Figure 2 provides an overview of the types of forest present in Papua New Guinea. The definition of net productive or operable forest area is preliminary and will be better defined with the aid of an up dated inventory which is anticipated in the near future. The current estimate of total potential sustainable production is approximately 3.13 million cubic meters per annum. In addition, based on an estimate that 4.4 million hectares of forest land will be converted to agriculture over the next 50 years (an average of 88,000 ha per annum) and that the yield for clear felling is around 30 cubic meters per hectare, then annual production could be boosted by an average of about 2.6 million cubic meters per annum from forest conversion over those 50 years. This would result in a total forecast annual log harvest (from sustainable production and conversion) of approximately 5.73 million cubic meters per annum.
However, in terms of the forest resources already utilized, the picture is quite different This is illustrated in Figure 3:
Based on the data shown in Figure 3, Table 2 shows that, although the actual level of log harvest has remained approximately within the estimated level of sustainable cut since 1993, it has been considerably above the sustainable harvest level taking into account the area currently utilized for forest harvesting. A few areas are considerably over the sustainable harvest level, in particular West New Britain Province, which presently accounts for over half of all log exports within the country and which is expected to be virtually logged out within the next 5 years.
Compared to the natural forest resource, Papua New Guinea's plantation resources are of only minor importance (see breakdown of plantation resources in Table 3 below). However, if land tenure, resource ownership and other problems can be settled, there is a huge potential for plantations to provide rural employment and to provide the basis for the development of a viable processing sector.
Currently, most of the State owned plantations are either in a state of neglect or are abandoned, although measures are being taken to provide at least basic maintenance to many of these. The one exception is the Wau-Bulolo Plantation which provides logs at a low cost to an antiquated and highly protected plywood mill. Replanting of this forest is below the sustainable level, at about 150 hectares per annum.
Figure 2 - Estimate of potential sustained yield for Papua New Guinea's total forest resources
There are three main private plantations, all operated by Japanese companies. A chipmill is already operating from harvesting of the forest resources at Gogol Plantation, with 33,559 BDU's of woodchip being exported from this mill in 1997. The Open Bay and Stettin Bay projects are due to come on stream within the next 4 - 5 years. It was planned that the timber resources from these plantations would be used for wood chips also. However, these plans appear to have been scrapped and the respective companies are currently re-evaluating their plans.
Figure 3 - Estimate of potential sustained yield for currently acquired forest resources
Table 2 - Situation of Papua New Guinea Rate of Forest Harvest
Year |
National sustainable volume (excluding Agric. Conversion) (million m3) |
Sustainable harvest volume (from acquired resources) (million m3) |
Actual annual harvest (million m3) |
Permitted annual harvest (million m3) |
1993 |
3.13 |
2.2 |
3.25 |
8.45 |
1994 |
3.13 |
2.2 |
3.5 |
7.74 |
1995 |
3.13 |
2.2 |
3.0 |
7.31 |
1996 |
3.13 |
2.8 |
2.7 |
7.01 |
1997 |
3.13 |
2.8 |
3.4 |
7.01 |
1998 |
3.13 |
2.8 |
2.0 (est) |
7.29 |
Table 3 - Main forest plantations in Papua New Guinea
Province |
Location |
Main species |
Total area (as at Dec. 1997) (ha) |
State forests | |||
Central |
Kuriva |
Teak |
600 |
Madang |
Madang north coast |
E. deglupta, A. mangium, T. brassii |
900 |
Morobe |
Wau-Bulolo |
A. cunninghamii, A. hunsteinii, P. caribaea |
12000 |
Milne Bay |
Sagarai |
A. mangium, E. deglupta; T. brassii |
1500 |
New Ireland |
Kaut |
E. Deglupta; Calophyllum sp., Pterocarpus indicus |
250 |
Eastern Highlands |
Fayantina |
P. patula |
900 |
Eastern Highlands |
Lapegu |
P. patula |
3200 |
Eastern Highlands |
Kainantu |
Pinus patula |
1000 |
Western Highlands |
Waghi |
E. Grandis, E. robusta, E. Saligna; P. patula |
2100 |
Southern Highlands |
Orere, Kui, Baino |
P.patula, E. robusta |
400 |
Total State |
22850 | ||
Private Forests | |||
Madang |
Gogol |
E. Deglupta, A. Mangium, T. brassii |
10745 |
East New Britain |
Open Bay |
E. Deglupta, T. Brassii, A. mangium |
12004 |
East New Britain (customary - ex State) |
Kerevat |
Tectona grandis, Eucalyptus deglupta, Ochroma lagopus |
1900 |
West New Britain |
Stettin Bay |
E. Deglupta, T. Brassii, A. Mangium, O. sumatrana |
10258 |
West New Britain |
Ulamona |
E. deglupta |
0 |
Central (customary - ex State) |
Brown River |
Tectona grandis |
1200 |
Total Private |
35107 | ||
Grand Total |
57957 | ||
