8. REGIONAL UPDATE FOR SOUTH AND EAST ASIA by D. Baskaran K^[9]

1. Introduction

Southeast Asia continues to possess the highest biodiversity among terrestrial ecosystems known on earth. These forests however, face immense threat from human activity. Increased population and pressure for social and economic development have resulted in rapid decline in the forest areas. The main causes behind the loss and/or degradation of forest are poverty, over population, inequitable distribution of land ownership, misguided policies, inept public sector debt, lack of knowledge and trained personnel.

The awareness created at the Earth Summit in 1992 at Rio on the importance of forest and environment has changed all these. All the countries in the region are now waking up to the fact of the exceptional diversity present in their respective countries and the importance in their maintenance and management for their continued sustenance.

This review gives a report of the activities being carried out towards the conservation of the forest genetic resources in each country found in the South and East Asia Region. An appendix of the priority species for conservation in each of these countries is also appended. The countries covered in the region includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam

2. Regional Status Report by Countries

Brunei

General

Brunei is a small state. The forest in Brunei are generally categorized into two broad categories namely the Forest Reserves and Stateland Forest. The former is kept as permanent reserves and is to be managed for maximum benefits. The latter is earmarked for non-forest development such as for agriculture, industries, residential areas etc. The Forest reserves currently covers some 42% (or approximately 226,000 hectares) of the total land area of the country and have been carefully managed and well maintained for sustained yield management. Now, steps are being taken to increase the present extent of the reserved forests to about 55% of the total land area. This is in compliance with the objectives of the National Forest Policy. The Policy dictates that the country should maintain at least 55% of the land under permanent forest cover.

Policy and International Issues

The most effective statutory instrument for the protection of Brunei’s forest and biodiversity is the Forest Act. This act came into effect in 1951 and was subsequently revised in 1989. Various other acts like the Mining Act, 1920; Town and Country Planning act, 1972; Land Code, Water Supply Act, Customs Act, Poison Act 1957, Fisheries Act, 1973 and a number of others are in support of the Forest act. The Government is now in the process of drafting an Environment Act.

Technical and Biological Issues

A total of 1,100 hectares within the Labi Hills Forest Reserve and 53 hectares in the Badas Forest Reserve have been earmarked for seed production and conservation of genetic resources. The ASEAN-Canada Forest Tree Seed Centre in Thailand identified this area as a potential genetic resource area.

Efforts are now underway to develop ex-situ conservation areas of important species. Research on seed storage, germplasm collection and tree improvement activities have been initiated

Operational and Organizational Issues

Brunei is currently working with the FRIM, ASEAN Tree Seed Centre, Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, U.K. to strengthen it conservation efforts.

Cambodia

General

Forestry in Cambodia continues to remain as one of the most important revenue earner for the country. Cambodia has a predominantly rural economy, with about 85% of the people working as farmers. Besides farming, those close to forested areas cut trees, collect fuel wood and non-wood products such as rattan, bamboo, lianas, resins, honey, medicinal plants and bush meat. About 95% of the rural population and 85% of the residents in Phnom Penh depend on fuel wood and charcoal as their source of energy for cooking. It has been estimated that annually about 6 million m³ of wood are being used for this purpose. Unregulated and uncontrolled exploitation of forest concessions led to widespread misuse and illegal activities. Forest degradation has become so rampant that the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has taken drastic measures to bring the concession system under the rule of law. Since 1999 to 2001, the RGC has cancelled a number of concessions and a total of 2 million hectares proposed for logging have now been converted into forest reserves. The protected national areas in Cambodia now cover about 3.3 million hectares or 18% of Cambodia’s total area. These constitute 7 national parks, 10 wildlife sanctuaries, 3 protected landscapes and 3 multiple use areas.

Policy and Institution Issues

In 1999 the Forestry Law in Cambodia was approved by Parliament. In February of 2000, the Royal Government of Cambodia adopted a sub-decree on Forest Concession Management. This sub-decree lays the foundation for improved forestry practices, management and planning. In line with this sub-decree, a code of practice for forest harvesting was adopted. The purpose of this code of practice is prescribing harvesting practices that protect the environment and promote forest development consistent with the principles of sustainable development. It also protects sites of cultural significance, maintain forest regenerative capacity, biodiversity conservation in classified forest, improve the economic and social contribution of forestry and ensure the health and safety of forest workers.

The Kingdom of Cambodia is a signatory to a number of international conventions. These include:

• RAMSAR - Wetland land protection

• CITES - monitoring and protection of endangered plant and animal species

• Convention on combating Desertification

• Convention on Biological Diversity

Technical and Biological Issues

• The Indochina Tree Seed Project is carrying out activities in production of improved planting materials for the forest plantation and rehabilitation programme and is also involved in institutional capacity building

• The CSIRO-ATSC through AusAID is involved in provenance trails of Acacia and Eucalyptus species.

• The GTZ is involved in the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the Lower Mekong Basin

• JICA is establishing a Reforestation and Training centre and an experimental forest to provide training in stand inventory, tree measurements, nursery management and plantations establishment technology.

• From 1985-2000 about 10,000 hectares of plantations of Acacia auriculiformis, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Tectona grandis and Pinus merkusii have been established.

Operational and Organizational Issues

The following organizations are involved in the Forestry sector of Cambodia:

NGO Groups including CARE, CONCERN, IUCN, WWF, APAFRI, FORSPA and other assist the Cambodian forestry sector in community participation in planning, management and monitoring in the rural development, protected areas and forestry sector

International Donors including World Bank, UNDP, UNCHR, FAO, ITTO, ADB, GTZ, EU, CARERE, JICA, AusAID, USAID, CIDA, DANIDA, DFID-UK and other bilateral donors support initiatives in forestry and protected areas.

Indonesia

General

Indonesia is recognized as one of the major world center for biodiversity and represents 10% of the world’s dwindling tropical rainforest. Much of Indonesia (62.5%), of the total land is covered with tropical rain forest which is set aside into: protection forest (33.5 million hectares), nature conservation forest (20.5 million hectares), limited production forest (35.2 million hectares), fixed production forest (23.0 million hectares) and conversion forest (8.0 million hectares).

Plantation forest are mainly located in Java covering a total area of 2 million hectares consisting of teak (Tectona grandis), pine (Pinus merkusii), mahogany (Swietenia sp.), rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia), agathis (Agathis lorantofolia), cajuput (Melaleuca cajuputi) and other minor species. Since 1980 plantations have been developed in the other islands mainly short rotation trees for pulp and paper. As of 2000, approximately 2.5 million hectares of plantation forest have been established in the outer islands mainly in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

Policy and Institutional Issues

The government of Indonesia has made a commitment to protect 10% of land area as conservation areas. With regards to policy on forest genetic resources, the Basic Forestry Law of 1967 and 1999 provide a broad basis for both production and conservation objectives. The policy and necessary actions are clearly addressed in the Indonesia’s Tropical Forestry Action Plan. In addition the act on Conservation of Living Resources and their ecosystems (1990), the ministry of Forestry Decree on Germplasm Conservation in production Forest (1990), the Ministry of Forestry Decree on Criteria and Indicator for sustained production forest (1993) all provide further support for conservation implementation.

The Government of Indonesia has also ratified a number of international conventions related to the management of forest resources, namely RAMSAR Convention (1971), Biodiversity Convention (1992), ITTO Guideline for Sustainable Forest Management (1993)

Technical and Biological Issues

• For good quality seeds for the planting programme, the Indonesian Forestry Seed Project has been initiated between DANIDA and the Forestry Republic of Indonesia.

• Work with CSIRO-ATSC has been forged to obtain good quality seeds of Acacia and Eucalyptus species for the provenance trials and tree improvement programmes

• Experimental trials for a number of species both indigenous and exotic have been established as genetic resource stands.

• In-situ conservation of Shorea leprosula, Pinus merkusii, Manilkara kauki, Loppethalum multinervium and a number of other dipterocarp species have been initiated.

• A good tree improvement programme for teak and pinus are already in place.

Operational and Organizational Issues

Indonesia has long cooperation with various regional and international agencies or institutions dealing with forest or forest genetic resources such as FAO, UNESCO, UNEP, IUCN, WWF, ITTO, CIFOR, ASEAN, SEAMEO, JICA, USAID, AusAID, GTZ, Rockefeller Foundation and Ford Foundation.

Lao PDR

General

Lao PDR is one of the poorest countries in South East Asia with the total land area of 236,800 km2. About 80% of the people live in rural areas and 90% of the population is involved in agriculture. The country is heavily dependent on its natural resources to provide a livelihood for its citizens. Wood product accounts for 45% of the total export revenue and the other 55% of the GDP come from agriculture. 47% or 11,273,00 hectares of the total land area are under forest. The three main categories of the forest type are evergreen, mixed deciduous and deciduous.

Policy and Institutional Issues

As a result of initiatives, the protected area system or National Bio-diversity Conservation areas for Lao PDR was legally established in 1993. In addition, as of 1999 some 276 areas have also been designated as conservation or protected forest at provincial or district level. This is shown in table 2

Table 2: Forest Genetic Resource Conservation areas (Dept. of Forestry, 2000)

Technical and Biological Issues

• Tree improvement is literally absent in Lao PDR

• With the setting up of the Lao Tree Seed Centre by Danida Forest Seed Centre, the following activities have been initiated:

  • Ecological zones and seed zoning system
  • Species site index matching
  • Decentralized approach to seed collection and supply
  • Provenance trails of important species and demonstration plots
    • In-situ and ex-situ conservation of Aquilaria crassna, Tectona grandis and Pinus merkusii which are valuable and endangered.

  • CSIRO-ATSC is currently working in Laos PDR on Acacia sp., Eucalyptus sp. and Chukrasia sp.

Operational and Organizational Issues

Lao PDR currently collaborates with:

DANIDA Forest Tree Seed Centre, CSIRO-ATSC and APAFRI-TreeLink on information exchange

Malaysia

General

Malaysia is predominantly forested covering about 19.01 million hectares of natural forest, or about 58% of the total land area. Much of this forested area is in East Malaysia. The State of Sarawak has the largest area under natural cover (about 70% of land area) whereas Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah have about 47% and 68% forested area respectively.

Policy and Institutional Issues

Malaysia legislated details of forest conservation and acts were established during the British Colonial era were forest reservations was created in order to protect them from indiscriminate felling. Since then, the legal position has been further strengthened regarding protection of species.

Recognizing the importance of forestry towards the socio-economic developments of the country and in order to facilitate the adoption of a coordinated and common approach to forestry, the National Forestry Council (NFC) was established in 1971. The NFC serves as a forum for the Federal and State Governments to discuss and resolve common problems and issues relating to forestry policy, administration and management. The NFC assisted in the formulation of the National Forestry Policy, which was endorsed in 1978. This policy was further revised and amended in 1993 to incorporate new provisions. Under the National Forestry Policy, two new acts were formulated and passed in Parliament in 1984. These were the National Forestry act 1984 (Amended in 1993) and the Wood-Based Industry Act 1984. These acts along with other acts like the Wildlife Act, 1972; Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Amended in 1994); National Parks Act, 1980 and the National Policy on Biological Diversity, 1998 have put in place sufficient measure to ensure the conservation and sustained use of the biological diversity of the Nation.

Malaysia has ratified a number of the international conventions namely RAMSAR, CITES, CBD etc to show its commitment to environmental protection.

Technical and Biological Issues

Malaysia continues to play an active role in the management of its genetic resources and the sustainable management of its forests.

Various In-situ activities are in place like the Virgin Jungle Reserves (VJR), Genetic Resource Area (GRA) and Seed Production Areas (SPA) for important species.

Ex-situ measures include field genebanks, botanical gardens, arboreta, field trials of indigenous and exotic species, seed stand, seed banks and in-vitro gene banks.

Research in macropropagation and micropropagation of important species are in place

Research in recombinant DNA has now been established for advance research.

Operational and Organizational Issues

Malaysia works with a number of International agencies like JICA, UNDP/GEF, IPGRI, CSIRO-ATSC etc to continue the work in germplasm conservation of important forest species

Myanmar

General

The estimated population of Myanmar is approximately 49 million and 76% of this population rely heavily upon the forest products especially fuelwood, post and poles. Forest cover is approximately 51% of the total land area of the country. Of this figure 43% are under closed forest while the rest are woodland.

Policy and Institutional Issues

In view of the importance of Myanmar Forestry Sector in enhancing national socio-economic development and ensuring ecological balance and environmental stability, the Myanmar Forest Policy has been formulated. The policy has been developed in a holistic and balanced manner within the overall context of the environment and sustainable development, taking full cognisance of the forestry principles adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, 1992. The policy has identified six imperatives that the government of Myanmar must give highest priority in order to achieve broader national goals and objectives. These are:

• Protection of soil, water, wildlife, biodiversity and environment

• Sustainability of forest resources to ensure perpetual supply of both tangible and intangible benefits accrued from forest for the present and future generation

• Basic needs of the people for fuel, shelter, food and recreation

• Efficiency to harness, in a socio-environmentally friendly manner, the full economic potential of the forest resources

• Participation of the people in the conservation and utilization of forests

• Public awareness about the vital role of the forests in the well being and socio-economic development of the nation

Myanmar has about 7000 plant species of that about 1071 are endemic. The country increasingly recognizes the role of forests for environmental stability and for soil and water conservation. Myanmar is committed to sustainable development of forest and conservation of its biological resources through its involvement in a number of international conventions and agreements. The linkages and International Obligations include:

• Accession to the UN Convention to combat desertification -January 1994

• Ratification of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change - November, 1994

• Ratification of UN Convention on Biological Diversity - November, 1994

• Ratification of ITTO Agreement - January, 1996

• Accession to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) - June, 1997

Myanmar is also a member country of ICIMOD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development) since 1992. Information exchange, dissemination and demonstration of conservation technologies are a major area of collaboration between Forest Department of Myanmar and ICIMOD.

Technical and Biological Issues

Regarding biodiversity and environmental conservation, the Protected Area System is being expanded from 2% at present to 5% as mandated in the Policy. By 2001, forest reserves will be expanded to cover 30% of the total land area.

The major important species grown in Myanmar include Tectona grandis, Xylia kerii, Pterocarpus macrocarpus, pine and eucalyptus. Domestic market studies show that 60% of the furniture manufactured use teak while some Xylia is also used. The total area under forest plantations of the important species as at the end of 2000 is as shown in Table 1

As Teak is the main commercial species, well managed SPA (Seed Production Areas), Seed Orchards and Clonal orchards have been established for the species. Provenance trials have also been established. Some research activities on tissue culture of teak have also been initiated to produce elite planting materials.

Presently Myanmar is actively working with CSIRO in the establishment of seedling seed orchard of Acacia mangium and also in the establishment of seed production area for Acacia crassicarpa and Acacia aulacocarpa.

Operational and Organizational Issues

The Institute of Forestry (IOF) is now upgraded into a University. The Ministry of Forestry administers it. It is the only University in Myanmar that produces forestry professional. Annual output is around 50 graduates. Postgraduate degrees are offered in Community forestry, National Parks and Wildlife Management, Watershed Management and Environmental Forestry up to the Masters level only.

Myanmar collaborate with a number of regional and international agencies namely:

FORSPA (Forestry Research Support Programme for the Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand),

APAFRI (Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutes, FRIM, Malaysia),

TEAKNET (Asia Pacific Region, Yangon, Myanmar),

FRIM (Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Malaysia),

INBAR (International network for Bamboo and Rattan, Bejing, China),

International Neem Network (FAO & Danida, Rome, Italy),

CSIRO,

ATSC (Australian Tree Seed Centre, Canberra, Australia),

Smithsonian Institute (Washington D.C., USA),

CAMCORE (Central America and Mexico Coniferous Resources Cooperative),

ITTO (International Tropical Timber Organization, Japan)

JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency)

Philippines

General

The forestry sector is the centrepiece of Philippines natural resource base and ecosystems. It contributes both to the gross domestic product as well as to employment opportunities. The 1998 forest inventory estimates that only about 6.68 million hectares of a total of 30 million hectares is still under natural forest cover. There are plans to reforest about 5.32 million hectares

Policy and Institutional Issues

The Philippines has promulgated several national policies and legislation that are concerned with conservation, protection and proper utilization of its natural resources. Several government laws that directly or indirectly related with the protection and conservation of tree genetic resources have been passed. Some notable ones are:

State of ownership of all natural resources and inalienability, except for agricultural lands (Sec.2, Art. XII)

Full control and supervision by the State on exploration, development and utilization of natural resources either by directly undertaking such activities or by entering into co-production, joint venture or production-sharing agreements with Filipino citizens or Filipino owned or controlled corporations or associations (Sec.2. Art. XII)

Presidential decree - PD No.705, as amended, and E.O. No.192 dated 10^th June 1987. In consonance with sustainable development thrust of the government, a Log Control and Monitoring System is adopted to oversee sustainability of the timber resources as a tool towards economic productivity and protection of the environment through maintenance of the adequate balance between resource growth and timber drain.

Philippines is also a party to international conventions namely CITES and CBD

Technical and Biological Issues

Philippines undertakes an active programme on conservation and management of the Forest Genetic Resources:

• In situ conservation of a number of legume timber trees namely Sindora supa, Albizzia akle, Afzelia rhomboidea and Instia bijuga and Pterocarpus indicus has been actively pursued since 1930.
• Plus tree selection of 23 important species has been actively pursued. A total of 38 seed production areas have been identified and documented for these species.
• A Seed orchard of Eucalyptus deglupta was established in 1991 consisting of 500 grafted trees.
• As an ex-situ measure, provenance and species trials for Pinus, Acacia, Eucalyptus, Casuarina and Gmelina have been established
• Macropropagation techniques for hybrids of Acacia and Eucalyptus and also for a number of endangered Philippine species such as Diospyros philippinensis, Tectona philippinensis and Agathis dammara have been successfully carried out.
• Tissue culture protocol has been also developed for Pterocarpus indicus, Acacia mangium, Paraserianthes falcataria, Endospermum peltatum, Eucalyptus sp., Pinus caribaea and Cratoxylon sumatranum.
• Programmes in plant biotechnology have been given national priority since the year 2000.

Operational and Organizational Issues

Philippines works with a number of International centres like FAO, UNDP, CIFOR, ADB, GEF, and CSIRO-ATSC in its efforts to sustain its research into biodiversity conservation. The Ecosystem Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), which is a well organized National centre, coordinates all collaboration in plant conservation in Philippines.

Thailand

General

In 1989 Thailand imposed a total ban on logging in natural forest and a master plan for reforestation was initiated. The plan aims to bring back at least 40% of the land area under forest cover by 2010. The 40% should consist of 25% protected forest for nature conservation, recreation and environmental protection and the other 15% for production of timber and other forest products. During the last 30 years Thailand has built up the knowledge in tree improvement of a number of priority species. Important genetic resources have likewise been conserved and developed for several species.

Policy and Institutional issues

At present there are four forest acts and an environmental act relating to forest conservation. In addition Thailand is a party to a number of International Conventions, namely:

Agenda 21, Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on Climate Change

Technical and Biological Issues

• On tree improvement activities active work continues to be carried out at TIC (Teak improvement centre) and PIC (Pine improvement Centre) both in Chengmai and the tree Improvement Section (TIS) in Bangkok

• The gene conservation activities are carried out by HGCC (Hardwood gene Conservation Centre) in Bangkok.

• Research on Seed improvement and quality planting stock production is carried out at the ASEAN Tree Seed Centre at Muak Lek near Bangkok.

• Two state enterprise namely Forest Industry Organization (FIO) and Thai Plywood Company (TPC) are actively involved in the reforestation programme. The FIO has reforested about 160,000 hectare with Teak, Hevea and Eucalyptus while TPC has planted approximately 8,000 hectares with Acacia sp., Eucalyptus sp. and Melia sp.

Operational and Organizational Issues

Thailand collaborates with a number of international agencies like FAO, UNESCO, ASEAN, and JICA, Rockefeller Foundation and also with CSIRO-ATSC where provenance testing of Acacia sp. and Chukrasia sp., are ongoing.

Vietnam

General

As of 1999, the total area of forested land was 10,915,600 hectares of which natural forest was 9,444,200 hectares while plantation forest was 1,471,400 hectares. Together they constitute 33.2% of the total land area. Of the total area under natural forest, more than half of these are low in quality caused by poor logging process and poor regeneration capabilities.

Policy and Institutional Issues

Realizing the importance of forest, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has stopped logging activities in the remaining well-stocked natural forest in Vietnam

Major initiatives on afforestation to increase forest cover by planting up 5 million hectares are now been undertaken with support form international donors and institutions.

Technical and Biological Issues

• Research activities relating to in-situ and ex-situ conservation of important species are being pursued.

• Species - site index are now being actively carried out.

• An enhanced quality plant production through good quality seeds, macro-propagation and through tissue culture is now in place in Vietnam.

• Seed orchards for important species and seed production areas in the natural forest have been identified and established.

Operational and Organizational Issues

New activities on tree improvement and production of quality planting stock are being stepped up in the country.

The Lao tree Seed Project funded by DANIDA is stepping up efforts to produce quality seeds for the planting programmes.

Various provenance trials of Acacia, Chukarasia and Eucalyptus species have been initiated by CSIRO-ATSC.

A number of International Donors like GTZ, UNDP, FAO, and Ford Foundation. USAID etc. is actively involved in the forest rehabilitation programmes in Vietnam.

Important Meetings Held in the Region 2000-2001

1. International Conference on Prudent Biodiversity Management and Sustainable Development. 1-3^rd November 2000. Organized by the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, Kuching, Sarawak (Proceedings available)

2. S.E. Asia Moving Workshop in Thailand on Conservation, Management and Utilization of Forest Genetic Resources. 25^th Feb - 10^th March 2001 (Proceedings in Preparation)

3. International Conference on In situ and Ex situ of Commercial Tropical Trees. 11-13^th June 2001. Gajah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia (Resolutions Available)

4. 13^th National Forestry Conference. 20-25^th August 2001. Organized by the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. (Proceedings in Preparation)