RH ventures into devt, forest care
By ANTON HUAFOLO
THE Rimbunan Hijau PNG Group is now pouring money into reforestation and silviculture investments in PNG, a bid to move beyond the harvesting of natural forests.
Silviculture is a branch of forestry dealing with the development and care of forests.
RH PNG’s investment in reforestation and silviculture activities will also be in line with the objectives PNG-Australia forest carbon partnership agreement, recently signed by the two countries, group executive director Ivan Lu said during the project launch last Friday.
However, the timber company has not disclosed the amount it is investing.
Mr Lu said it is vital that the forest industry works closely with the Government in meeting the objectives of the forest carbon partnership agreement.
The company started intensive research and planning activities on reforestation in PNG in 2006, as part of its efforts to maximise benefits from the forestry industry.
During the course of the research, sites across the country were identified and tree types and their suitability were tested, which will eventually lead to mass seedling production and planting of the sites.
Silviculture activities will include the involvement of local communities and landowner groups that will be employed to plant tree seedlings which will maintained before they are transplanted to the reforestation areas.
Mr Lu said reforestation and silvicultural activities “will contribute to the long-term prosperity of the forestry sector and Papua New Guinea’s economy”.
He said reforestation levies currently paid by the forestry sector do much to assist the rehabilitation of forest systems.
“Rimbunan Hijau will go beyond simply paying these levies.
“We are eager to carry out practical reforestation activities on the ground in Papua New Guinea,” he said.
Mr Lu added that “sustainability and climate have now become global issues which could significantly affect the livelihood of an industry such as forestry.
“It is not only an environmental issue, but a business and economic issue as well.”
Mr Lu added that the RH Group will be mobilising private capital to ensure the reforestation and silviculture project is fully realised.
However, it was not disclosed how much the company will spend in the project.
The company last year, in collaboration with the International Tropical Timber Organisation, engaged Swiss firm SGS which together with the RH group, is undertaking a pilot programme to establish a timber legality tracking and verification scheme in PNG.
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