BY the time that the second session of FAO's Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission opened at Singapore in December 1952, a shipment of about 60 tons of various Burmese noncommercial hardwoods, which FAO had arranged to have tested and processed in Europe by the latest methods, was on its way back to Burma. This is one of the practical ways in which FAO hopes to assist the countries of the East in the solution of their tremendous housing problems.
Southeast Asia, where there are more than 600 million people, has a housing shortage greater than any other part of the world. The climatic conditions of this region, with distinct seasonal changes between heavy rains and strong sunshine, require particularly effective shelters for the physical and mental well-being of the people.
The magnitude of the problem, lack of experience, and difficult political and economic conditions do not yet allow a generally applicable solution. Many of the countries of the region, however, are now endeavoring to found their future on a new economic and social basis. The solution of the housing problem, especially in the overcrowded urban and rural districts, is one of the chief prerequisites for social development as well as for stable political conditions.
Better and cheaper building materials need to be produced in large quantities from domestic sources. Durable timbers are becoming more and more expensive and scarce in the whole region, whereas non-commercial and mostly non-durable hardwoods are widely available. To convert these species into reasonably priced, high-class building material for walling, flooring, roofing, doors, windows, industrial constructions and even for utility forniture is a basic problem of forest utilization and forest management. It requires progressive methods of seasoning, impregnation or mechano-chemical conversion.
The experimental processing of Burmese timbers in Europe arranged by FAO has already proved in its first phase that potential wealth lies in the disregarded "non-commercial" hardwoods of the tropics if far-sighted national development schemes can ensure a long-term demand for the products. Progress along the same lines might be achieved by introducing bamboo for the reinforcement of concrete and replacement of steel.
FUEL is another commodity with which the forest must make a tremendous contribution to the economy of the region. Available statistical figures reveal only small percentage of the actual consumption, which is met to a very great extent from unrecorded sources. Recent FAO investigations have shown that the actual consumption of firewood and charcoal exceeds the statistical figures by 7 to 20 times, and that in quantity fuel is by far the greatest item of wood utilization in the region. Wood will for long be the chief household fuel in this part of the world because it can be obtained from local sources.
But the uneven distribution of forest resources, the growth of population and the drain on exhaustible sources calls for a long-term production program to meet the growing requirements. Afforestation with fast-growing species near to consumption centers, and increased efficiency in consumption by the development and introduction of improved cooking devices are two answers to this problem.
There has been a joint ECAFE - FAO investigation into the use of fuelwood for locomotives in Southeast Asia. A similar study is required on the more efficient use of wood in industries both for heat and power. A broad regional survey of all aspects of the fuelwood problem is contemplated, covering production and consumption. Regional training and demonstration centers may be arranged to encourage the more efficient utilization of domestic fuels in households, industry and transportation.
SUPPLY of indispensable building material for transportation is the third essential contribution of forests to the economies of Eastern countries. A campaign has been started for reducing the unduly high quality requirements for railway sleepers, for broader application of chemical treatment and for introduction of treated non-durable species instead of durables.
Regional standardization of dimensions and of other specifications will be an ultimate goal. Much research has still to be done before the experiences of the temperate zone can be adapted fully to the more severe conditions of the tropics. Impregnation has to stand the leaching effect of the heavy rains and attacks by termites and many other insects; the hot sun during the dry season causes cracking and splitting which, however, can be avoided by use of inexpensive bandages, a method widely applied in Central Europe in recent years.
The use of timber for railway cars is also undergoing fundamental changes. Impregnation by new types of relatively inexpensive synthetic resin produces a great increase of durability, better retention of shape under severe climatic conditions and improved mechanical properties. Large-size building boards ensure better insulation and improved appearance.
Many of the Eastern countries have thousands of miles of navigable inland waterways and are planning to modernize and mechanize their means of inland navigation. The production of new boat building materials, to replace in part the traditional expensive species by improved timber products is being investigated.
Secondary hardwoods can be used for bridge construction and for telephone and minor transmission lines instead of steel if careful chemical treatment and proper engineering is applied.
PAPER is another essential contribution of forests to the economy of the region. In the world as a whole, pulp and paper consumption have been rising steadily many decades. Since the war, production of pulp for paper of all types has gone up by more than 7 million metric tons. But the increased consumption has been most uneven as between countries. At present, in countries of this region, average paper consumption per person is less than 1 kg. per year.
Among the pulp raw materials available in the region, the vast resources of bamboo rank first. Regarding fiber length (about 3 mm.), bamboo replaces in the East the conifers of the temperate zone and permits the production of high-grade writing and printing paper. Additional raw materials for chemical pulp are sabai grass, rice straw and bagasse. The production of mechanical pulp and newsprint, however, is still practically nil, although this commodity is badly required by most of the countries. A search for sufficient quantities of light broadleaved species, suitable for grinding, has to be initiated all over the region. FAO has started a worldwide pulp and paper survey, sending teams of experts to many countries to investigate the technical and economic possibilities for creating new centers of production. It is anticipated that the general situation can be assessed within a very short time and that, soon after this first phase, specific development programs for different regions can be worked out.
THE story of the contribution of forests to economic progress would be incomplete without mentioning the correlation of forests and food. The history of nearly every nation shows that in the early stages food is derived to a high degree from forest by grazing, hunting, fishing, collection of honey, fruits, mushrooms and manifold other products. This situation is still true for many areas of the East. Modern technique, however, has developed additional means to convert even wood into different types of fodder and food stuff.
Dreid wood yeast contains a high percentage of protein (45-50 percent) and it is a good source of vitamins of the B group. A daily ration of a few grams only could greatly enrich the main food supply which is mostly deficient in protein-vitamin content. Especially for feeding of children in famine areas it could be of great assistance.
The drawback up till now, however, has been the strong flavor and the cost. If the development of a flavorless yeast materializes and further reduction of cost can be achieved, production of wood yeast may become practicable as provision against cases of emergency.
A Power Alcohol Seminar, recently held at Lucknow (India) with FAO cooperating, dealt among other things with the sacharification of wood. The results of this meeting may help to clarify the technique which, could one day become of great practical significance for the protein and vitamin supply of the famine areas of the world.
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