Banda Aceh (Phinisinews) - Quite often Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf witnes timber being poached from forest areas, although he continuously campaign for forest protection in the province. In fact, the policy to save the forest were born early in his term as a governor; often referred as "moratorium logging" or temporary suspension of logging in the entire province.

The policy was set forth in Governor Instruction No. 05/INSTR/2007 regarding the application of Moratorium Logging in the whole of Aceh Province.

Ironically, the in the midst of moratorium logging campaign, logging takes place not only within the deep interior of Aceh forest, but also around areas frequently visited by many, such as Saree - the border between Aceh Besar District and Pidie-

As recent as a decade ago, thick and lush pine forest thrive along the side of Banda Aceh - Medan road, but now those pine trees now replaced by agricultural crop such as corn and bananas often owned by the community.

Saree region is famous for its Pocut Meurah Intan Community Forest Park. The area covers about 6622 ha containing two legendary mountain; Seulawah Agam and Seulawah Dara.

These days, the roar of chainsaw often heard around the area, harvesting the protected trees although nearby signboard clearly stated "Logging is BANNED in this area" complete with legal sanctions.

Governor Irwandi Yusuf himself has also caught some individuals undertaking illegal logging activities along the major road. One of these event happened in Beutong region, on the road to Takengon from Nagan Raya. At that time the governor immediately asked the resident who owns these illegally obtained logs arranged in a neat pile in the protected forest areas. Abu Bakar, a local resident admit that the small pile was his, and he gonna use it to build his own house, while the owner of the large pile is unknown because he has never meet the person.

The Moratorium Logging policy was put in place as part of the effort to save the healthy, biodiversity rich forest that still exist in Aceh. Redesign, Reforestation and deforestation Reduction concept were planned as the future for Aceh forest protection. This concept were initiated by the government to realize the dream of "Healthy Forest; Prosperous Population"

Irwandi also made a clear statement to protect the forest along the major route between Takengon and Nagan Raya and called in immediate action against encroachment. He understand that if encroachment continues, disaster is just a matter of time.

He made this statement when he witness himself the barren forest along the roads from Nagan Raya district to the Hinterland of Central Aceh. He also asked the regent of these region to not turn blind eyes in the case of deforestation in protected areas.

"I hope there will be better, more active control in the forest area, especially in protected areas such as the Leuser Ecosystem" He saif.

According to him, authorities often turn blind eye agaisnt land clearing and logging activities of the forest, leading the community to think its ok to deforest.

It has not been revoked

Irwandi Yusuf reiterated that the policy of "temporary suspension of logging" has not been revoked, as an effort to prevent the destruction of forests in the province.

"Logging moratorium or temporary suspension of logging is one of our efforts to prevent forest destruction, especially in Aceh. The policies were put in place since 2007 are still valid until now," he said.

Yet the governor's action also admits there is still logging in the province has a population of about 4.6 million people.

"But it must be accounted that the moratorium on logging policy was already quite advanced in an effort to prevent further encroachment of forests in Aceh, compared to other provinces in Indonesia," he explained.

He also aware that the problem of timber theft is an inexhaustible if its doesnt get supported by the entire community.

"Clearly, large scale logging effort that have taken places as it did decades ago, we no longer find in Aceh today" said Irwandi Yusuf.

On the other hand, he also explained that Aceh Government has put the effort to empowerment the people living on ​​the edge of the forest through the provision of seed crops.

"However, sometimes this aid does not discourage people to harvest timber from the forest, because they assume that agricultural harvest is miniscule compares to timber, without the long hard work of planting and tending the crop." He said.

Friends of the earth Indonesia (WALHI) said throughout 1980 - 2008 Aceh forest has been reduced to 914,422 hectares from the total area of ​​5,675,850 hectares.

That means, an area of ​​32,657 hectares of forest cleared every year. In 2008, only 61.42 percent of Aceh forest left. It is obvious that if land use change continues to occur in Aceh, Aceh's forest cover will continue to shrink.

Land-use change are considered as one of the main cause of land degradation in Aceh. This, accompanied by illegal logging, forest fires, and the continuous expansion of unsustainable plantations. At this stage, total area of ​​critical land in Aceh have reached 1, 6 million hectares.

Meanwhile, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) TAF Activist in Aceh Haikal, perceive the policy on logging moratorium almost adequate to prevent the encroachment of forests, although it is yet to met the expectations of society.

"The policy has succeeded in pressing the speed of deforestation in Aceh, but on the other hand it should be followed by sustainable initiatives to ensure the availability of timber for community needs, such as timber plantation outside protected forest" he said.

However, TAF Haikal regard the moratorium logging policy as contradictory to Irwandi Yusuf program to encourage growth from mining sector, which clearly environmentally damaging.

"Moratorium on logging is a policy to ensure forest protection, but if aceh forest also allocated for mining.. its very contradictory." He added.

What would moratorium logging means is Aceh Government open wide doors for mining investors, its would slowly destroy the forest from underneath. Said TAF Haikal.

He also agreed that community should unite and reject the exploitative plan of mining companies in some areas, especially around the south west coast of Aceh, because the area have such good long-term economic potential from agriculture and fisheries sector, which will be destroyed if mineral exploitation takes place.

WALHI Aceh also express their full support for such community efforts in Southwest Aceh district in denying mining companies exploiting their forest and natural surroundings.

"Communities have made a statement rejecting the presence of mining companies in their areas. It is appropriate and we fully support their resistance." Said WALHI Aceh Executive Director TM Zulfikar.

Community group from South West Aceh have urged the Governor to not issue any permits related to mining activities given the disastrous impact of its current operation.

According to Zulfikar, the rejection has encourage the growth of collective consciousness within communities in preventing environmental destruction, to avoid the potential disaster.

"We had a dialogue with community leaders in villages in South West Aceh district. Community have agreed to refuse the exploitation and destruction of the area in the name of delusional economic growth" He stated.

"People are worried about the destruction of forests as water reservoir. You can imagine if the water sources itself get damaged and polluted. It will be too late if the resident realize the impact of mining operation towards their water source once the damage is done."

"Temporary termination of logging would only be meaningful if the government can the guarantee sufficient availability of timber for community needs, while keeping the forest intact without devastating the standing forest from below with mining."