This case study on reduced impact harvesting in Indonesia is part of a continuing effort by the Forest Harvesting, Trade and Marketing Branch of FAO to bring usable information to the world forestry community. Case studies are part of the FAO commitment to promote environmentally sound forest harvesting operations world-wide. The objective of the study is to test the applicability of some of the suggestions made in the FAO Model Code with reference to improved forest harvesting practices in tropical high forests. This research was conducted in the forest concession area of PT. Sumalindo Lestari Jaya IV, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, in 1996, on reduced impact timber harvesting versus conventional timber harvesting operations. When applying reduced impact harvesting practices, forest stand damage was reduced to half of the amount as compared with conventional methods. The level of system productivity was very encouraging. The total cost difference was not significant between the conventional system and the reduced impact system used in this study. This case study again demonstrates the necessity of doing a conscientious job of harvest planning. The investigators found that a major obstacle to expanding good planning practice is the lack of topographic maps at a scale and accuracy useful for forest harvest planning.

Type of Case
Printed publication (book, sourcebook, journal article…)

Publisher
FAO

Region
Asia Pacific

Biome
Tropical

Forest Type
All forest types (natural and planted)

Primary Designated Function
Production