WALHI Sues Riau Local Government and.........

WALHI Sues Riau Local Government and 32 Companies Over Forest Fire

Riau and Jakarta -- On June 20, WALHI Riau filed a public interest lawsuit against the Riau Governor, 9 municipal governments of Riau, 2 city administrations, and 32 companies over the forest fires still burning in the province. Earlier this month, 2,406 fires were identified all over the province generating thick haze and causing respiratory problems and a loss of 10,000 hectares of forest.

WALHI Riau argues that the forest fires have now become an annual disaster in Riau, mostly due to the government negligence in tackling the problem as well as a severe lack of law enforcement against those found guilty of setting the fires. The lack of seriousness can be identified from a series of bad forestry policies such as releasing the Timber Utilization Permit (IPK) and supporting the opening of Production Forests (HPH) and Large Scale Palm Plantations (HTI) which all led to increased land clearing. Also, not curbing the timber industry's demand (14.7 million cubic meter/year) has sparked massive illegal logging practices resulting in more dry, logged areas which means more fuel for the fires.

In a national press conference held June 27 at WALHI's office in Jakarta, WALHI Riau demanded the governments:

• stop converting forest lands for plantation and other industrial purposes;
• ban slash and burn method for land clearing;
• revoke the license of companies proven to practice the slash-and-burn method in their operations;
• strengthen law enforcement against perpetrators of environmental crimes.

Against the companies practicing the slash-and-burn method, WALHI demanded that they stop all land clearing activities and mobilize their employees to assist in fire-fighting efforts as well as fund fire-fighting efforts on their concessions and the surrounding forests.

But, most urgently, WALHi Riau demanded the government immediately:

1. revoke existing forest conversion permits;
2. set up emergency health posts in every subdistrict to facilitate free medication for those suffering respiratory problems;
3. carry out fire-fighting efforts with funds levied from the companies whose lands are on fire;
4. use local government funds to sponsor fire-fighting efforts in protected forest areas and lands designated APL (Forest Lands for Other Purposes).

The forest fires that began in early June 2003 burned hottest from 1 to 10 June 2003 and occurred in nine municipalities. In fact, satellite imagery of the region on June 9 showed a record number of 1,400 fires. Some companies targetted in the law suit, among others, are:

1) PT. Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP)
2) PT. Indah Kiat Pulp and Paper (IKPP)
3) PT. Guntung Hasrat Makmur
4) PT. Multi Gambut
5) PT. Siak Raya
6) PT. Rokan Rimba Lestari (HTI)
7) PT. Langgan Inti Hibrindo
8) PT. Adei
9) PT. Rimba Rohul
10) PT. Mapala Rabda
11) PT. Siak Raya Timber
12) PT. Sumatera Sinar Plywood
13) PT. Intiprona
14) PT. Hamidah Hamidi
15) PT. Kencana Amal Tani
16) PT. Surya Dumai Agrindo [st]

For more information, please contact:

M. Teguh Surya
Deputy Director (WALHI Riau)
Email M. Teguh Surya
Telepon kantor: +62-0761-22545
Mobile:
Fax: +62-0761-22545