CHAIRMAN: Before we go into our agenda item 6. 3. I have a small point relating to agenda item 6. 1 that is the State of Food and Agriculture including Commodity and Trade Problems. A statement by the Observer from the International Federation of Agricultural Producers has also been included. Furthermore, statements by delegations of Israel and the Phillipines on agenda item 6. 2 Fertiliziers - Action Arising out of the Fifth Session of the Commission on Fertilizers, - will also be marked in the record. Secondly, we have our Rapporteur here, that is Mr. Horatio Mends, and he has some more information for us from the Plenary.
H. MENDS (Rapporteur from Plenary to Commission I): I can assure you that the general trend of discussions in the Plenary has not changed much from what I reported yesterday. However, 22 more Heads of Delegations contributed to the general debate in the Plenary yesterday and 11 this morning, thus bringing the total of speakers to 64 at the close of this morning's session.
Heads of Delegations continue to decry the unsatisfactory food conditions, poverty, disease, malnutrition, for millions of the world's population. They have emphasized that the food problem was the responsibility of all and must therefore be the concern of all for priority solutions in this Conference. However, individual developing countries have also been urged to develop strategies and programmes to encourage farmers to increase food production.
FAO's assessment of the global food situation and its recommendations for improvements continue to receive total support from the delegations as the only realistic solution to eliminate hunger.
Some suggestions relevant to the issues that have emerged from the debates for your consideration are: that increasing energy costs make agricultural research imperative, for example, coversion of solar energy for farming purposes and that every effort should be made to increase the research capacities of the developing countries in these areas.
The highly reduced level of financial contributions by the UNDP has been noted with great concern. The Director-General should therefore be empowered by the Conference to approach the UNDP and other financial institutions to make extra efforts to increase their share of funding for agricultural production purposes, in the developing countries particularly.
Inflation and dwindling foreign exchange resources make it difficult for developing countries to procure their annual fertilizer requirements, therefore developed countries must continue to contribute to the International Fertilizer Supply Scheme and increase fertilizer aid under the bilateral arrangements.
FAO must continue its efforts with other agencies to find new approaches for developing forestry, particularly in the production of wood for timber and as a source of energy.
FAO should also carry out further studies on the Forestry For Community Development and recommend specific regional programmes and intensify its training activities in the forestry sector of the developing countries.
Since technical cooperation is one of the important elements in the process of sharing and transfer of appropriate technology, all speakers from the developed countries pledged their support for the recommendations for TCDC and ECDC and also their willingness to offer training facilities in their
countries to ensure availability of trained manpower in the developing countries. They are also willing to cooperate in research relevant to the needs of the developing countries and are willing to share their expertise at all levels with them.
I shall be reporting again when you move on to the next subject.
G. BULA HOYOS (Colombia): Quisiéramos expresar nuestra satisfacción por la manera tan adecuada y eficaz cómo nuestro distinguido colega y amigo Sr. Mends está transmitiendo a esta Comisión I los elementos sobresalientes del debate general que se celebra en la sesión plenaria. El relator escogido por nosotros ha respondido en muy buena forma a la confianza que depositamos en él.
Ya que estamos en el uso de la palabra desearíamos aprovechar esta oportunidad, con su venia y la de los delegados de esta Comisión, para informar que a fin de cumplir con el requisito del anuncio de veinticuatro horas previas para la consideración de los proyectos de Resoluciones, la delegación de Colombia, junto con las de Uruguay, Zaire, India y Yugoslavia, por el momento, hemos suscripto un proyecto de Resolución sobre seguridad alimentaria mundial, tema 7, que será considerado próximamente en esta Comisión. En este proyecto de Resolución se trata esencialmente sobre la manera de cómo implementar el Plan de Acción de Cinco Puntos presentado por el Director General de la FAO para tratar de asegurar la seguridad alimentaria mundial. Cumplimos con este anuncio y, como es natural, este proyecto de Resolución seguirá su curso normal, se someterá al Comité de Resoluciones, y oportunamente se presentará a esta Comisión.
P. MASUD (Pakistan): I apologise for taking you back a little but what I have to say is in connection with action arising out of the Fifth Session of the Commission on Fertilizers. The Commission met earlier this year in January and it was decided that it would meet some time in 1980. Now, as we are aware, the prices of fertilizers have shown an upward trend and this has become a matter of concern to a number of developing countries. We are therefore of the view that the Sixth Session of the Commission, which could meet any time in 1980-it could meet in January or December 1980-if it met in December 1980 it would be meeting after approximately two years, while the situation on fertilizers is developing very rapidly we would like to propose that the Commission should meet in the earlier part of 1980 rather than the latter part of 1980. I do not want do give any specific dates when we would like the Commission to meet but we would like it to meet at least in the first half of 1980 so that it can review and monitor the situation arising out of the recent increase in prices of fertilizers. This, needless for me to say, is a matter of great concern to those countries who rely on imports of fertilizers. Once again I apologise for taking up your time but I think this is an omission that should be rectified.
G. BULA HOYOS (Colombia): La delegación de Colombia desea apoyar la propuesta que acaba de hacer nuestro colega y amigo de Pakistán. El Relator de la Plenaria a la Comisión I podrá confirmar aquí la forma reiterada cómo los Jefes de delegaciones se han referido a la situación de los fertilizantes y, sobre todo, al aumento de los precios.
Consideramos que es adecuado que la Comisión de Fertilizantes celebre su sexto período de sesiones en la primera mitad de 1980.
A. J. PECKAM (United Kingdom): Thank you very much Mr. Chairman, like Mr. Masud of Pakistan I was unable to be present this morning when you took this particular item, and since I am also at the moment the Chairman of the Fertilizer Commission I am also grateful for your indulgence and support what Mr. Masud has said. I don't know that I entirely agree with some of the report, particularly the word "alarm" which is expressed about fertilizer prices. Nevertheless the fact remains that if one looks at nitrogen alone there has been a price increase over the last six months of something in the order of 20 percent-a price increase which is bound to concern particularly the developing countries which are poorest. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I think it is a situation which should be watched with the utmost care and I am happy to inform this Commission that with my colleagues, which include Mr. Masud, the consultative working group on fertilizers met earlier this month and came to certain conclusions.
Now I don't need to go into detail, Mr. Chairman, although there is very much I could say. But this particular question of when the Fertilizer Commission should meet the view of the consultative group was that a recommendation should be made to the Director-General that there should be an early meeting of the Fertilizer Commission and that it should meet with a view to undertaking a detailed scrutiny and review of the fertilizer supply. I should very much like to put that on record. Thank you Mr. Chairman.
S. M. CHOUDHURY (Bangladesh): I have heard the proposal given by the distinguished delegate of Pakistan and from what we heard in the morning you will recollect that we have repeatedly insisted on the issue of the uncontrollable price of fertilizers which should be monitored, and in view of this I strongly support the suggestion of Mr. Masud for an early session of the Commission on Fertilizers sometime in the early part of next year.
H. BAR-SHAI (Israel): Fertilizers are important for the production of food and human nutrition. Prices of fertilizers have risen considerably, and there is not yet a serious substitute for existing fertilizers. It could have been very useful, especially for developing nations, if fuel-oil and fertilizer producing nations cooperate in making fertilizers cheaper for those who need it through cheaper oil.
Being a semi-arid country we know that suitable fertilizing with a proper water policy, can correct much of what nature has deprived. Fertilizers should be utilized rationally, and compounds can be suited to different soils, sizes of farms, crops etc. , in order to be effective and inexpensive. For this purpose it is important that developing countries share their know-how and experience with one another. Israel is, of course, ready to share her wide experience in this field for the benefit of interested countries and thus contribute to the progress of developing nations 1/.
I. A. RONQUILLO (Philippines): The FAO Fertilizer Programme had laid out: a. a total of 8, 470 fertilizer and related input test sites in 13 countries; and b. 200 training courses on the use of fertilizer and related inputs with a total attendance of 10, 500 national staff members.
The International Fertilizer Supply Scheme (IFS) in the 1978/79 fertilizer year has distributed 44, 000 metric tons to 22 countries and an additional 3 assistance operations with a supply of 20, 000 metric tons as compared to the 1977/78 supply of 15, 000 metric tons in 14 fertilizer assistance operations in 14 countries.
The Fertilizer Programme, integrated with the IFS and other input oriented programmes such as the Seed Improvement and Development Programme (SIDP) is expected to provide a close linking of fertilizer aid with technical assistance to help alleviate the condition of rural areas in the Least Developed Countries (LDC's).
The Fertilizer Programme's impact is not restricted to farming and crop production alone but also to ensure correct use, and timely availability of inputs for the farmers said programme was assured of financial assistance from World Bank and IFAD.
In the Philippines, the FAO Fertilizer Programme at present involved 15 provinces, in which 1, 652 fertilizer demonstration trials had been laid down in 1978 on rice in farmers' fields and, in 2 provinces, 28 fertilizer demonstration trials on flue-cured tobacco.
The fertilizer pilot credit scheme had been operational in 4 provinces with a revolving fund of more than US $280, 000. The accumulated interest generated from the operation of the pilot scheme was used to support group training courses and study tours within the country, to defray expenses for farmers' field days, purchase of fertilizer kits and for other purposes that would promote improvement of rational use, marketing and distribution of fertilizer.
Seminar-workshops on Fertilizer Use and Extension Service for the technicians directly working under the programme were conducted in 1978 to broaden and enhance their knowledge and outlook.
The Philippine Fertilizer Programme, which would terminate in 1979, had also supported training courses, seminars and study tours by some personnel to the Netherlands, Rome, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
The transfer of the computer software for the Fertilizer Programme in the Philippines from FAO Headquarters in Rome had been initiated. The computer software had facilitated the computerization of field demonstration trial results.
1/Statement inserted in the verbatim records on request.
Recently, the Philippine Government created the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, which periodically reviewed the ex-warehouse fertilizer price ceilings and recommended to the President/Prime Minister the necessary price changes 1/.
CHAIRMAN: We now take up the agenda item 6. 3 Forestry-the "Jakarta Declaration" which was issued by the Eighth World Conference in October 1978-the relevant document whole afternoon and before I open the floor to the delegations Dr. Flores-Rodas will give his opening remarks in this agenda itam.
Μ. A. FLORES-RODAS (Subdirector General, Departamento de Montes): El Consejo de la FAO durante su septuagésimo cuarto período de sesiones consideró que la Declaración de Yakarta trata de una manera nueva varios asuntos que interesan directamente a todas las autoridades que se ocupan del desarrollo rural. Por tal motivo, el Consejo decidió remitir dicha Declaración a la Conferencia. Es la primera vez que el Consejo determina que una declaración adoptada por un congreso forestal mundial merece que sea presentada a la Conferencia porque el alcance de tal declaración coincide muy de cerca con el desarrollo rural integrado en general.
En el documento C 79/22 que estamos considerando, se resumen los conceptos principales de la Declaración de Yakarta, cuyo texto completo figura en el anexo al documento.
Deseo recordar aquí que los congresos forestales mundiales son reuniones abiertas a la participación tanto de representantes de gobiernos, como de profesionales independientes procedentes de todas las gamas de disciplinas, que tienen que ver con los montes y con la industria forestal en los ámbitos público y privado.
En el Congreso de Yakarta tomaron parte unos 2 000 participantes de más de cien países.
En esta oportunidad quiero dar, una vez más, las gracias al Gobierno de Indonesia en nombre del Director General por haber organizado impecablemente una reunión de tanta importancia y magnitud.
Señor Presidente, me voy a permitir citar algunos hechos que ilustran la Declaración de Yakarta para las políticas y los programas de la FAO. En primer lugar, ciertos pasajes de la Declaración apoyan las actividades actuales de la FAO en el sector forestal, mientras que otros contienen ideas y conceptos útiles para el futuro. En segundo lugar, durante el año transcurrido desde el octavo Congreso Mundial numerosos países han organizado reuniones internacionales de alto nivel para examinar la repercusión de la Declaración sobre las políticas y programas de desarrollo. En tercer lugar, las nuevas orientaciones de la Declaración que proponen en materia forestal coinciden con las que dimanan de la Conferencia Mundial sobre Reforma Agraria y Desarrollo Rural.
El programa de Acción aprobado por dicha Conferencia Mundial subraya la importancia de los bosques como recursos naturales, fuentes de empleo, base de industrialización rural, factores de protección ecológica y reserva de combustible, forraje y materias para la población campesina.
La Conferencia Mundial sobre Reforma Agraria y Desarrollo Rural señala la necesidad de manejar los bosques teniendo en cuenta las necesidades de las comunidades locales e invita a los gobiernos a promover actividades forestales con la participación de la población rural a fin de satisfacer las necesidades de dicha población.
El que un congreso como el de Yakarta haya dado tan extraordinario peso en sus debates y en su Declaración Final a los aspectos forestales del desarrollo rural es cosa sin precedentes y altamente significativa, pero son más significativos aún los hechos que acabo de enumerar, el interés que muchos países están concediendo a la Declaración de Yakarta, la armonía de dicha Declaración con los principios de la Conferencia Mundial sobre Reforma Agraria y Desarrollo Rural y la convergencia de las aspiraciones manifestadas en la Declaración con las recientes innovaciones en los programas de nuestra Organización en material forestal, programas cada vez más orientados a contribuir al desarrollo rural según lo dispuesto por la Conferencia de la FAO.
1/. Text inserted in the verbatim records on request.
Pero todo esto no es una coincidencia ; todo esto se debe a que las numerosas recomendaciones contenidas en la Declaración de Yakarta se resumen en un solo mensaje, el mismo mensaje que emana de la Conferencia Mundial de Reforma Agraria y Desarrollo Rural y de la propia Conferencia de la FAO; la necesi-das de mejorar la vida rural haciendo uso de todos los recursos naturales disponibles y movilizando todos los recursos humanos con espíritu de justicia y solidaridad. Esto quiero decir que todos nosotros, desde el campesino al hombre político, y desde el forestal al agronomo, al industrial y al planificador hemos de trabajar juntos para racionalizar el uso de los recursos forestales y para aplicar sistemas de manejo que sirvan mejor a los intereses de la población rural; esa población que hasta ahora pocas veces ha podido participar plenamente en los beneficios del desarrollo forestal.
Si se quiere que esto ocurra, será necesario, en muchos países, hacer importantes cambios. En primer lugar, habrá que tener voluntad política y habrá que transformar actitudes y conceptos.
El desarrollo forestal no habrá de basarse solamente en consideraciones ecológicas y económicas, sino también en consideraciones sociales. El uso agro-silvo-pastoral integrado de la tierra deberá terminar en muchas zonas con la vieja pugna entre los usos agrícolas, ganaderos y forestales, ya que la industria forestal deberá dar paso a la industria forestal rural o ir de la mano con ella. En breve las plantaciones de árboles forestales, las intervenciones en el ecosistema forestal y los beneficios que de él se deriven deberán buscarse teniendo muy en cuenta la participación de los campesinos y el impacto sobre la vida rural.
Tales cambios en los conceptos y enfoques en que se basan la gestion forestal tendrán sin duda fuerte repercusión en las políticas y programas forestales a nivel nacional e internacional. Ya dije que la FAO se ha anticipado a las orientaciones de la Declaración de Yakarta, algunos de nuestros programas en curso como el de la contribución forestal al desarrollo comunitario y el de pequeñas industrias forestales así lo demuestran. En su Programa de Labores y Presupuesto para 1980/81, el Señor Director General propone el nuevo programa 2. 3. 4 "La sivicultura al servicio del desarrollo rural" que supone una continuación y puesta al día del trabajo de la FAO en este campo.
La Declaración de Yakarta, sin dirigir recomendaciones algunas específicamente a la FAO, contiene a mi juicio numerosas ideas dignas de tenerse en cuenta al determinar el futuro papel de la Organización en el desarrollo de los recursos forestales del mundo. He aquí muy brevemente algunas de estas ideas. Parece cierto, por ejemplo, que los recursos forestales tendrán que contribuir mucho más que hasta ahora a la producción de alimentos y de energía, de ahí el mayor peso que ya estamos dando en los programas de FAO al desarrollo de sistemas agro-silvi-pastorales y a la producción y buen uso de la leña y del carbón vegetal.
Recientes adelantos tecnológicos en la química de la lignina que permiten hacer digestibles las fibras leñosas, tal vez nos permitirán avanzar en el uso de la madera para alimentar al ganado. Puede llegar pronto el momento en que se pueda utilizar la biomasa forestal para producir carne, cosa que tendría profunda repercusión tanto en la mejora de los niveles de alimentación como en los métodos de manejo y ordenación forestales.
Al margen de estas perspectivas, más o menos lejanas, recordemos que hoy día la leña sigue siendo la principal fuente de energía para la mitad más pobre de la humanidad.
Recordemos, además que está aumentado el uso del material leñoso para producir energía industrial y que últimamente también los grupos sociales que gozan de altos ingresos tienden a usar más leña y más carbón vegetal.
En vista de estas tendencias son ya muchas las administraciones forestales nacionales que dedican, o vuelven a dedicar, gran atención a la producción y aprovisionamiento de leña para energía, cosa que no era fácilmente previsible sólo hace algunos años.
Señor Presidente, me he permitido hacer estos breves comentarios para mostrar como la Declaración de Yakarta al señalar todas estas cosas arroja una luz nueva, un luz más humana y menos tecnocràtica sobre los problemas del sector forestal.
También he tratado de mostrar que la FAO no es insensible ni ajena a la nueva percepción de esos problemas ni tampoco tardía o tímida a la hora de buscar y proponer soluciones. Por eso creo que la FAO como siempre podrá seguir apoyando en el futuro a los países Miembros con humildad pero con confianza en el esfuerzo de conservar y desarrollar los recursos forestales poniéndolos cada vez al servicio de la población rural pobre, la mejora de cuyas condiciones constituye el desafío principal que hemos de afrontar.
CHAIRMAN: We have all heard the introduction to this agenda item. Forestry and foresters are very important for our survival in this world and we are very happy to note a new force in forestry and also a new spirit among foresters. This item canes under the World Food and Agriculture Situation and the subject of forestry is included here since it is linked with food production, with employment for the rural population and with integrated rural development. I invite delegates to express their views and make proposals for action as a follow-up to the Jakarta Declaration.
I should like to call first on the delegate of Indonesia, with the concurrence of the Commission, since Indonesia was the host to the 8th World Forestry Congress.
S. HABBJO PRAKDSO (Indonesia): The Government and people of the Republic of Indonesia had the privilège of hosting the 8th World Forestry Congress which took place in Jakarta from 16 to 28 October 1978. This was the largest world congress on forestry ever held to date. It was indeed a big event, not only because a great number of foresters and professionals in fields related to forestry, from all parts of the world, were assembled there but, above all, because this august gathering constituted a world brains trust in forestry. The latest advancements in forestry sciences, as well as valuable experiences of forestry practices all over the world, were pooled to be used as a basis for its deliberations on the extraordinary theme "Forests for People".
It was not only a global stocktaking and a reappraisal of the role which forests, forestry and foresters have so far played, but also an international pledge of a new dimension in forestry as an integrated part of man's overall endeavour to develop fully his potentials in the struggle to satisfy his desires and realize his ideals.
Forestry has arrived at a juno ture at a time when human society has been split into two camps, not so much in the sense characterized by Rudyard Kipling in his famous poem, "East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet", nor into two camps confronting each other in the frustrating dialogue between North and South, but into two camps the demarcation of which over-crosses East and West boundaries as well as North and South dividing lines, since they are found within national jurisdictions-namely, the affluent and the underprivileged groups, the urban rich and the rural poor.
Overviewing the situation of the forest wealth in developing countries in humid tropical regions, we observe that these forest resources have become a double prey of the growing demand for timber by the affluent society within as well as outside the concerned countries on the one hand, and of the expanding needs of the mushrooming rural millions for more land on the other.
Foresters as well as scientists and professionals who deal with forest resources are fully aware of this serious situation. They also know that if shifting cultivators learn how to cultivate the soil more intensively and grow their food crop more rationally, or if they can find an alternative living which is better than to continue practising shifting cultivation, they would abandon their slash and burn habit.
But foresters generally considered that the changing of this traditional life pattern did not belong to their responsibilities. According to them other government services or non-governmental agencies are responsible for that.
However, they overlooked the fact that these shifting cultivators live in the remote backyards of the country beyond the reach of extension and other servicing agencies. It is exactly for this reason that they remain backward and bypassed by the national development activities. They overlooked the fact that forests are the only neighbours of shifting cultivators, and that foresters working in these forests are the only link between these poor farmers and their Government.
They overlooked the fact that these shifting cultivators find that the only way out for their survival is the forest land which is capable of prolonging their life as it can produce food, and lies just next door.
However, foresters gradually and fortunately realized that they could not remain indifferent towards this situation.
In this very connection the Eighth World Forestry Congress became the culminating point of this deepening awareness, of this general rediscovery. It was an inspiring rediscovery that forest lands can produce not only timber, but also food for immediate consumption by the rural poor who live in their vicinity; that if intensively managed and comprehensively utilized, forest can provide not only employment to millions of rural people, but also materials needed by rural people, particularly for fuel and shelter: in other words, that forests can become an asset for rural development; that forests if properly conserved and rationally managed constitute a regulator of the water flow of wells and rivers indispensable for productive agriculture, promote a healthy environment for man’ s life and recreation; that the humid tropical jungles embody valuable genetic resources, flora as well as fauna, only a very small number of which has up till now been utilized for the benefit of mankind.
These things became the central points of discussion by the Congress. Hence the main theme "Forests for People" has been broken down into the following sub-themes: Forestry for Food; Forestry for Rural Community Development; Forestry for Employment Promotion; Forestry for Industrial Development; and Forestry for Quality of Life. All these foci had one and the same target, that is the well being of man wherever he lives but particularly those who thus far have been overlooked in our feverish drive for development, the rural poor, the closest neighbours of the forests.
More important than its size, the Eighth World Forestry Congress will always be remembered as having deepened the consciousness of the international society, that the ultimate objective of all development efforts is not physical or material, but human. This is the basio motivation for the selection of the Congress’ theme: "Forests for People. ”
This Forestry Congress had the courage, as expressed by our Minister of Agriculture in his general statement as leader of the Indonesian Delegation, to break away from traditional approaches which separated foresters from rural people and forestry from rural development. Forests wherever they are located and whoever owns, manages or utilizes them, are a trust to be used to meet the needs of the underprivileged majority, and not merely to satisfy the desires of the few who are economically strong.
One may argue that the idea "Forests for People" is an old one. This might be true. But certainly it is a new concept, a new departure, a new approach, a new sense of values.
This means a new orientation of forest policies and a review of existing management systems of tropical forests which should be adjusted to physical, economic and social conditions of local rural communities, which vary from region to region, even within individual countries.
It also entails not only a new approach to forest land use, but also a reorientation of national land use policies, which finally should lead to a new international land - use order as forests wherever they are located are significant shareholders in the land and water household of the earth.
This also means that the day is over when socio-economic sectors and sub-sectors can remain straitjacketed into their monopolistic disciplines.
This boils down to multi disciplinary approaches and multi-purpose forest management systems.
This consequently means that within the FAO Secretariat as well as within government administrations, the compartments within the Forestry Department and the walls between departments and ministries should function as connecting links that knit them together rather than remain as demarcation lines.
We are very pleased that the Director-General in his general statement emphasized that "Forestry for the People" is one of FAO's high priorities for the future as forestry was recognized as an important aspect of rural development. In delegation fully supports this.
It is also gratifying to note the Forestry Department of FAO under the able leadership of Dr. Flores Rodas has already initiated steps in the right directions.
We are also glad that other international organizations are giving financial and technical support in this venture.
The Indonesian Delegation strongly feels that FAO, particularly its Forestry Department, should assume the stewardship in this regard and should translate the Jakarta Declaration into action programmes, and should also mobilize resources in order to assist member nations in the realization of this Declaration.
Unless rural people experience themselves that forests, through appropriate and purposeful management, benefit them in a tangible and direct way, and felt by them as an indispensable asset for the welfare of their community, -in addition to meeting national as well as international interests-the poor farmers will continue destroying the remaining forests of the tropical world with a speed of more than 15 million hectares per year in their desperate search for food, fuel and shelter.
Only then, the destroyer of forests, the shifting cultivator, the small farmer who has finally become the victim of his own action, could well be the recreater of the devastated forests.
Only then the new concept "Forests for People" will inseparably be united with its counterpart: "People for Forests".
CHAIRMAN: Before I give the floor to the next speaker I would like to inform you that we already have 23 speakers on the list and, as is traditional with Chairmen t I am afraid I must ask you to be brief, bearing in mind the short time that we have for this item. The delegation of Israel has asked for their statement to be marked on the record.
S. A. ANGOT (Guyana); She Guyana Delegation supports the "Jakarta Declaration".
I was a participant at the 8th World Forestry Congress in Jakarta in 1978, and was impressed with the discussions and Declaration on Forests for People, which was the theme of the Congress.
In the opinion of the professional foresters attending the Congress, agroforestry would contribute in a great measure to the production of food-a situation seldom envisaged when the problem of food shortages is considered.
For a long time the general impression has been that forests were there to provide timber and lumber for construction works, building and fuel; and food production was never associated with forests. The Jakarta Congress provided an impressive Declaration on projects which have been overlooked for years by many governments. Now we have world food shortages and hungry and starving millions, agroforestry should be a high priority for food production in rural areas, especially in countries which are heavily forested.
Great emphasis was laid at the Jakarta Congress on the need to use forests for the production of food. Declarations 5 to 7 have a direct bearing on the work of FAO. I think it is proper that this twentieth FAD Conference should draw attention to this source of food for people.
My Delegation recommends that in the report of these proceedings a strong recommendation should be made to Member Nations to introduce agroforestry projects in their countries, especially in rural areas. This, in our view, should reinforce the Declaration of the Jakarta Congress.
Taher NEZAMI (Iran): Comme c'est la première fois que notre délégation prend la parole au sein de cette Commission, je tiens tout d'abord, Monsieur le Président, à vous féliciter ainsi que les Vice-Présidents, pour votre élection à la tête de cette Commission.
En ce qui concerne la déclaration du Huitième Congrès forestier mondial de Djakarta, je dois porter à votre connaissance que, malgré les différentes difficultés et les mauvaises démarches du régime pourri renversé, au cours de ces dernières années les forestiers consciencieux, professionnels et patriotes de mon pays, ont pu réaliser des travaux assez considérables dans le domaine forestier et en particulier en ce qui concerne la reforestation et l'aménagement des bassins versants. En outre, sur le plan technique, nous avons pu aider certains pays voisins qui ont les mêmes problèmes.
Au nom du gouvernement révolutionnaire de la République islamique de l'Iran, je vous assure que mon pays appuie fortement la politique et les mesures qui vont être proposées par la FAO pour la sauvegarde, la bonne exploitation et l'extension des forêts et tout ce qui les concerne.
John T. WOODS (Liberia): This is the first time that I have personally spoken in this Commission, and I would therefore like to congratulate you on your election to Chairman.
On the issue to be discussed, I have a few comments on the principles of the Jakarta Declaration. My Governement gives very high credibility and acceptability to the Jakarta Declaration, and extends its gratitude and congratulations to the staff of the Eight World Forestry Congress and to the Governement and people of Indonesia for the preparation of this Congress.
We therefore allude to the principles of the Declaration and we are dedicated to implementing them to the utmost of our ability.
The topic of the Congress was Forestry for the People. Those of us who attended the Eight World Forestry Congress in Indonesia know the sentiments which surrounded the discussion there. The need to bring forestry to the people was not only felt to be long overdue but also to be of high priority in the immediate future.
One group of people-women-was felt to have been left out in the preference for employment in the past and should be given due attention and higher priority in the future. We in Liberia are pursuing a serious course in this direction. More than 100 women are employed in re-afforestation nursery activities. For the first time the University of Liberia has enrolled two women in the forestry programme for the past academic year. These are big steps in the right direction and require FAO’s support and encouragement. From the policy point of view, we feel that the involvement of women in forestry should have been considered in this biennium. If I were asked what could be done specifically, I would simply say that there should be another seminar for women nursery workers.
Paragraphs 14, 15 and 25 of the Declaration address themselves to the rural development aspect of forestry. We are in full agreement with this aspect and wish to mention the efforts we are applying in this direction in Liberia. Rural development has taken dramatic root in the minds of politicians in my country and so the will is assumed to be there. This is important because we only need to seek the means now. The policy of the Government is to decentralize its administrative functions and allow the people to have a greater say in what affects them. The planning process is also going to be decentralized so that the rural people can participate in and decide on programmes to improve their lives.
In forestry we are already way ahead. Our forestry administrative functions are, by and large, decentralized because of their nature. The forest is with the people, and the rural people particularly live in and near the forest. The problem is how to increase their role, or the role of the rural community, in the maintenance, and not necessarily in the establishment of the forest charcoal. In this connection small-scale wood based industries, such as wood carving which are prevalent, need to be improved. Village saw mills and wood lot operations are now placed on the drawing board for our rural development strategy. We are now involved in two trial plantations for a variety of pine species to provide raw materials for pulp and paper. All this should supplement and not displace the efforts to improve chemical pulping to allow maximum utilization of little known species which we have in great abundance. All these processes are a step in the right direction in creating employment and increasing the purchasing power of rural people. This is rural development.
Paragraphs 9, 10 and 11 of the Declaration draw specific attention to the need for fuel wood in developing countries. Is is true that most of the people depend on fuel wood and charcoal as a source of energy, especially for the preparation of their food. So that the security of the food supply is meaningless without the means or technology to prepare the food. Accordingly I find that the action programme proposed for 1980-81 concentrates only on the rural poor. I think this is a mistake. Urban dwellers of necessity have to be seriously considered when we consider that the costs of other forms of energy, such as thermo-electricity, kerosene and butane gas are becoming relatively more expensive as compared with fuel wood. In my country there has been a dramatic shift in demand from these types of energy to charcoal and fuel wood without the requisite shifts in supply to cope with the demad. Therefore fuel wood and charcoal as an alternative source of energy are no more a matter of rural development but a national concerm. FAO, IBRD and all concerned should look at this situation very seriously. It should be considered even beyond the intention of the Jakarta Declaration. I think this should be an important policy.
We in Liberia have seen the signal and the Forestry Development Authority is taking an active role in research on the cheapest method of producing charcoal. We need FAO’s assistance and support in this endeavour so as to speed up our efforts and deliver results to the population immediately.
Paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 of the Declaration deal with wildlife conservation. It may sound strange to most of you that over 80 percent of our population depend on bush meat as a main source of protein diet. Fish, as a substitute, is not very expensive but its distribution is costly. To secure and
maintain this important source of food, especially for the rural poor, we need to pay serious attention to our wildlife conservation programme. First of all, there is a need to protect the wildlife stock and allow for an optimum utilization pattern which will balance the rate of depletion with the rate of replenishment so that the supply is always secured and continuous. The other aspect is to develop agro-silvo-pastoral programmes. Both of these avenues are being explored in Liberia. The Forestry Development Authority has sought strong Governement support in devising regulations for the control of hunting and the protection of the valuable wildlife species. The re-afforestation projects involving our trial plantations are also studying the possibility of grazing animals in these plantsations. Again, we will require the input of FAO in these efforts.
As a matter of policy, my delegation considers that the action programme proposed for the promotion of lesser-known species in inadequate. Therefore we propose that a special advertizing fund be allocated for the promotion of these species on behalf of all timber produced in developed countries to be sold in our contries are heavily advertized, even wood products. How can this kind of supportive effort also apply to our lesser known species?
On the question of resource appraisal we would like to see more energy and resources directed to forest resource appraisal and determination in order to provide a basis for more national management and utilization of our forest resources. We recommend specifically a more intensive use of remote sensing techniques.
HANS Kr. SEIP (Norway): First I would like to congratulate Dr. Rodas on the very good presentation of the important paper before the Commission. I would also like to join him in thanking the Government of Indonesia and the Forest Service in Indonesia for the most successful Congress a year ago.
The Jakarta Declaration is not a paper that could be put aside in a file with a few comments and then forgotten. It is a very serious document which could mean a turning point for world forestry, before it is too late. But there is not very much time felt for action.
I would only mention two points that to me seem to be most important. The first point is that if the forest is to be beneficial to people, it must be recognized that forestry is an exercise with many facets, goals and problems. Some of these are connected with agriculture, some are not. When management decisions are made in forestry it is urgently needed to have input from all these aspects. If decisions are made purely from the point of producing industrial wood it might not solve the problems of the rural population. On the other hand, if the needs of the rural population are the only basis for decision it would certainly not solve the problems of necessary products for the people of the world. This could be exemplified further.
There is therefore a strong need for national and international agencies with responsibility for forestry to take care of all aspects of forestry in a balanced way. That means that the whole chain of operation, from establishing new stands, through silvicultural treatment, logging and transport, trade and processing, must be seen against the full and complex goal for the activity. To this end it is important that countries establish a clear forest policy, taking care of all the aspects of forestry including local supply and employment, industrial needs and protection purposes.
This is not always the case, and I would like FAO to study whether it is properly done on the international level.
The second point I would mention is the statement in paragraph 24 of the Declaration that:
"……if present trends continue and potential demands materialize, there is the prospect of a serious gap between the world's needs for industrial and other wood products and the capacity of the world's forests to supply these and other essential goods and services".
It is further stated that this can only be avoided if, among other things, harvesting is more complete and more efficient and large areas of successful plantations are created and intensively managed. Going further into this problem it turns out that there is an extremely large gap between what is needed and what is actually happening in these fields. That is to say that investments in the creation of new forests and in making inaccessible forests accessible must be considerably increased now, if the lack of wood is not to be the bottleneck of general development around the next turn of the century. At that time it cannot be repaired. We know that these investments are necessary. We know also that it is difficult to find funds for them. I therefore want to recall what the Minister of Agriculture for Norway said in his statement in Plenary. I quote "I would request that the Director-General take steps to see that the Department of Forestry in FAO initiates comprehensive discussions on the financing problems connected with agriculture, with a view to finding out how the necessary capital can be raised.
A. OSENI (Nigeria): As my delegation is holding the floor for the first time in this Commission I join my fellow delegates in congratulating you on your election as Chairman of this important Commission and I also congratulate the Vice-Chairman.
My delegation supports the Declaration wholeheartedly. As indicated by my Head of Delegation in his statement in the Plenary Session today, Nigeria places great emphasis on forestry development. I thank the Indonesian Government for such a successful congress for the outcome. We look forward to effective implementation. Although this document had by its very nature to be very general-and I share in the blame because I participated fully in the congress-the paragraphs which mention the tropical forests do not do so in sufficient detail. It mentions that more than half the world's forests are in the tropics but is does not say that their global contribution to the regulation of the climate has indications for all mankind. Attention is drawn to the alarming rate at which tropical forest ecosystems are being destroyed but is should be emphasized that because of lack of knowledge of these ecosystems we do not know what potential benefits for mankind have been destroyed at the same time. I recommend that greatly expanded studies of all aspects of tropical forest ecosystems should emanate from this discussion.
In this connection the "state-of-knowledge" report of Unesco/UNEP/FAO on Tropical Forest Ecosystems should be praised for providing a benchmark study and identifying areas for further work. Governments should be urged to study this report and consider the contribution they can make to advancing the knowledge of these ecosystems which are not only part of our common heritage but are essential to the continued well-being of the human race.
My delegation would like to join with the delegate from Norway in appealing to FAO, the World Bank, UNEP and other industrialized nations to increase investments in forestry and the developing countries and we appeal to all nations to increase financing of forestry activities.
The delegate from Indonesia has outlined the benefits and values of forests in this document and I do not intend to go further into that. I just support him. If we are to reduce urban migration, unemployment and protect our environment and resources as well as provide forest products and other natural resources, we need to give more support to forestry.
In support of the delegate from Guyana on agro-forestry, forestry contributes substantially to food supply but our problem as foresters is that whoever produces food is called a farmer so we do not take the credit though we contribure substantially. My delegation would want more emphasis on agroforestry and pastoral forestry as the case may be and to bring out other colleagues to an understanding and also to promote and join them-if we cannot beat them we must join them-and join them in an integrated approach to rural development.
Now talking about rural development my colleague from Liberia mentioned bushmeat. One interesting thing about bushmeat is borne out in rural urban migration. We find that a number of urban dwellers who have got accustomed to the good habits from rural areas have spent a very high percentage of their incomes on bushmeat and other foods from the natural forests-from the rural areas to which they have been accustomed-and so there is a need to cater for a lot of people not only in the rural areas but also in the urban areas by preserving and maintaining our forests.
G. BULA HOYOS (Colombia): En primer lugar, quisiéramos destacar la forma clara, lúcida e ilustrativa como el Director General Adjunto Jefe del Departamento de Montes de la FAO puso de relieve ante esta Comisión los aspectos fundamentales de la Declaración de Yakarta. El Dr. Flores hizo una exposición que facilita nuestra intervención y que confirma el conocimiento y el dominio que él tiene en la disciplina de montes confiada, en buena hora, en el seno de esta Organización al Dr. Flores.
El Gobierno de Colombia desea reiterar su pleno apoyo a la forma como viene trabajando el Departamento de Montes, lo cual quedo demostrado en la Comisión II cuando se discutio este aspecto de los trabajos de nuestra Organización dentro del programa de labores y presupuesto.
Deseamos también expresar una vez más nuestro apoyo a la Declaración de Yakarta producida por el Octavo Congreso Forestal Mundial, que en octubre del año pasado tuvo lugar en su lindo país, señor Presidente, en Indonesia, nación que tiene gran importancia forestal y cuyo pueblo amable y acogedor a través del Gobierno de Indonesia ofreció asistencia y apoyo valiosos que fueron definitivos para el buen desarrollo de ese Congreso Forestal.
Hemos oído con mucha atención a todos los oradores que nos han precedido, quienes han revelado su condición de expertos en materia de montes. Los colegas de Indonesia, de Guyana, Irán, Liberia, Noruega y Nigeria han hecho interesantes exposiciones que nosotros compartimos, y así evitamos repeticiones,
para limitar nuestra intervención a decir que apoyamos, en nombre del Gobierno de Colombia, los aspectos fundamentales de la Declaración de Yakarta y, particularmente, aquellos aspectos que se destacan en el documento C 79/22 después del párrafo 6, donde dice: "la necesidad de medidas urgentes para salvar los recursos forestales del mundo".
O. GARCIA ROCHA (México): En primer lugar nuestra felicitación por su nombramiento. También nuestra particular felicitación al Dr. Flores-Rodas por el sustancioso documento que nos ha presentado.
La delegación mexicana desea manifestar su pleno apoyo al documento "La Declaración de Yakarta" hecha por el Octavo Congreso Forestal Mundial celebrado en Indonesia, en octubre de 1978, en razón de su calidad y contenido propositivo, que plantea recomendaciones para coadyuvar al mejoramiento, no solo de la actividad forestal como tal, sino principalmente de la realidad socioeconomica que afecta a mas de 1 500 millones de habitantes, el 35% de la población mundial, integrados por los grupos que habitan el bosque y la selva.
La alternativa que ofrecen los aprovechamientos forestales como generadores de empleo en áreas rurales, constituye una importante posibilidad para fijar a la población en sus lugares de origen. Sin embargo, el impulso a la actividad forestal debe darse dentro de un contexto de política forestal que estime el uso del recurso, no aisladamente como insumo industrial, sino eminentemente como factor prioritario del desarrollo de la comunidad rural.
La actividad rural de las comunidades rurales con base en el aprovechamiento forestal, parece ser la alternativa más viable para reducir las desigualdades económicas, asegurar el empleo y el ingreso, acceder bienes y servicios de los pobladores y asegurar el orden ecologico mediante la incorporación del campesino a su cuidado.
La organización de los productores forestales, campesinos dará lugar a la pequeña industria forestal de naturaleza de labor intensiva, lo que asegurará márgenes de empleo más amplios. La sustitución del contenido de capital por la mano de obra, en la medida de lo posible, esclarecerá conceptos, ya que aun cuando el capital es un importante factor de impulso, en el fondo no es sino la expresión del valor de jornadas de trabajo acumuladas, siendo la gentela fuerza motriz del desarrollo, como lo señala La Declaración de Yakarta.
La posibilidad de que los bosques se conviertan en una fuente importante de energía induce a pensar en una política de producción y aprovechamiento de biomasa que permita proporcionar energía de alto y bajo grado, así como materiales orgánicos sintéticos, con una participación lógica frente a los combustibles líquidos, gaseosos y químicos.
De acuerdo con lo anterior, la delegación mexicana propone: Primero: que FAO estudie, recomiende y promueva la obtención de mayores recursos destinados al sector forestal a fin de que éste disponga de recursos técnicos, administrativos y de investigación más amplios. Al respecto, sugerimos que pudiera elaborarse un documento para que sea presentado en la próxima reunion del Comité de Montes.
Segundo: que FAO establezca los mecanismos que estime necesarios para hacer que las actividades forestales tengan un mayor nivel de participación e importancia dentro de la Organización.
Finalmente, deseo manifestar que durante el Octavo Congreso Forestal Mundial en Yakarta, el Jefe de la delegación mexicana solicitó, a nombre del país, la Sede para la celebración del Noveno Congreso Forestal Mundial, solicitud que será ratificada por el Jefe de nuestra Comisión en la plenaria del lunes próximo.
O. M. MBURU (Kenya): Thank you very much Mr. Chairman for giving me the floor, I would like to congratulate Dr. Rodas for the very clear introduction to the subject of discussion this afternoon. I would also like to express appreciation to the Government of Indonesia for the very successful World Forestry Congress. I would like to commend the Assistant Director-General for the Forestry Department and FAO for bringing to the attention of the Conference the Jakarta Declaration. It has very long reaching and very useful objectives and it is a Declaration that requires to be supported by all nations of the world.
Mr. Chairman, some time back you said you had a list of 23 speakers and I think only seven have spoken, so I will not read the statement that I had prepared-not all of it-but I will take one or two items, and that is the role of women. The discussion in Jakarta stressed very much on the need as the delegate of Liberia said of giving equal employment to women. I want to stress another point and that is the role that women can play in afforestation and tree planting. Not only the women that are employed by the Forestry services but the women in the rural areas. We in Kenya have realized the
impact that women can have. We have the National Council of Women of Kenya who have embarked on a very ambitious tree planting scheme and the establishment of green-belts in the rural areas. This is having a very important and very favourable impact in the rural areas of Kenya.
The other point I would like to mention is the question of planting trees and afforestation in semi-arid and arid lands. Most of Kenya and a lot of areas in Africa are in the category of semi-arid, or arid, and there is a great need for carrying out research in afforestation in these areas. We in Kenya have got the assistance of IDRC of Canada who have started on afforestation research of semi-arid land, and we do believe that FAO can play a role in initiating this type of research.
The other point, my final point, I would like to mention is that it is going to be difficult to realize the objectives of the Jakarta Declaration without intensified training. Many countries have tended to emphasize or concentrate training at the professional and technical grades, but they have, by and large, not given sufficient attention to vocational traning. And I would urge FAO and other bodies to assist in introducing, or intensifying vocational training and in general training at all levels.
Mr. Chairman, I had a longer statement which I will hand in to be included in the record.
G. CAMELARIS (Cyprus): Thank you very much Mr. Chairman for giving me the floor. My delegation fully supports the Jakarta Declaration issued by the Eighth World Forestry Congress held in Indonesia. We have noted that there is a growing possibility of a serious gap developing between world need and supply in forestry products. This is a very serious concern to all of us and we should take all possible measures to improve and remedy the situation. As a first step we fully support the idea for developing and maintaining proper forest inventories and introducing proper forest management for the basis of a safe and sustainable annual yield. My delegation recommends that FAO should assist in this respect, either through direct field programmes or, better still, through the organization of suitable training courses in these fields. Only then shall we be able to reliably estimate stocks and save yields in each of our developing countries.
We support also the idea that to the extent possible forestry should be integrated with agriculture and foresters should also look to planting of trees which can also be of benefit for their timber.
My final point, Mr. Chairman, concerns the subject of forest protection from fires which is a serious problem in many countries having a dry climate. Quite often considerable extents of forests are being destroyed by accidental fires. This issue has not been directly covered in the Jakarta Declaration. My Delegation, therefore, strongly recommends that FAO’s activities could be substantially expanded in this field, in order to enable governments of developing countries to formulate programmes and acquire appropriate technologies and equipment in view to building a local capacity and expertise in forest fire prevention and forest fire fighting.
SANG WOO PARK (Korea): Since this is the first time for me to have the floor I would like to express the pride of having a very able Chairman and Vice-Chairman in this important Commission I. I also wish to express my appreciation to Dr. Rodas for his clear introduction and positive attitude towards forest policy. My delegation extends gratitude to the Government of Indonesia for hosting the Eighth World Forestry Congress which successfully finished in October last year. It is the opinion of my Government that the Jakarta Declaration clearly covers fruitful conclusions and recommendations in relation to current problems and the future prospects of the forestry and agriculture sector. Taking this Opportunity I am pleased to convey to you that my Government fully supports all the recommendations and conclusions expressed in the Jakarta Declaration because forestry is an integral element of basic résources to our human life. My delegation particularly stresses the importance of points 5, 7 and 9 of the Declaration.
The conservation of forestry resources and efficient utilization of forestry land are especially important in countries where increase in food production is seriously required with agricultural land constraint. The Republic of Korea belongs to these countries. We have to continue increasing food production to feed people in a country where less than one-quarter of the total land is agricultural and population density is very high. In order to bring self-sufficiency in main staple food grains in Korea today we have devoted our efforts not only to land reform, the green revolution and assimilated the current revision of integrated rural development movement, but also transforming of forestry land into agriculture land. We have been exploring forestry resources as an assimilated package programme because we believe that conservation of forestry resources supports agricultural production. New sources of rural income can be explored in forestry, and forestry is an important source of energy to rural people in the current energy crisis.
In this connexion my delegation asks FAO to play a more positive role to explore the useful forestry resources and also that FAO should develop the ideas expressed in the Jakarta Declaration in the future FAO Programme as an integral part of rural development.
T. B. S. KORACHI (Maroc) (interpretation de l'arabe): Monsieur le Président, la délégation marocaine qui prend la parole pour la première fois tient à vous présenter ses chaleureuses félicitations pour votre nomination au poste de Président de la Commission I. Je vous souhaite un plein succès dans l'accomplissement de cette charge. Nous présentons également nos remerciements à M. Rodaz pour son excellent exposé.
Les conclusions et recommandations de la Conférence de Djakarta ont mis en relief la nécessité de sauvegarder la forêt qui joue un role très important aussi bien économique que social. Elles ont également insisté sur l'urgence d'une mise en valeur rationnelle de la forêt et de ses ressources, tout en sauvegardant son équilibre biologique. Le Maroc souscrit à cette déclaration et l'approuve. Toutefois, il y aurait quelques observations à formuler.
Il nous semble que l'on n'ait pas assez insisté sur les relations qui lient la forêt aux autres secteurs de l'agriculture. En particulier, il paraît utile de souligner que la forêt est aussi un refuge naturel pour le cheptel qui y trouve une subsistance d'appoint pendant les périodes de pénurie en fourrage.
Cet afflux de bétail est souvent à l'origine de la dégradation de la forêt. Aussi, les programmes de sauvegarde de la forêt devraient-ils envisager des mesures touchant non seulement le patrimoine forestier lui-même mais également les régions limitrophes. Nous insisterons plus particulièrement sur la nécessité de mettre en place des programmes intégrés visant:
- l'amélioration des périmètres pastoraux afin d'augmenter leur potentialité fourragère et réduire ainsi la pression qui s'exerce généralement sur la forêt par les troupeaux riverains;
- la mise en valeur des terrains de parcours afin de fixer les populations et leur cheptel;
Par ce biais, nous pensons que nous aurons tracé une politique d'équilibre englobant toutes les composantes agricoles de la région.
Certes, le Programme EMASAR, dans la mesure où il est toujours en vigueur, tente d’apporter une aide pour l'amélioration des parcours dans certains pays, et c'est là une contribution importante de la FAO aux pays concernés.
Il serait souhaitable dans ce cadre que le programme ait une plus large contribution et qu'il intègre dans ses études le patrimoine forestier.
La forêt doit, comme il est mentionné dans la déclaration, contribuer à assurer des ressources importantes aux collectivités locales. Dans ce cadre, je citerai l'exemple du Maroc où une loi forestière a été promulguée en 1977 qui, entre autres mesures, prévoit l'affectation des ressources tirées de l'exploitation forestière au budget des collectivités communales qui sont dans notre pays l'unité administrative de base. Ces ressources permettent à la collectivité de se lancer dans ces programmes de développement général, d'amélioration et de l'extension de la foret et de ses productions, et constituent un moyen d'émulation entre les collectivités. C'est là un modeste exemple de ce que mon pays a entrepris dans le cadre d'une politique de mise en valeur de la forêt.
D. RICHTER (Germany, Fed. Rep. of) (interpretation from German): The 8tn World Forestry Congress hosted by the Indonesian Government in Jakarta, was a great success and I should like sincerely to thank the Indonesian Government and to express the appreciation of my Government to that Government for its cordial reception and for the excellent organization of this event, attended by more than 2000 delegates from more than 100 countries, as well as by representatives by twelve international organizations. The Congress has proved its worth as a forum for the exchange of ideas and experiences, between scientists and representatives of forestry administrations, as well as a point for establishing relations between representation of the forestry industry and trade in forestry products.
With the adoption of the Jakarta Declaration the Congress promoted worldwide awareness and consciousness of measures for the maintenance of forests and the purposeful and systematic management and utilization of forestry resources, to enable the forest to fulfil its manifold functions. The Declaration especially stresses the importance of the forest for the rural population and for rural development programmes. My Government agrees with the focal points in the statements.
The recommended measures go beyond what is purely technical. The Jakarta Declaration is there-fore addressed not only to forestry specialists and foresters but also, and primarily, to Governments. Governments are made aware of the consequences of the trends that have prevailed so far and the need for establishing long term programmes, going far beyond the area of forests as such. That is where the basic importance of the Declaration lies.
J. R. GOMEZ RICAÑO (Cuba): Nuestra delegación se une de todo corazón a la felicitación que usted a recibido por su elección, así como felicita también al señor Rodas por su clara y estimulante introducción.
La lectura y análisis de cada uno de los párrafos que conforman el documento C 79/22, titulado "La declaración de Yakarta" puesto a consideración de esta Comisión, revela, a juicio de la delegación cubana, cuestiones de interés para todos los países del mundo y en especial para los que están en vías de desarrollo.
En primer lugar, la Declaración sintetiza los acuerdos que se tomaron por los participantes al 8º Congreso Forestal Mundial en el marco de los debates en torno a las cinco esferas de discusión, o sea, "la contribución forestal a las Comunidades Rurales", "la contribución forestal a la alimentación", "la contribución forestal a la promoción del empleo", "la contribución forestal al desarrollo industrial" y "la contribución forestal a la calidad de la vida". Todo ello relacionado con el lema central del Congreso:"El bosque al servicio de la colectividad".
En sentido general, nuestra delegación apoya las sugerencias y recomendaciones que se hacen en el documento a los gobiernos con respecto a la variada problemática de sus recursos forestales y especialmente las referentes al desarrollo actual y futuro de las Comunidades rurales, cuya subsistencia y modo de vida en general tanto dependen de tales recursos en muchos países del mundo.
En segundo lugar, cuando analizamos párrafo por párrafo su contenido y los comparamos con lo que ha sucedido realmente sólo en el ultimo decenio con la creación, manejo, explotación, utilización, comercio y conservación de los bosques en los países en vías de desarrollo y el destino de las poblaciones que de tales bosques dependen, no podemos menos que sorprendernos y llegar a la conclusión de que entre el espíritu de la letra de los acuerdos del Congreso y otros similares que reiteradamente se han venido tomando en todos los eventos de carácter regional y mundial desde 1970, y las realizaciones concretas llevadas a la práctica por los países en materia forestal, media todavía un abismo ancho y profundo que afecta tanto a la vida de las Comunidades rurales como a los recursos mismos. Se reconoce que no menos de 1 500 millones de personas en el mundo desarrollado dependen de la leña para cocinar. Si ello es así, debemos colegir los serios problemas que esas personas tienen con los propios alimentos, el vestido, la vivienda, la educación y la salud, por la relación que generalmente existe entre modo de vida y tipo de energía utilizada.
Por otro lado, para darnos cuenta de qué le ha podido llegar de los beneficios que obtienen los países de los recursos forestales a sus comunidades rurales vamos a referirnos solamente a la producción y comercio de los productos forestales.
De la superficie total de los bosques del mundo estimada en 4 300 millones de hectáreas, más de la mi-tad, 2 970 millones de hectáreas, se encuentran en los países subdesarrollados, o sea, en los trópicos, subtrópicos y zonas semidesérticas de alta, media y baja pluviosidad; ubicación que indica, además, fragilidad de tales recursos y sus afines, suelo, agua, fauna, clima y paisaje escénico.
No menos de 930 millones de hectáreas de bosque denso, rico en maderas, aunque heterogéneo en especies y en edades, corresponden a los países en vías de desarrollo. De su potencial sostenible de 2 600 millones de metros cúbicos cada año se utiliza menos del 10 por ciento en productos forestales, de los que a su vez el 80 por ciento o más es leña. Ello indica, por lo menos, poco desarrollo de las estructuras sociales; de las infraestructuras de aprovechamiento e industrias; así como cortas selectivas, falta de personal capacitado, etc.
Tomando 1976 como año tipo, de los 35 000 millones de dólares que arrojó el comercio mundial de productos forestales, solamente 4 170 millones de dólares correspondieron a los países en vías de desarrollo y, según aparece en documentos de la FAO, las exportaciones de estos países consisten aun predominantemente en madera rolliza sin elaborar, a lo que se suma el inconveniente de no dejar ningún valor añadi-do a los países. Porque como acertadamente expresó el Presidente de los Consejos de Estado y de Ministros de Cuba, Comandante Fidel Castro, en su reciente histórico discurso pronunciado en el seno de las Naciones Unidas: "Para la mayoría de los países desarrollados la industrialización de los países en desarrollo es vista como una amenaza".
Por otro lado, en los propios documentos de la FAO se expresa que en 1976 las importaciones de los países en vías de desarrollo alcanzaron la cifra de 4 080 millones de dolares. A simple vista parece que hubo un pequeño balance favorable a estos países; pero cuando se conoce que son importadores netos de papel nos percatamos que la balanza es desfavorable porque ¿cuántos metros cúbicos de madera en rollos hay que entregar a cambio de una tonelada de papel? Esto se llama, señor Presidente y señores delegados, intercambio desigual, refiriéndose al cual el Presidente del Movimiento de Países no Alineados, en su reciente discurso de la ONU, expresó: "Hoy se cambia una hora de trabajo de los países desarrollados por diez horas de trabajo de los países subdesarrollados". Horasademás, que no resisten tampoco ninguna comparación en la magnitud del esfuerzo que se vierte en ellas. De este solo ejemplo que hemos tomado, o sea, el de la producción y el comercio maderable, ¿cuánto de los ingresos llegó realmente a las Comunidades rurales?; ¿cuánto de esos ingresos quedó realmente en poder de muchas trans-nacionales, aparte del agotamiento del recurso forestal?
En otras oportunidades hemos expresado que el sector forestal forma parte del contexto físico de cualquier país y que no podemos considerar el problema forestal desligado del problema agrícola, pues ambos constituyen la base del desarrollo en muchos de los países subdesarrollados.
Por ello, cuando la Declaración de Yakarta expresa en su párrafo siete: "Un compromiso con el desarrollo rural por parte de los forestales será ocioso, si no hay un compromiso firme de parte de los gobiernos. Este compromiso debe incluir medidas para reducir las desigualdades del campo, especialmente en la distribución de la tierra y en el acceso a los servicios y a la ayuda social, significa fomentar el esfuerzo propio, la ayuda mutua y la cooperación. Significa reconocer que la gente es la fuerza motriz del desarrollo y no simplemente el objeto pasivo del desarrollo".
Nos parece, señor Presidente, cuando leemos ésto que se está refiriendo a la realización de la reforma agraria; nos parece que se está refiriendo a cambios más profundos que han de llevar a cabo los pueblos para alcanzar las metas que propone la Declaración de Yakarta,
No obstante lo anterior, que consderamos como una premisa, nuestra delegación aprecia firmemente los esfuerzos que la FAO, con su idoneidad indiscutible en el campo técnico-organizativo, hará en favor de las Comunidades rurales relacionadas con la actividad forestal, como se desprende de los programas de montes, tal como cooperación técnica entre países en desarrollo, inversiones, programas de cooperación técnica y otros, con sus bases a nivel de países propuestos para el bienio 1980/81.
R. DZIECIOLDWSKI (Poland): The Polish delegation actively participated in activities of the Eighth World Forestry Congress and contributed to the development of the "Jakarta Declaration". The programme of action contained in it is thus by us generally accepted. Now we work on its implementation in practice.
The main theme of the Congress "Forests for People" requires the intensification of forest management and the development of woodworking industries. The Jakarta Declaration rightly states that "industries can be scaled to the economies of developing countries, rather than just to economies of scale". And further. . . "although mechanization of some activities may be desirable, the important role which forests can play in providing employment, suggests that in some circumstances; the labour intensive role of forestry should be deliberately preserved". One of the six Polish papers presented at the Congress dealt just with designing small wood industry plants for developing countries. Other papers from Poland concerned the protection of genetic material of forest plants and animals, the utilization of forest by-products, and health protection of forest workers. In each of these fields our country is able to provide expertise and assistance for developing countries needing it.
Our recent involvement in FAO activities in the field of forestry and wood industries is many-sided and fruitful. Our experts are active in the works of the FAO/ECE/ILO Joint Committee for Forest Operations and Vocational Training, the COFO, FAO Advisory Committee for Cellulose and Paper, the Wood Committee of ECE, and other bodies of FAO.
We organize numerous scientific seminars and other kinds of meetings of international character. In 1978 two such events took place in Poland. The first of them was a 10 days long study tour for 43 experts from 12. countries. It covered problems of forestry, wood and paper industry, and nature protection. The other one was the seminar, organized with the cooperation of IUFRO, in the prevention of accidents in forest operations, with the participation of 45 experts from 19 countries.
In 1979 also two symposia were organized in Poland. In August this year there took place in Warsaw an international symposium on the impact of airborne pollution upon vegetation. Some 56 high-class specialist from 25 countries and 6 international organizations, as well as a numerous group of Polish scientists participated in it. On November 5-10, 1979 there was convened in Poznan an international symposium on economic and technical aspects of the development of furniture industry.
All those important international meetings were organized by us in cooperation with, and under the auspices of FAO.
Future contributions of Polish forestry and wood industries to FAO activities will take various forms. Most important of them are:
Firstly, technical research, designing and organizational assistance in carrying out rational forest management, industrial wood processing, wildlife and environmental protection, game management, and organization of national parks and nature reserves;
secondly, equipment and participation in equipment of woodworking plants in machines and tools produced in Poland;
thirdly, further cooperation with FAO in organizing in Poland international scientific meetings. In 1981, for instance, a workshop on forest-fire prevention and protection is planned;
fourthly, cooperation in developing forecasts, projections, and trade prospects for definite branches, markets, and regions. We may be able to extend these works to include continental or global scale;
fifthly, training of foresters and wood specialists from developing countries in our colleges and universities;
sixthly, sending Polish experts in forest and wildlife management, wood and paper industries, and natural environment protection for short and long-term assignments in developing countries.
This is our programme of cooperation with FAO on the implementation of fundamental tasks and goals of forestry put forward in the Jakarta Declaration. It goes without saying that those highlights which concern the intensification of forest production and protection of forest gene resources which apply to European conditions are the subject of our routine work under the programme of national forest economy. "Forests for people" was an idea practised in our forestry some years before the 8th World forestry Congress.
A. MASHHADY (Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of) (interpretation from Arabic): Since I take the floor for the first time, I would like to congratulate you on the trust of the Conference which was clearly evinced by your election to chair this Commission, and I wish you all success.
We believe that the document on the "Jakarta Declaration" has included a number of very important points concerning the field of forestry and the role of forestry in rural developments, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia deertis it necessary to accelerate acceptance of this recommendation. In spite of this, the document did not concentrate upon, or give sufficient details about, the following points:
Wood and timber are a multi-purpose resource which should not be defeated by use as firewood. The Kingdom believes that we should find other sources of energy, such as solar energy, and that we should embark on the. search in this field.
We believe that we should pay greater attention to studies into developing forest in arid and semi-arid areas and increasing the areas of forest so as to prevent soil erosion and to stem the encouragement öf the desert. In addition to the role played by forests in developing livestock in arid areas, we also have to protect forests from certain dangers such as flooding and fires.
We should also assist certain countries to protect and preserve their natural resources and, since the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is convinced of the role played by forests in developing natural resources and of the need to protect the environment from certain climatological factors, and bearing in mind the benefits to be gained in the fields of leisure and tourism, and in order to use trees for sand dune fixation, we have etobarked on an ambitious programme to increase the areas of forest in the Kingdom. We have set up a special Department of Forestry which has the following functions:
One is reforestation in a rational manner, either industrial or natural, to protect forests from fires, to combat pests and fungus diseases whichmay damage forests and control the attack by certain rodents and animals which could affect trees and to set up shelters. We have also embarked on a sand dune fixation programme in the eastern part of the Kingdom and we have planted about eight million Atollan plants iti this programme.
The Department also has artificially renewed some of the forests in Baha, Taif and Asir. We have reforested approximately 18 thousand Donum in the first area, five thousand in the second, and 1 600 in the area of Asir. The number of plants planted there were approximately 400 000.
A·AUTOINE (Grenada): Mr. Chairman, may I congratulate you on your election as Vice-Chairman of this Commission. May I also congratulate Dr. Rodas on hie very 'brilliant and clear introduction. May I also finally congratulate the Government of Indonesia for having hosted the Jakarta Meeting which culminated in this Jakarta Declaration.
Without recapping the contents of the Declaration, I would like to say that the delegation of Grenada supports and endorses the Jakarta Declaration. In fact it is very close to our own policy for the development of forestry. However, the Declaration will reinforce and further inform our own policy on forestry.
We regard our 10, 000 acres of forest as central to our entire agricultural strategy. The whole of our agricultural sector, indeed the survival of the entire country, is dependent on this 10, 000 acres of forest which occupies the centre of the island and from which all streams radiate. It is true that if one destroys the agriculture one destroys the people. Within a policy framework quite related to the Declaration we have been developing this very vital natural resource. We have taken an inventory of our foreste. We have developed a scheme for the harvesting of existing forest and the replanting systematically of new forest. We have in fact been embarking on a system of replanting fruit forest, that is, large trees which, other than the wood, yield fruit.
Because we regard the conservation aspect of forestry as vit al (this is why we made this point this morning on fertilizer, that it is vital to recycle organic waste in any kind of discussion on fertilizer development), we see in fertilizer and therecycling of waste and the preservation of forest a key to the preservation of water and soil resources. But in forestry we face financial and technical problems, particularly financial. Indeed, on the programme that I mentioned before, it would seem that we can only re-afforest about a quarter of the planned area. In this regard we shall be relying very heavily on the resources of FAO for technical assistance and, hopefully, on other international agencies for our financial assistance, so we look forward to support for our programme, especially as it fits so nicely into the Jakarta Declaration.
H. CAURIA (Finland): During the Seventy-fourth Session of the Council in November last year, my country was one which supported the proposal to submit the Jakarta Declaration to this Conference. We did it because we considered it timely to draw the attention of the highest governing body of FAO to the impact which forestry is able to have for the good of the people in developing countries, particularly in rural areas.
The Eighth World Forestry Congress in Jakarta dealt with a wide range of problems related to forestry in developing regions. The layout of the Congress rested basically on forestry premises. However, what is significant is that the approach to the problems was entirely guided by the overall theme of the Congress "forests for people". This gave the discussions, in a way, a new dimension, which can be seen in many recommendations of the Jakarta Declaration.
In view of the importance of the Declaration as a whole and of the single recommandations included in it, one may be tempted to underline and elaborate on a number of those recommendations. However, I have chosen not to do so, because I think that this might lead too far into technical issues, and this Commission is, after all, a forum for policy matters.
What is significant, however, from a policy point of view is that the foresters of the world-those who are working in the forestry institutions and administrations in all Member Countries-have proved that they clearly see the potential of the forests as a means of contributing in a concrete and meaningful way to the welfare of the people. How this is to be done is a policy matter as well as a technical issue. The ways and means vary from country to country, but the principles for carrying them out are put forth in the Jakarta Declaration. I also want to say, based on experience in my own country, that unless people who have influence in political, administrative and financial matters recongize the possibilities of the forest resources as a component in building up their country, the provision of many important commodities and services will be endangered, and even the living conditions of the people-the environment-may suffer irreparable damage. Therefore it is the wish of my delegation that the Jakarta Declaration should be carefully studied in all Member Countries, not only by foresters, but above all by decision-makers, planning authorities and people who are involved in agriculture and rural development matters.
Finally, it has been noted that the Declaration contains no recommendations specifically addressed to FAO. This is, of course, formally true and it may be quite right that the World Forestry Congress directed its message primarily to the governments. After all, they have the political and operational power at the national levels.
However, in our view, FAO has been, and will he in the future as well, deeply involved in the matters related to the implementation of the recommendations of the Jakarta Declaration. As we all know, FAO's role is other than that of the Member Countries, hut its responsibilities in supplying technology, consultancy and advisory and training services are always there. We believe that the Declaration is already taken by FAO as a useful document for guidance in its further activities with the Member Countries.
I. OZORAI (Hungary): May I start by Saying how pleased my delegation is to have in the Chair the representative of Indonesia, a country that extended very warm hospitality to the participants to the Eighth World Forestry Congress in Jakarta. We also appreciate the brilliant introduction of Dr. Rodas.
The Jakarta World Congress has given a comprehensive review of the world forestry and timber industry. The Declaration made a commendable attempt to focus on the possibilities forestry may use in contributing to the solution of the problems the world economy is facing. According to the general views of the Congress, two prerequisites have to he considered for this solution. The first is the common understanding so that every economic development in forestry should serve human welfare. The second is the elaboration and implementation of programmes in utilizing natural resources of which forestry is considered one of the most significant.
It was the first time, at this Congress, that forestry had been given not merely traditional hut specific consideration. It has become evident that apart from the production of timber and fuel wood, forestry is a responsible key element of the human environment. Forestry has a role in ecological protection too. The biosphere surrounding our globe cannot be divided by country boundaries nor can it be subject to national legislation. The inter-dependence which has become a near reality in mother nature would hopefully be pursued in the economic, social and political cooperation between countries as well.
Since the Second World Forestry Congress held in Budapest in 1936, it was the Jakarta Congress where, for the first time, research and research workers were brought into the limelight. Not less than 120 research workers were holding scientific lectures and making professional statements which covered about half of the total information at this Congress. Science and practice made a perfect platform. The Congress encouraged participating countries to support research in forestry and in the timber industry to a greater extent.
The Government of Indonesia, as the host, did its utmost in promoting the successful and fruitful work of the Congress.
In conclusion, I should like to say that in my country the Eighth World Forestry Congress has remarkable publicity and the experience gained there will serve to benefit our forestry people in carrying out their work.
G. PUERTA ROMERO (España): La delegación española desea, también, en primer término rendir público homenaje de agradecimiento al Gobierno y al pueblo de Indonesia por la celebración, con gran éxito, del octavo Congreso Forestal Mundial. Tenemos experiencia en estos Congresos, por haberse celebrado el sexto en nuestro país, y estamos en capacidad de apreciar el tremendo esfuerzo realizado y también como el éxito del mismo debe satisfacer plenamente a sus organizadores.
En este éxito ha participado, sin duda, la FAO, que además de su apoyo aportó su conocimiento y experiencia en los problemas forestales mundiales. Buena parte de ello lo constituyó el propio temario del Congreso al abordar, ante todo, los problemas de las poblaciones rurales pobres y el potencial del sector forestal para resolver, en parte al menos, estos problemas. Con esta orientación se ha demostrado una vez más la sensibilidad de la FAO hacia los problemas del mundo en desarrollo.
Desearíamos comentar algunos de los principales puntos de que consta la Declaración de Yakarta. En primer lugar compartimos la preocupación mundial por la disminución de la superficie forestal, lo que representa una seria amenaza, no sólo para la producción de las necesarias materias primas, sino también para la protección del suelo y el agua.
También ha sido preocupación del Congreso que traslada a los Gobiernos y a los forestales en particular, la contribución que debe hacer el bosque y las nuevas plantaciones forestales a la alimentación de una población mundial cada día en aumento.
Que España es deficitaria en la balanza comercial de productos forestales, muy principalmente en madera y derivados de madera, es cuestión sobradamente conocida por los Organismos dependientes de las Naciones Unidas, y en concreto por la FAO. Por ello, por la Administración forestal española se ha tomado ya muy buena nota sobre las recomendaciones encaminadas a la mayor producción, tales como la utilización óptima de cada hectárea forestal a través de los trabajos culturales que demande, la plantación de especies de crecimiento rápido, las plantaciones en el medio agrícola, que además de hacer un efecto protector produzcan madera, y aquellas otras plantaciones y utilizaciones del bosque que permitan aportar alimentos a la población, desarrollando e investigando técnicas agroforestales.
En España se han tomado medidas para que en los próximos años, y ampliando la actuación ya realizada en años anteriores, se desarrolle un programa de auxilios a la actividad forestal que contempla toda las acciones que se hagan, junto a proyectos de ordenación, planes técnicos y trabajos de infraestructura encaminados al aumento de la producción.
El Congreso, señor Presidente, se ha pronunciado también sobre la contribución que debe dar la actividad forestal a la población del medio rural, empobrecido en casi todas las regiones del mundo. Esta opción, que compartimos, confiamos que pueda hacerse cada vez más intensa en nuestro país, en beneficio del desarrollo de la actividad forestal.
Toda la actividad forestal en España va dirigida por tanto, de una parte, a disminuir nuestro desequilibrio exterior en productos de la madera, y de otra no menos importante, a vitalizar nuestras áreas rurales especialmente las de montaña, proporcionando a nuestros suelos y nuestras aguas la beneficiosa influencia de una cubierta forestal protectora, pero sobre todo a su población una mejor calidad de vida.
No está de más recordar a este respecto que España está incluida, desgraciadamente, en lugar de preferencia en el mapa mundial de la desertificación, y que el deterioro secular de grandes áreas forestales nos ha traído males que estamos tratando de corregir ahora con grandes costos y esfuerzos. Hemos elaborado un programa de seguimiento y lucha contra la erosión en la España mediterránea que reclamará fuertes inversiones en el próximo decenio.
En esta misma línea España va a establecer un proyecto en el Sureste del país para la lucha contra la desertificación en el Mediterráneo, dedicado a mejorar el conocimiento de las causas de la desertificación y las técnicas a aplicar para combatirlo, así como a la formación de personal.
Queremos, señor Presidente, que este proyecto pueda servir para la comunidad internacional interesada en estos problemas y, por lo tanto, lo ponemos a disposición de la FAO, esperando poder contar más adelante con su participación en el mismo.
Por último, nos satisface señalar, que en la medida de nuestras posibilidades, estamos colaborando con numerosos países, y sobre todo con los de Iberoamérica, haciéndonos mutuamente partícipes de nuestras experiencias en el campo forestal.
No quisiera cerrar mi intervención sin respaldar vivamente la intervención clara y concreta del Subdirector General de Montes de la FAO, Dr. Flores Rodas, sobre la Declaración de Yakarta.
S. A. PARVEZ (Pakistan): The Pakistan delegation would like to compliment Mr. Rodas for the lucid and able manner in which document C 79/2 was introduced to this Commission. The Jakarta Declaration on Forestry was the result of the deliberations of the Eighth World Forestry Congress. My delegation is very pleased to be associated with the great appreciation and tribute extended to the Government of Indonesia for hosting such a significant congress.
The importance of the forestry sector need not be over-emphasized as this is now a universal realization. When the English World Forestry Congress urged the governments of the world and professional foresters to make increased efforts towards forest improvement, better land management, improved research and greater emphasis on development in forestry outside the forest areas in view of the present social and environmental pressures, it was only giving words to a felt need which has become more pronounced today than ever before. We feel that the World Forestry Congress was a significant forum that addressed itself to a matter of fundamental importance. We commend the theme of the Congress and also the Declaration. The Jakarta Declaration has our full support and it gives me pleasure to inform the Commission that Pakistan has already been seized of the situation and has under implementation several forestry projects and programmes that the Jakarta Declaration calls on Member Governments to embark upon.
I would now like to apprise you briefly of the position of this sector in Pakistan. Like most countries Pakistan too finds it desirable to maintain a certain minimum of its area under forests. Based on the density of population, state of development, consumption habits and climate it is estimated that Pakistan
would require 20 percent of its area to be under forests. The shortage of forest produce in the country is very serious and to overcome it we have taken steps to change the widely entertained notion that forestry has no right to any productive land and must be limited to residual land. The role of forests in the national economy, both productive and protective, entitles forests to claim an adequate share of land and water. In the recent past developments of far-reaching importance have taken place in this sector that recognise the part played by forests in our economy and also in maintaining environmental balances.
The new forest policy aims at the maintainance of quality of human environmental improvement, increasing wood production, development of under-developed wooded area, development of water sheds through proper land use, development of range lands for optimum production of forage and livestock, conservation of wildlife and development of silviculture. Based on the above the allocation for the forestry sector in Pakistan in the Fifth Five-Year Plan has been raised to about 119 million dollars. This is a substantial increase from only about 14 million dollars allocated for the forestry side in the Fourth Five-Year Plan. Implementation of the Fifth Five-Year Plan is being undertaken through the following measures.
Firstly, popularising the growing of trees on farmland and in urban areas through a vigorous forest extension programme. Secondly, large-scale forestation programme for state and private lands including linear planning and development of riverain forests. The increasing productivity of the main coniferous forests and irrigated plantation by introducing intensive fast-growing species. Fourthly extended watershed range management, wildlife management and silviculture programmes, and fifthly improving the standard of education and research in forestry and starting effective education and research in wild lands, especially range management, harvesting and processing of wood silviculture and wild life.
I have gone over briefly what we in Pakistan are doing to demonstrate that the Jakarta Declaration is an important milestone. We have not only endorsed it but also are trying our best to implement it in both letter as well as spirit to the extent possible within our available resources. We would however like to stress here that FAO and international assistance to boost activity in this sector would be appreciated. In conclusion, we are gratified to note the importance and priority that the Director-General is giving to the forestry sector and would like to emphasize the need for this session of the Conference to endorse the Jakarta Declaration.
M. PANJSHERI (Afghanistan): As this is my first time taking the floor I want to say congratulations to you in this position.
The forests in our country occupy 1. 978 million hectares and play a significant role in national economy. They provide cover to the mountains, haul down large precipitation, prevent soil losses and check the onward march of deserts. Forest protection, regeneration, restoration and scientific exploitation are urgently required to sustain and save them from further depredation. Reafforestation is the need of the hour to tide over the serious problem of denudation, land degradation and to prevent desertification. Here I would like to draw your kind attention to the recommendations made by the Nairobi Conference on Desertification. The Conference urged the United Nations, and the specialized agencies to provide adequate technical and financial aid in addition to present international and bilateral aid to the developing countries to combat desertification through scientific forest and pasture management. Pastures in our country occupy 62 percent of the total land area and constitute an extremely important source of animal nutrition. Therefore, I will request the FAO to consider the deputation of an expert committee to evaluate the present position of forests, range lands and pastures in our country. The recommendations of the Committee would provide chief guidelines to prepare a sound investment programme.
We also urgently need an adequate trained personnel for forest and pasture management. I am sure that training of our forest men along with establishment of a Forest Research Institute will receive enough and sympathetic attention for the FAO.
Mr. Chairman my delegation in Jakarta supported the Declaration. Right now, once again, my delegation supports the Jakarta Declaration in document C 79/22 prepared by the Secretariat of FAO which is very important for improving the national diet and for expanding the marketing of animal products abroad. So it is imperative to improve the quality and quantity of animal products which is possible through the development of our range lands, and to improve economic, social and cultural conditions of the nomads, living in these areas.
Thousands of hectares of these pastures are destroyed every year due to lack of any programme for their preservation and protection. Survey work in 16 provinces has been completed for formulating programmes for improvement of these pastures and range lands. Nutritious grass varieties will be grown, and where
possible, irrigation facilities will be provided. Since long years ago social classification has been brought among Kochis and they have divided the pastures among themselves. The Kochi chieftains in addition to cattle raising are engaged in trading of wool, ghee (milk fat) and dairy products and with the collaboration of comprador traders exploit almost all the Kochis.
Forest land. Afghanistan has 1, 980 million hectares of forest land out of which 450, 000 hectares is in Paktia and 440, 000 in the Kunar region, the rest is scattered in the northern and western parts of the country. The forest provides us with wood, packing material for fruit and vegetables for local and foreign markets. The annual exploitation capacity of the forest land is about 28. 66 million cubic metres of wood and 1. 2 million cubic metres of wood is used for different purposes. The largest energy necessary for house heating and cooking purposes is provided by the forest wood and bushes. The wood consumption as a fuel is more than 1, 000, 000 tonnes every year, of which more than 500, 000 tonnes are cut from forests.
The forests in the northern and northern-western part of the country mainly in Badgis and Herat provinces, covering 500, 000 hectares, are producing about 80, 000 tonnes of pistachio, which is a dry fruit earning considerable foreign exchange. Formerly, the forests of pistachio were very dense, but diminished slowly due to indiscriminate exploitation. Another dry fruit Chalgoja (pincon pine) is also collected from forest, mainly grown in Paktia, Kunar and Nangarhar provinces.
The method of cutting forests is very primative and it causes a lot of damage to forest lands. Because of such unplanned cutting and over-exploitation the forest area is decreasing by more than 3 percent each year. If enough attention is not paid for the protection and preservation no forest will exist in Afghanistan within the next 20 to 25 years.
The Government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan considers that protection, restoration and planned exploitation of forests is a very urgent matter and in order to save the forest land from destruction the following measures have been planned during the Five Year Plan period (1979-1983):
(a) More than 500, 000 hectares of forest land will be surveyed for proper planning of forests.
(b) Feed roads in forest lands will be constructed for easy approach to the forests and easy transportation of forest products.
(c) Forest lands covering about 1. 3 million hectares will be protected from improper exploitation.
(d) About 110, 000 hectares of land will be reafforestated.
(e) The ecological studies of the forest region will be completed.
(f) The proper exploitation system for wood and fruit production in the forests and facilities for their marketing will be studied and developed.
Mr. Chairman, our delegation in Jakarta supported the Declaration and now once again my delegation supports the Jakarta Declaration and also supports FAO assistance in their forest development.
M. QADI (Observer for the Palestine Liberation Organization) (interpretation form Arabic): In response to your appeal for brevity I would like only to refer to the fact that forests in my occupied land, Palestine, is subject to a lot of pressures. The fanatic Zionist gangs, supported by the Israeli Government, are occupying forests as public holdings for the establishment of new settlements and for restriction of Arab areas under several pretexts, including security. Thus, they seek to eliminate a large area of these forests. Israel also adopts a policy to disallow the plantation of new areas of forests, especially in the mountainous areas, so that water, rainwater may cultivate the coastal areas under the occupation of Israel. Israel suffers from a deficiency of water resources to cover its investment plans for the next years, as was stated by the Director of Water Department of Israel who said that Israel needed 450 million cubic metres of water in addition to available resources in order to cover its investment plans. This is in addition to the fact that there are other security considerations. We are now considering the question of forests and I wish to draw the attention of the international community to the practices of Israel in this respect so that your distinguished Commission may adopt any appropriate method to stop the elimination of existing forests. And I also wish that you send an investigation, or enquiry committee, from this Organization to Israel in order to investigate the situation prevailing as far as forests are concerned in my occupied country.
H. BAR-SHAI (Israel): One cannot exaggerate the importance of forestry to the national economy both economically and ecologically. Being a semi-arid nation, we know from our own experience that trees can help change the climate and bring about more rain in many areas. This is true to countries which are geographically situated in areas similar to ours.
One of the main tasks is to find suitable means to aid food production through rational foresting.
In the Mediterranean Region there is a very active Forestry Commission that has been dealing with the special problems and aspects of forestry of this region. It had shown some good results, and through international cooperation had contributed much toward progress in this period and to the benefit of the nations’ economies.
May I voice Israel's request and hope that the Mediterranean Forestry Commission continue its independent activity as has been the case until now. 1/.
The meeting rose at 17. 30 hours
La seance est levée à 17 h 30
Se levanta la sesión a las 17. 30 horas
1/. Statement inserted in the verbatim records on request.
