Rebuilding Java’s Teak Forests After Years of Devastation

While the Perum Perhutani plantation located in Indonesia is now under strict management by the state, it was once not so highly protected. As soon as the teak furniture boom began in mid 1990s, the Island of Java found itself in an economic boom. But the same forests that offered some of the world’s finest teak and mahogany lumber became bare and empty.

The August 22nd episode of Living on Earth featured the vanishing rainforests on Java and how the Indonesian Forest Department is helping to rebuild the island’s forests. According to the program’s transcript; theft, forest fires, over harvesting, and illegal logging are partially to blame for the depleted forests of Java. Government corruption is also another reason for the lack of prevention.

The program’s transcript continued with information regarding how the Indonesian Forest Department amended forest preservation laws to reverse the damage and the ethos of surrounding villages and their villagers. From these amendments, Perhutani implemented a community-based forest preservation system. Villagers are encouraged to help keep forests intact, and in turn, they may be entitled to up to 25% of the forest’s production.

Further into the program, local villagers explain that they have not seen much come of these preservation systems come to light. The situation has become a double edged sword. By preserving the forests, there can be a solid future for the rainforests. However, without using this resource for local Java residents to earn a comfortable wage, there will continue to be pillagers extracting lumber illegally.

Protection of Java’s rainforests and resources is in much better shape now that it has in the past decade. While it may take time for the forests and wildlife to repopulate, there is a better understanding between the Indonesian state and local residents on the importance of creating a sustainable plan for Java’s forests.

You can be assured that all the teak furniture on Dragonfly Teak has come from legal harvesting methods from the Perum Perhutani plantation.

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