Near East Forestry Conference
Technical assistance activities
Logging techniques and training of forest workers
Far eastern mechanical logging training center, Philippines
Delegations from Iraq, Jordan Lebanon, Syria, France, Kingdom, and United States of America participated in a Near East Forestry Conference at Amman from 13 to 20 December 1952. The Director-General of FAO convened this meeting after the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of the Jordan had generously offered to act as host.
Observers attended from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and the International Poplar Commission. Messages regretting their inability to send representatives, but expressing support for the aims of the Conference, were received from Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, and Pakistan. Several FAO Technical Assistance officers, working in the region, assisted in the deliberations.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General at the opening of the Conference, Marcel Leloup, Director of the Forestry Division of FAO, said that it had proved possible to convene a conference at the present time because a "forest consciousness" was really being awakened in the countries of the Near East, mainly due to the personal initiative of a number of men of vision, several of whom he was glad to see attending the conference The time was now ripe, he thought, to see what could be done through pooling the experience of various countries of the region, by international go-ordination of effort, and by making the best use of the facilities available through FAO for promoting sound forest policies. It was useless to disguise the fact that, of all the regions of the globe, the Near East was probably faced with the most serious forestry problems and those most difficulty to solve. Forestry, he said, came up against inveterate customs and lack of understanding on the part of the very people who would stand most to gain from its success.
The Conference was formally opened by His Excellency Sayyid Musa Nasr, Minister of Finance, Jordan, who also attended some of the working sessions. (In Jordan the Ministry of Finance is responsible for the administration of all State domains, including the forests). In his introductory speech Mr. Musa Nasr was quite frank about the causes of forest degradation in Jordan, and throughout the Near East generally. In Jordan the tempo of destruction markedly increased during and immediately after World War I when extensive forests of oak, juniper, pistachio, and even olive groves, were ruthlessly exploited to provide fuel for the Hedjaz Railway and charcoal for the adjacent cities. A first step towards preventing unrestricted exploitation of the forests of the East Bank (formerly Trans-Jordan) was the enactment of a Forest Law in 1927, which placed all woods and forests deemed to be the property of the State under the administration of the Department of Agriculture and Forests. Since the State, however, held no clear titles, many difficulties arose. The next and most important step, continued the Minister, was the definition of title in each village throughout the country, with the result that all uncultivated land and the greater part of the existing forests were registered in the name of the Government. In order to avoid further disputes, the boundaries of State forests were clearly marked on the ground and surveyed on the cadastral maps.
In 1937 the control and administration of forests on the East Bank were transferred to the Department of Lands in the Ministry of Finance. Finally in 1952 a Department of Forests was created in charge of both Banks of the Jordan (the West Bank was formerly under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Forest Service). The personnel of the new Department now totalled 162 officers and forest guards. On the East Bank an area of over 200,000 hectares had been registered as Government forests, and on the West Bank already about 900 hectares had been reserved for forestry. No doubt further large areas would be set aside during land settlement proceedings which should be completed within the next twelve years.
In 1949, after the nucleus of a trained professional staff had come into being, the Government provided sufficient funds to permit a modest start to be made with the planting of denuded areas. In 1950 it was possible to commence large-scale operations by direct seeding, a method which previous experiments had shown to be the cheapest and the most likely to be successful. In addition, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency had undertaken as a relief measure the afforestation of some 2,600 hectares under the supervision of the forest staff.
After the Minister had spoken, Mr. Leloup went- on to say that conditions in the region imposed particular obligations on foresters. They could not be satisfied with forest policy alone, but must also be concerned with grazing policy and even agricultural policy. It was essential to get even the small farmer interested in tree plantations of industrial species, as well as of other species such as fruit and fodder trees which would prove very useful to him. How could the farmer be induced to plant a tree wherever a tree might be useful to him, That was a problem which demanded earnest attention.
Mr. Leloup spoke before an audience of a great number of Government officers, technicians, and private citizens, whose sentiments were expressed by Mr. Ferhan Shibalat, Lord Mayor of Amman when he addressed a warm welcome to the members of the Conference and wished them every success in their endeavors.
Before starting consideration of the agenda, the Conference elected A. H. Hiloue, Director of Forests, Syria, as Chairman, Y. es Salti, Assistant Director of Forests, Jordan, and A. Berjaoui, Chief of the Forest Protection Service, Lebanon, as Vice-Chairmen, and appointed H. Kittani, Assistant Director-General of Forestry, Iraq, as Rapporteur. The main decisions of the Conference were as follows:
Forest policy and conservation
The Conference recommended that governments should take measures including the use of air survey, to speed up the reservation, demarcation and inventory of national forests, making provision for the settlement of claims to ownership titles and the definition in law of forest rights and ab antiquo usages. Due weight must be given by governments to forestry in land use planning, so that the role of forestry was not subordinated to the needs of agriculture and animal husbandry but kept in proper perspective in relation to all other forms of land use. The prime function of each forest reserve should be defined The Conference affirmed the need for forest services to have adequate powers, backed by law, for the protection and development of each country's forest estate.
It suggested that all forms of grazing which were incompatible with proper silviculture be excluded in forests where protection or production was the main objective of management. In forests where livestock grazing was considered to be the most economic and satisfactory form of land use, care should be taken to control the intensity of grazing and to enrich forest grazing areas by scientific range management and the introduction of better fodder species. Adequate compensation or alternative subsistence must be offered for the grazing communities affected in cases where forest grazing must be restricted or eliminated. The introduction of improved breeds of animals, more intensive development of stall-feeding methods, and an increase in cultivated fodder resources were called for. Close collaboration should be established between all services concerned with this matter, in particular those responsible for agriculture, animal husbandry and forestry.
Finally, the Conference urged governments to give every consideration to the expansion and proper technical training of the staffs of their forest services.
Right round the world in 27 countries from Iceland to Chile, from Libya to Iran, and from Pakistan to toe Philippines, FAO technical assistance is helping towards the conservation and wise use of forests and rangelands and towards increased production from forest industries. In many instances technical assistance has entered into a second phase, the planning for and implementation of activities recommended by specialists in the course of the initial phase. These photographs illustrate the variety of the work in which FAO in engaged.
Afforestation and reforestation
The Conference took note of a number of interesting afforestation schemes that had already been carried out in the various countries of the region. The results of the experience already gained or to be gained should be exchanged between countries.
In view of the sparsity of natural woodlands and the general scarcity of timber and wood of all kinds, governments should encourage by a variety of means the planting on communal and private lands of fast growing species, for instance poplars and eucalypts. The International Poplar Commission was requested to arrange for one of its next meetings to be held in the Near East.
Other recommendations concerned the certification of seed quality and origin, the exchange of plant material for research, and advice from FAO on correct methods of collecting and storing seeds.
Forestry propaganda and public education
In order that effective publicity should be given to countries' efforts to promote an appreciation of forestry and forest values, governments were advised to inculcate a "tree consciousness" in children of all ages through their school teachers, and a favorable public opinion through influential political and administrative personages, and through community leaders whose advice is commonly requested and followed by villagers. Since forestry work cannot be successful without the backing of the people, funds spent on forestry publicity and public education were not wasted. The interest of the public should be stimulated by pro viding "shop windows" in the form of practical demonstrations of tree planting, thinnings, and other approved practices.
FAO was requested to sponsor, in liaison with the forest services of Arab countries, the translation and publication of a simple forest terminology in Arabic, including definitions of technical terms.
Forest products and wood industries
Strong efforts are in fact being made in the region to step up future forest production through the introduction of systematic forest management. The Conference urged governments to continue these efforts. It was felt that great improvements in forest utilization could be secured through better charcoal-making techniques, especially the use of metal or masonry kilns.
Many of the Near East countries are or will soon become big exporters of fruits which raised the question of packaging and crating. FAO was asked to provide documentation on new types of packing, and on the manufacture and use of fiberboards, chipboards, and reconstituted wood.
A recommendation was made to investigate local forest species which could supply tannin materials;- the inclusion of tannin-rich species in planting programs was proposed.
The needs of the populations in the region for fuelwood could not be met without continuing damage to the remaining forests. Governments should promote a policy of replacement of fuelwood by other sources of energy such as electric power, liquid gas and petroleum products, in which the region as a whole was rich.
Technical assistance
It was agreed that technical assistance of use to the region could take two forms, one that benefited each country separately and the other intended to help all the countries in the region collectively. The latter was in fact complementary to the former, and of high importance in the development of the Near East. The setting up of a Forest Reseach Center for the Near East where scientific and technical aspects of the forestry problems peculiar to the region could he studied, was a case in point. The translation and publication in Arabic of all kinds of forestry literature was another. The Conference recommended that interested governments should, in consultation with FAO, come to an agreement to set up at least one common forestry school for the training of forest guards; the - teaching should be in Arabic. In the meantime governments should consider arranging through FAO to obtain the services of Arabic speaking forest rangers from countries where forest services were already well developed, to teach and train local staffs.
Near Fast Forestry Commission
The Conference agreed that it would be to the interest of countries in the region to be able to exchange information on forest policies and technical forestry problems on a continuing basis. It therefore recommended to the FAO Conference that the establishment of a Near East Forestry Commission should be approved, the secretariat to be provided by FAO, and the Commission be composed of governmental delegates.
During and after the conference, various study tours were organized through the courtesy of the governments of the Hashemite Kingdom of the Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, to give an opportunity to the participants to discuss in the field some of the questions considered in the course of the meeting. A forestry exhibition organized by the forest service was visited at Beirut, where the delegates also attended the Festival of the Trees, traditionally celebrated during the month of December in the Lebanon. (In Jordan it is celebrated in January.) They also attended the first observance of a Festival of the Trees at Damascus. The President of the Republic of Syria and the Prime Minister together with various ministers and members of the Diplomatic Corps attended the ceremony (See picture).
The FAO European Forestry Commission has a Committee on Logging Techniques and Training of Forest Workers whose terms of reference are "to foster international collaboration in the field of felling, logging and timber transport, in order to support national efforts aimed at increasing productivity, including output of labor, reduction of waste. prevention of accidents and the improvement in the standard of living of forest workers."
The first meeting of this Committee took place at Geneva in March 1952 and a second held at Helsinki from 16-25 February 1953, on the invitation of the National FAO Committee of Finland, was attended by delegates from eight countries Austria, Finland, France, Western Germany Italy, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
The Committee emphasized the need for rationalized methods in forestry so as to enhance productivity in forestry and forest management, and on improved tools and machines. Rational methods of logging are considered easy of application and give immediate results in increased production while ensuring a healthy development of the forest. Moreover, it is felt that rationalization of this kind can increase timber supplies by rendering more economic the exploitation of distant or inaccessible forests.
The first meeting of the Committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Winkelman (Switzerland) defined the main points to be studied. It was decided to review the research work on logging techniques undertaken in different countries, to investigate the question of comparison of performance ratings, and to carry out an enquiry into the mechanization of forest work. The International Labour Office (ILO) offered to collaborate in a study about training schools for forest workers.
The delegates to the second meeting of the Committee decided to complete the survey of institutes carrying out research work on logging techniques and to publish this list, together with a bibliography. The survey would be revised every two or three years.
Logging pilot techniques in Finland
An international study on performance ratings for the felling of coniferous trees of specified sizes under similar conditions of weather, site, etc. is to be attempted, but many difficulties stand in the way of obtaining reliable results in this field. A comparison of performance tables and salary contracts and a questionnaire on "best methods" as taught in training schools or courses are planned. It is proposed to arrange an international training course for timekeepers, probably in Switzerland.
The Committee has approved an interim report on the Use of Power Saws which will be submitted, on completion, to the next session of the European Forestry Commission in the autumn of 1953. A study on Mechanized Loading of Timber in Finland was the subject of a short report, and it was decided to amplify this with material available from other countries. The study on Special Criteria and Equipment for Tractors, which had been undertaken in collaboration with the Industry and Materials Division of the Economic Commission for Europe, was considered of considerable importance not only for tractor users but also for tractor manufacturers. After some revision the study will probably be published and a further broad study of the principal uses of tractors-in road building, hauling, transport and soil cultivation - is planned.
Further investigations will enable the interim report prepared by the ILO Secretariat on the training of forest workers to be amplified. It will be presented to the next session of the European Forestry Commission.
Thus this Committee has stimulated a valuable interchange of information and experience between countries on rationalization in forestry working techniques. Together with the International Union of Forest Research Organizations, it has given an impetus to research in this field and has enabled useful studies to be carried out aimed at increasing productivity in forest work.
In September and October 1952, forty forest officers, officials of Government timber exploitation departments, instructors from forestry colleges, and technical and managerial staff members of timber companies nominated by the Governments of eleven countries of Southeast Asia arrived in Manila, Philippines, to attend a course of training in mechanical logging. This course had been organized by FAO in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. The countries represented and the number of trainees sent by each were as follows: Burma (5), China (1), India (3), Indonesia (3), Laos (2), Malaya (7), North Borneo (4), Pakistan (2), Philippines (5), Thailand (7) and Viet Nam (1). At the end of December 1952, one additional fellow from Burma joined the course for two months.
The project stemmed from requests to FAO by several governments in the Southeast Asia region for experts to advise on mechanical logging. Judging by these requests, there appeared to be a real interest in the introduction of mechanized equipment and rather more modem methods of timber extraction than generally existed in most countries of the area. It was decided, therefore, to establish a Regional Training Center for instruction in mechanical logging and Mr. II. G. Keith (Canada), lately Conservator of Forests, North Borneo was appointed to organize and direct the project.
After careful consideration of various proposals, the Director-General of FAO came to the conclusion that from the point of view of mechanical logging alone and aside from any consideration of adequately controlled conditions recognized generally as being essential to good forestry, the Philippines would be the most suitable country in which to establish the proposed training center. It is in fact, the only country in the region where mechanical logging is the rule rather than the exception. Subsequent negotiations with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines resulted in the completion of a ' host ' agreement which was signed in Manila on 3 April 1952.
Aim of the training Center
The aim of the Mechanical Logging Training Center was clearly expressed by Sir Herbert Broadley, Chief, FAO Expanded Technical Assistance Program, in these words:
"The aim of the proposed course of instruction is to provide training to selected forest officers, and selected persons from commercial enterprises, from various countries in tropical Asia, in mechanical logging under forest conditions that closely approximate those pertaining in the countries from which they come. It is essential that trainees, at the conclusion of the course of instruction, should have gained a clear idea not only of the possibilities, but also the limitations of mechanical felling and extraction of timber, including transport to sites of processing plants. In a course of training lasting only six months it is not possible to turn out logging engineers and skilled operators, but trainees should be in a position, when they return to their respective countries, to determine whether or not mechanical extraction can be applied economically and what equipment or system can be used or adapted to their local conditions. If the course of training accomplishes these objectives, the center can be regarded as having fulfilled its purpose."
The original scheme envisaged thirty trainees but later, owing to the interest displayed in the project, agreement was reluctantly given to increasing the numbers to thirty five and finally to forty. This tote] was still insufficient to accommodate the number of nominations which governments proposed to make but, as it later proved, was larger than could be dealt with conveniently, particularly as regards food, accommodation and transport, and in the field, it also tended to interfere with observations.
Program followed
The Training Center officially opened on 4 October 1952.
A fairly detailed program had been drawn up, as follows:
1-31 October:College of Forestry, University of the Philippines, Laguna, Philippines. Theoretical instruction and lectures by training center instructor and staff. Lectures by technical staffs on logging equipment, machinery, and related materials, and by manufacturers representatives and agents. Cinema films and slides showing machinery, equipment, etc.
1 November - 1 December:
Messrs. Nasipit Lumber Company, Tungao Logging Camp, Agusan, Mindanao, Philippines.
2 December - 1 January:
Messrs. Basilan Lumber Company Mahayahay Logging Camp, Basilan Island.
2-29 January:
Messrs. Insular Lumber Company Col. Griffin Logging Camp, Fabrica Occidental Negros.
1-24 February:
Lumbering operations of Messrs. Benguet Consolidated Mining Company, Bobok Logging ( amp, Mountain Province, Luzon.
25 February - 25 March:
College of Forestry, University of the Philippines. Review of operations and techniques studied in the field. Distribution of manufacturers catalogues and trade literature. Completion of reports. Lectures by technical staffs of representatives and agents of logging machinery and allied equipment manufacturers. Cinema films of machinery and equipment. Visits to various wood-using and forest products plants in Manila and vicinity. Mechanical Logging Training Center closes.
One Instructor (Professor G. Zamuco, Professor of Logging Engineering, College of Forestry, University of the Philippines); two Assistant Instructors (Foresters, Bureau of Forestry, Philippines); and an Administrative Secretary (Forester, Bureau of Forestry, Philippines) were seconded to the Training Center, and accompanied the trainees throughout the duration of the course. Mr. Florencio Tamesis, Director of Forestry Philippines, was appointed honorary co-director of the Training Center and it was largely due to his untiring efforts that the aim of the course was achieved.
During their Stay at the various lumber companies the trainees were given every opportunity to observe and study the various logging operations, and the methods and techniques peculiar to each company. Lectures were given by the technical staffs of the companies on all phases of the operations and questions by trainees were encouraged.
A few details relative to these companies are as follows:
The Nasipit Lumber Company. This company holds a concession of around 47,000 hectares on Mindanao Island; employs daily an average of 700 men in logging operations and 850 in the sawmills; production during 1952 was 26,328,243 bd. ft. (62,000 m.³) of lumber and 245,151 m.³ of logs. Methods employed by the company for extraction are high lead; tight line, heel boom loaders, steam donkey and diesel yarders; tractors; trucks and water transport. The principal species exploited are apitong (Dipterocarpus spp.), tangile (Shorea polysperma), red lauan (Shorea negrosensis), bagtikan (Parashorea plicata) and white lauan-almon (Shorea almon), Pentacme contorta, and mayapis (Shorea squamata); all but apitong are marketed under the name Philippine mahogany.
The Basilan Lumber Company. This company holds a concession of 24,000 hectares on Basilan Island; employs daily an average of 206 men in logging operations and 232 in the sawmills, their annual production during 1952 was 42,000,000 bd. ft. (99,000 m.³) (log scale). Methods employed by the company for extraction are high lead; heel boom loaders, power loaders on crawler tracks; tractors, diesel yarders; logging arches; trucks and water bans port. The principal species exploited are apitong (Dipterocarpus spp.), tangile (Shorea polysperma), red lauan (Shorea spp.), white lauan - Shorea almon, Pentacme contorta, kalunti (Shorea kalunti), and almon (Shorea eximia).
The Insular Lumber Company. This company holds a concession of about 66,800 hectares on Negros Island; employs daily an average of 700 men in logging operations and 1,300 in sawmills; 1952 production was 50,432,866 bd. ft. (119,000 m.³) of lumber. Methods employed by the company for extraction are high lead gin pole loading; steam donkeys and diesel yarders, tractors for railroad construction; rail and locomotives. The principal species exploited are red lauan (Shorea negrosensis), almon (Shorea eximia), apitong (Dipterocarpus grandiflorus), tangile (Shorea polysperma), white lauan - mayapis (Shorea squamata), bagtikan (Parashorea plicata).
The Benguet Consolidated Mining Company. This company holds a concession of 15,000 hectares in the Mountain Province on Luzon Island, in its lumbering and sawmilling operations it employs a daily average of 935 men; production, which is for the sole use of the company's mines, amounted in 1952 to 17,309,650 bd. ft. (41,000 m.³) of lumber, 2,933,642 linear feet (894,000 m.³) of slabs and lagging, and 1,500 m.³ of round timbers. - Methods employed by the company for extraction are modified North Bend sky line; aerial tramways; tractors for road construction; diesel yarders. The company exploits only Benguet pine (Pinus insularis).
Experience gained by trainees
During their stay in the Philippines, trainees had an opportunity to compare the relative merits of truck logging, under both dry and exceedingly wet conditions, with rail logging; tractor logging versus ground skidding, high lead, aerial tram, and sky line systems, and steam donkeys as against diesel yarders, all of which should be of the greatest value when considering introduction of mechanical extraction in their own countries. In addition, facilities were provided whereby they had opportunities to visit not only the sawmills of the host companies but also other plants using timber and other forest produce as raw materials.
While studying the operations of the main "host" companies, the trainees were able to make short visits to smaller operations and most of them took full advantage of these side trips. Some of the trainees unfortunately had had no previous experience or training in sustained jungle work, and there was a tendency in some instances for enthusiasm to wane as the course progressed, particularly when logging operations were attended by all the discomforts of rain, mud and heat.
It was partly for this reason that the original plan of integrating the trainees with the employees of lumber companies in the actual logging operations could not be put into effect, aside from the fact that the large numbers would have made supervision difficult under these circumstances.
Generally speaking it may be said that the aim of the training center was achieved. The majority of the trainees learned a good idea of the relative merits of the various logging systems that they had seen in the Philippines and the type of equipment that could be best adapted or adopted for use in their own countries, and most of the men will certainly think twice before installing any system, without modification, that may result in waste and forest destruction.
They themselves saw and were not slow to comment upon and criticize the damage that can result from mechanical logging operated without regard to, or careful consideration of, its effect upon the forest. It is most unlikely, therefore, that trainees returning to their own countries will recommend to their governments or their firms the haphazard adoption of any system of timber extraction that disregards the principle of sustained yield. As a result of their own observations, they have been forewarned of the dangers so aptly described in a recent critical review of technical assistance activities:
" There is, of course, a danger that the techniques which will be applied with the greatest zeal will be those for more efficient destruction of forests... "
Trainees should, on the contrary, be in a position to introduce or advise upon the introduction of carefully planned methods of mechanical logging.
International value of the course
An account of the Mechanical Logging Training center would be incomplete without some mention being made of the excellent relations that existed throughout the entire course amongst the trainees themselves, as well as with the various people in the Philippines with whom they came in contact. When it is considered that the forty trainees, consisting of almost twenty different racial strains from eleven countries, lived cheek by jowl for six months [under conditions that cannot be described as luxurious, the fact that they maintained throughout the whole period a high standard of mutual respect and understanding would appear to be but yet another proof that a common interest is more important than racial, religious and linguistic differences.
