Reduced impact logging in Peninsular Malaysia : re-designing and re-tooling of the logging system

The International Tropical Timber Trade organisation (ITTO) defines sustainable forest management (SFM) as the process whereby forest resources on permanent forest lands are managed in such a way that a continuous and sustained flow of desired forest products and services is assured without negatively affecting the inherent values of the ecosystem and its future productivity as well as the physical and social environment. The ITTO Year 2000 Objective states that all internationally traded tropical timber should be sourced from sustainably maanged forests by the year 2000. The SFM concept calls for a concerted effort to develop a system of management (including resource harvesting and rehabilitation) which is proactive and tailored to the local site characteristics and variations taking into consideration the various operational, environmental and social as well as economic constraints and opportunities. A properly planned and appropriately executed timber harvesting operation will inevitably result in controlled and limited damage to the residual stand, the soil and the surrounding environment without jeopardizing the long term objectives of management. Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) and Low Impact Logging (LIL) are generally accepted as means to minimise negative impacts of harvesting on forest stands and environment. The existing road construction and harvesting guidelines consider many aspects of RIL. They lack, however, clear regulations on the appropriate machinery and its proper use. Aerial logging systems (air-borne harvesting systems subsumed occasionally under LIL) are not considered in this report. Futhermore, there was no intention to replace the existing machinery for road construction and harvesting totally. Instead, redesign and retooling of the current harvesting system was considered more relevant to reduce the considerable damage usually inflicted on the stands and the environment by proper handling of the existing equipment and machinery. The purpose is in line with the criteria for setting priorities when changing logging practices, which were formulated by Tuttle (1996) during a short-term consultancy on a Code of Practice for logging operations in Peninsular Malaysia. It says: (1) Changes that can be implemented with existing equipment should be made first(2) Changes that produce the greatest environmental benefit should be made first. A Code of Practice for RIL is contained in the report of Tuttle (1996). As a follow-up it was considered necessary to analyse the present logging system concerning type and use of the machinery and equipment and to develop proposals for redesign and retooling of the road construction and ground-based harvesting operations. The main aim of the study was to analyse the existing timber harvesting operations with the intention to identify its major weaknesses and to advise on improving, redesigning and retooling. Recommendations for training of the personnel involved have been developed. The following major weaknesses were identified : 1. Existing road construction and harvesting standards are widely disregarded. 2. Indiscriminate use of bulldozers in road construction and harvesting. 3. Lack of training in environmentally benign road construction and harvesting techniques. 4. Lack of awareness of the negative impacts of forest operations on stands and environment. The recommendations of both assignments focussed on these issues. This report is based on a study on reduced impact logging conducted in a concession forest area of Jengai Forest Reserve, which is under the Kumpulan Pengurusan Kayu Kayan Terengganu (KPKKT). The first assignment in July/August 1997 focused on logging system analysis. A few recommendations were implemented and the effect was studied at the second assignment in March 1998. Focus was on retooling of the logging system resulting in proposals for further action. During the study the existing harvesting procedures were examined and critically analysed using methods of work-study including interviews of the workers and additional field observations. Based on the findings improvements of the system were formulated such as re-designing of the operations and re-tooling of the equipment. The subsequent field implementation of these recommendations on Block C of compartment 54 is expected to result in a reduced impact logging which conforms to the SFM criteria and indicators.