Asia-Pacific forestry commission
Teak Subcommission
Indonesia was host to the Fourth Session of FAO's Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission held at Bandung from 8 to 21 June 1957. Sixty-three representatives from the following countries participated: Australia, Burma, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaya, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, North Borneo, Sarawak, Singapore, and the United States. Observers were also present from the U.S.S.R. and from the International Organization for Standardization (180), the Regional Housing Center, UN Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE), and Indonesia State Planning Bureau and local societies.
Mr. Marcel Leloup, Director of the Forestry Division, represented the Director-General of FAO, and Mr. C. S. Purkayastha, FAO's Regional Forestry Officer, acted as Secretary.
The Minister for Agriculture of Indonesia, Dr. Sadjarwe, opened the session and received the warm thanks of delegates for the excellent arrangements made for the meetings and for the generous hospitality displayed by the host country.
The Commission elected Mr. Soesilo H. Prakoso (Indonesia) as its new Chairman. Mr. Thiem Komkris (Thailand) was elected First Vice-Chairman and Mr. Tiburcio Serevo (Philippines) Second Vice-Chairman. Mr. F. G. Browne (Sarawak, U.K.) was chosen Rapporteur for the Session.
Progress in the region
The feature of the business meetings was a review of the progress made in forestry in member countries of the region since the last session in Tokyo just over two years ago. In introducing the discussions, Mr. Leloup expressed appreciation of the rapid progress that undeniably had been made. He had some doubt, however, whether this progress was sufficiently coordinated or integrated either between the different fields of forestry or with the other sectors of the economy with which forestry activities must be dovetailed; and whether sufficient consideration had been given to the fact that rapid industrialization of a country, and perhaps profound changes in agricultural policy, must lead to changes in the pattern of land-use.
With only one exception detailed reports had been submitted to the present session by all member countries, and the main trends revealed by these reports were highlighted by delegates. In several countries, forestry and forest industry development projects have found an important place in the over-all national economic development plan, although their implementation is sometimes hampered by limitation of funds and short age of trained technical personnel. A number of countries reported progress in land classification and the setting up of national committees, composed of various interests, for the purpose of land use planning. They also reported progress made in the inventory of their forest resources.
Some countries are pursuing a policy of increasing forest areas by purchases of private land for forestry purposes, and of encouraging farm forestry, sometimes through the establishment of farm forestry associations. The establishment of community forests is receiving increasing attention, and in many instances conditions appear to be favorable for the creation of village forests. Firm guidance from the forest services is, however, essential to ensure the success of village activities connected with the management of such forests.
Increasing interest and activity in the field of soil conservation including fixation of sand dunes by planting, was noted. In connection with the problem of shifting cultivation, measures were reported which have been taken to encourage nomadic people to settle, such as the introduction of perennial crops and, in some cases, assistance to cultivators by the provision of houses and cattle, and steps to protect forests from fire and encroachment. With the rising pressure of population and costs of living, the risk of breaches of forest law grows. Increased employment in forestry activities under development schemes help to minimize these breaches.
Forest improvement work such as regeneration and reforestation, and silvicultural and management work generally, are receiving increasing attention in many countries. Large areas are being brought under working plans, and forest plantations extended on a large scale. Experimental introduction of exotics as well as the establishment of fuelwood plantations and windbreaks were mentioned by some delegates.
Where forest grazing poses serious problems, and in some countries it was reported as being of major concern, efforts are being made to enforce regulations and restrictions including deferred or rotational grazing. Closure of overgrazed areas in and zones have resulted in markedly increased growth. Introduction of fodder species in afforestation areas and improvement of the grass cover are other measures employed, as well as the promotion of stall feeding. The need for research and experimentation in forest range management is being increasingly realized.
With few exceptions, steady progress was reported in mechanization of logging and transport operations, and the construction of more forest roads. Most countries still find that a combination of animal and power traction is most suitable. Owing to the construction of dams, river floating of timber is becoming less important as a means of extraction and transportation.
Practically all countries reported either expansion of forest industries or an increase in their number. The need was clear for rationalization and modernization of the sawmilling industry in the region. Some progress is evident in the utilization of lesser known hardwood or secondary species, which has largely resulted from research in impregnation and seasoning. Great interest was shown in many reports in the testing of secondary hardwoods both for pulping and for the manufacture of plywood and furniture, as well as for construction purposes, Impregnation of secondary timbers for sleepers is being carried out on a commercial or experimental scale in several countries. The various lines of research being carried out should greatly widen the use of secondary timbers, particularly if the results obtained are given adequate publicity in trade channels.
The increasing use of gas, electricity, oil and coal, and improvements in cooking and heating devices, are relieving the demand on forests for fuel in some countries of the region. However, in countries with large and dense population such as India, Pakistan, Ceylon and Java (Indonesia), fuel shortage is acute. Fuel plantations already established are a step in remedying the situation, but much more remains to be done as a matter of high priority.
Improvements were reported in some cases in the wages and living conditions of forest and wood industry workers, but in many countries there is a scarcity of forest labor, and particularly of skilled labor. Various incentive schemes are in operation for the purpose of stabilization of the labor force and attracting newcomers to forestry work.
Technical discussions
The agenda of the Commission had a heavy number of technical items to be dealt with. For some of these special ad hoc committees were appointed as follows:
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Education in forestry: |
Chairman: J.C.K. Marshall (Malaya) |
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Silviculture and management research: |
Chairman: G.G. Takle (India) |
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Rapporteur: J. Wyatt Smith (Malaya) |
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Forest products research: |
Chairman: Nizar Kamil (Indonesia) |
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Rapporteur: H. J. Burgess (Malaya) |
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World Forest Inventory 1958 and forestry statistics: |
Chairman: H. R. Gray Australia) |
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Rapporteur. H. Tromp (FAO) |
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Nomenclature, grading and standardization of hardwood logs and sawn hardwood: |
Chairman: C. O. Flemmich (Singapore) |
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Rapporteur: E. Andresen (Thailand) |
The reports of these committees were endorsed by the Commission and appear in the final report of the session. It was agreed that the recommended grading rules for hardwood logs and sawn hardwoods should be published by FAO.
As regards higher forestry education, eight countries now provide full professional courses in forestry, while the others avail themselves of training facilities abroad. Intermediate training is available in eleven countries, though the levels of training are not entirely uniform.
Training of forest guards or foremen is organized as in-service training or in the way of regular courses. Training centers or extension services are in a few cases used to improve the forestry knowledge of forest owners.
Increased activity in the field of propaganda and education of the public in the importance of the forests and their conservation was reported from practically all countries in the region. Tree festivals (Arbor Days), establishment of school forests; propaganda by means of films, pamphlets, posters, radio broadcasts, and prizes and awards for planting were indicated as the means employed to that end. The introduction of forestry subjects in the regular training of administrative officers, and in community projects and extension courses as reported by one country, is noteworthy.
Work of FAO in the region
Finally, before proceeding on various tours arranged by the Indonesian authorities, the delegates reviewed current FAO activities in the region and advised the Director-General as to the desirable future orientation of FAO's work as it affected the Asia-Pacific area.
An interesting debate on watershed management and shifting cultivation led the Commission to urge that a training center on research methods and techniques in watershed management should be established by FAO in one of the tropical countries of the region. Member Governments should take steps to include watershed management in curricula of forestry courses in schools, and should consider observing a national soil and water conservation week, as is done in Ceylon, to promote better public understanding of these problems.
The Commission recommended that an ad hoc Working Party on Forest Working Techniques and Training of Forest Workers be set up, comprising specialists familiar with both modern technical organization of forest work and specific regional problems. This Working Party should act as a preparatory body to a permanent working party or committee, to be set up later, similar but not necessarily identical with the joint FAO/ECE Committee.
The Secretariat reported on the progress made with the study on timber trends and prospects in the region, recommended by the previous session of the Commission to be undertaken by FAO in collaboration with ECAFE. After approval of the study by ECAFE, an outline for country reports had been drawn up and co-ordinators appointed in many countries. When the country reports have been submitted by all the co-ordinators, ECAFE and FAO will be able to proceed with their critical analysis and the elaboration of the whole study. The Commission fully appreciated the many difficulties with which Member Governments had to cope in collecting the necessary data but expressed satisfaction with the statements made by a number of delegations that the collection of this information had made their governments aware of the serious scarcity of statistical data essential for the formulation of sound forest policies, and that in some cases steps had already been taken to remedy the situation.
The Commission welcomed a proposal to organize in 1959 a Far Eastern meeting of economic and technical experts on the pulp and paper industry in collaboration with ECAFE, similar to a meeting held in 1954 in Latin America. The pros and cons of exploiting natural tropical forests or establishing plantations of quick-growing species in this region should be considered along with other technical and economic problems.
The first meeting of the Teak Subcommission of FAO's Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission was in Bangkok in 1955. It met for the second time at Bandung, Indonesia, during the period 4-10 June 1957. Thirty-two representatives participated from Australia, Burma, France, India, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Mr. G. G. Takle, Inspector-General of Forests, India, and ex officio Chairman of the Subcommission, expressing thanks to the Government of Indonesia and the Indonesian Forest Department on behalf of the delegates, said that India owed a great deal to the management and silviculture of teak in Java which had greatly influenced in early years techniques in India and elsewhere. There was provision for very large-scale plantations of this species during India's second Five-Year Plan so as to increase the proportion of teak which at present is confined to only 8 percent of the total forests.
Bibliography
One of the basic functions of the Subcommission is the compilation and publication of a bibliography on teak. A large body of literature in several languages already exists, recording the results of research, observation, and studies on the silviculture, management and utilization of teak. The progress made so far with a bibliography has been rather slow, and the Subcommission asked the countries concerned to expedite the work and submit the required information to the Secretariat as early as possible.
Growing of teak
The Subcommission received reports on teak grown under exotic conditions from some 30 territories or states in Africa, the Asia-Pacific region and Central America. The information submitted varied too much in presentation to permit a comparative analysis of the results, but it was obvious that:
(a) There is a widespread interest in the introduction of this valuable species under appropriate climatic conditions in different parts of the world.(b) Reports of success and failure are divided. The comparatively high proportion of failures points to the need for the compilation of a manual on the silviculture of teak for the use of countries desiring to introduce teak as an exotic.
(c) Where the introduction has been a success. there are plans for large-scale propagation of this species though scarcity of suitable land is in some cases a limiting factor.
(d) Damage from insects and other injurious organisms seems for the time being to be less under exotic conditions than in the natural teak-growing areas.
(e) Even where growth is poor, teak can still usefully meet local needs for poles, posts and fuelwood.
Considerable progress has been made in the cultivation of teak in some African territories, and extensive plantations have been established because of the good results of pioneer trails. A noteworthy feature is the plentiful natural regeneration spreading from the early plantations established prior to the first world war. Generally results have been satisfactory in those areas where there is a distinct dry season and soil is suitable, but even under more adverse conditions teak can still be profitably grown.
Discussions revealed disagreement among different experts on the effect of teak on fundamental soil characteristics. There was danger in attempting to judge the suitability of a particular locality for the growth of teak merely on the basis of early growth. Many cases have occurred where in the initial stages teak has grown quite well on soils which were later found to be unsuitable to sustain satisfactory growth. The Subcommission thought that, from the evidence so far to hand, it was not yet possible to prove or disprove soil deterioration due to teak. It noted with interest the measures being taken by the Indonesian Forest Service to prevent soil deterioration, mainly control of fire and grazing, keeping the soil under the teak forest covered with natural undergrowth, planting of Leucaena glauca along contours, terracing in hilly country. and construction of small wooden dams in gullies. It was stressed that close co-operation between the Forest Service and the Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Services is essential to achieve the desired objectives.
The exchange of views fully confirmed the desirability of further research on ecological and site factors necessary for the successful growth of teak.
Regeneration
Distinction between the various races or strains of teak, whose existence is accounted for by the fact that teak occurs naturally over a large area and therefore under varying climatic, edaphic and biotic conditions, is made either on the basis of differences in morphological characters, physiological behavior, or physical properties of the timber. Experiments on teak races from various origins have been carried out over many years in India and Indonesia, and the Subcommission recommends that this work be extended on similar lines in other countries. To ensure that valid comparisons of results can be made, an appropriate experimental design for the carrying out of this work must be drawn up.
The Subcommission noted with interest that seed-orchards are being established in Indonesia, and that research has started on the vegetative propagation of teak with a view to creating teak clones to be planted in those seed-orchards.
Utilization
The Subcommission went on to discuss management systems, tending and thinning, improvement fellings, injuries and protection, and the inventorying of teak forests. Interesting discussions took place on the activities of the working party on utilization since its establishment by the Subcommission at its first session, as well as on progress made in member countries in the period under review. The Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Organization (CSIRO) was invited to draw up a program of timber testing for all the interested countries in consultation with the Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, India, where most of the testing of teak has been carried out in the past.
Output of teak
Production of teak reported to the Subcommission for the year 1956 was as follows:
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Country |
Roundwood |
Sawn timber |
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Logs |
Poles |
Fuel |
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....in thousands of cubic meters.... |
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Burma |
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... |
... |
59.9 |
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India |
206 |
195 |
69 |
55.7 |
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Indonesia |
575 |
... |
875 |
10 |
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Thailand |
... |
15 |
... |
285a |
a Roundwood equivalent of sawn timber
...Not available.
In Burma, the sustained yield capacity of teak forests is estimated to be 250,000 tons of roundwood annually and the aim is to reach this figure. Owing to the ever-increasing demand for teak wood in Indonesia, and the limited scope for expansion of teak forests due to population pressure, increased production can only be brought about by reduction of waste and improved silviculture. Recent inventories carried out in the three northern provinces in Thailand have revealed that there is a serious deficit in older age classes, and the middle age classes are also greatly depleted. The output of teak will be greatly reduced in the near future and this state of affairs may continue for a number of years.
Trade
Reported exports for the year 1956 were as follows:
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Country |
Roundwood |
Sawnwood |
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........ in thousands of cubic meters........ |
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Burma |
7.6 |
72.9 |
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Indonesia |
8.6 |
1. 2 |
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Thailand |
12. 4 |
76.5 |
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Laos |
0.6 |
- |
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TOTAL |
29.2 |
150.6 |
The shortage of shipping facilities and high freight rates charged by shipping firms are serious obstacles to the expansion of trade.
Prices for teak of all categories have risen in all producing countries over the last few years although the increase is not appreciable in Indonesia. This upward trend of prices has made possible the exploitation of teak stands that have so far been uneconomical to work. On the other hand, there is danger of substantial substitution for teak if this upward price trend continues for any length of time. In order to stabilize price at an economic level, Burma is attempting reduction in production cost by improved extraction methods, including mechanization. Thailand is trying modified sale methods by making teak logs available to sawmillers at a controlled price as opposed to competitive price through auction sales.
During the session, the Subcommission was able to record that full agreement had been arrived at on recommended grading rules for teak squares. As regards grading teak logs, progress was also made and agreement arrived at between the representatives of Thailand and of Burma. The Indonesian delegation could not agree to the draft rules, since a different system of grading is traditional in that country. As any further postponement of this question wag not likely to yield any change in this attitude, the Subcommission decided that the recommended grading rules for logs as now established by its working party should be published for general information.
There was a great deal of common ground so far as the grading rules for conversion timber were concerned. It was, however, felt that further trials in inspection of conversion timber based on the present draft rules might help to clarify several points still at issue and lead to an agreed set of rules. The Subcommission hoped that by the next session agreement would have been reached.
