19 March 2006
Where are all the big trees?
Tree tops
© Greenpeace/Prout
We are back in the area that we demarcated yesterday – a designated eco-forestry area. Today the foresters plot a straight baseline of 500 metres right across it. We walk along the baseline, planning to make an inventory of all the big trees within 10 metres on each side. But ... there are no big trees.
"This is a very young forest," says Sam, one of the foresters. There are many tall, thin trees. A few reach a diameter of about 30 to 40cm but only one comes above the required 60cm. Only those trees can be harvested. "There was a big fire here in 1997," the Kuni men explain. Ah, that explains why...
Back at the canoe the foresters bring the sorry news to the Kuskus clan members: "This area is not really good for eco-forestry. We recommend you choose another area to start working on now, and keep this area for conservation for a few more years. That way the trees get a chance to grow."
Steven, a clan leader, looks a bit sad. It seemed like such a good area. From the river he could see many big trees. But, unfortunately, as the foresters explain, to avoid erosion and to preserve the river, these trees should not be cut. "All right," says Steven with hope in his voice. "Tomorrow we go check out a place a little bit more that way."
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