The Last Stand of the Orangutan

COUNTERING ILLEGAL LOGGING – MEASURES AND THEIR EFFECT

The “Forest Law Enforcement and Governance (FLEG)” process is a particularly important response to the current wave of forest crime in Indonesia. FLEG is a continuous harnessing of national efforts and improvement of international collaboration to address violations of forest laws and illegal activities. The aim of FLEG is to eradicate illegal logging and associated illegal trade and corrup- tion, and in the long term to promote sustainable management and protection of the world’s remaining forests. FLEG is a global effort, and in East Asia it started with a series of consultations leading up to a political commitment known as the Bali Decla- ration in 2001. Although not legally binding, the declaration is considered a significant step by governments in acknowledging the need to combat corruption in the forestry sector. It recognizes the responsibilities of both producing and consuming countries to eliminate illegal logging and illicit trade and corruption, and provides a base for bilateral and international cooperation in har- monizing forest law enforcement and protection programmes.

To implement FLEG, a number of potential responses are pos- sible. While all are rational and well intended, only a few can be expected to have any significant short term impact on the current state of rapid deforestation and degradation of critical orangutan habitat. The empowerment and sustainable development of local communities is critical to enable their custodianship of natural habitats over the longer term, but immediate targeted actions are required to deal with the existing crisis. Effective responses must: target root causes and key actors be rapid in effect be effective in the face of existing power structures (risk of co- ercion and reprisals, corruption, dysfunctional institutions) address impacts over large areas to avoid simply displacing the problem. • • • •

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