult economic environment have imposed major challenges for the achievement of SFM. Progress is being made in improving forest harvesting practices."

"A detailed management provision and control system has been elaborated but is inadequately implemented."

"The areas of totally protected forests is low and there is not enough control and management in protected areas."

"The national forest policy is widely accepted as a sound guide for the forest sector but is yet to be fully implemented."

"A new forest law, which would establish a forest concession system in place of the current TSAs and WCLs, has been drafted (in 1996, a decade ago!) but is yet to be enacted."

With all due respect, ITTO's published comments on the forestry sector in Guyana are at variance with the Commissioner of Forests' representation of that institution's views.

Yours faithfully,

Mahadeo Kowlessar