Indonesia's wood resource: Trends and policies

Abstract

Until the 1960s, the rainforests of Indonesia remained principally un-exploited, but from 1965 onwards the use of Indonesia's forests for economic benefit began with the start of extensive logging. To assist the process, the government of President Soeharto sought a massive infusion of foreign investment to fund this economic transformation, taken over by Indonesian entrepreneurs in the 1980s. The primary market was the Japanese. This demand has been the key factor for the subsequent export boom.

Tropical deforestation continues apace to the detriment of future generations. “Sustainability”, with reference to tropical rainforests, is non-existent by any definition. Government policies continue to undervalue the tropical rainforest economically and ecologically.