PEKANBARU (EoF News)— Several photographic evidences have shown that Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (APRIL) conducted forest conversion, mostly in protected peat swamp forest within  2009-2010, Eyes on the Forest investigations reveal.  

Eyes on the Forest showed photographic collections of deforestation conducted by APRIL and its associated companies in Riau province of Sumatra recently. It is a curtain raiser for upcoming release of EoF Investigative Report on monitoring deforestation.

Below are photos of natural forest clearance and other deforestation operation that conducted by APRIL associated companies. All copyrights to Eyes on the Forest coalition. 

 Photo 13. Stacks of mixed tropical hardwood that felled by PT Sumatera Riang Lesari of Pulau Rupat block, proved that the cleared area contains highly potential of logs that should be preserved as natural forest.  EoF team found that the stacks of MTH have 1 kilometer length and 3 meter height. Photo taken on coordinate point N. 01 56 10,9  E. 101 34 41,9.

  Photo 14. A monkey perches on logs that felled by PT  SRL of Rupat block in Rupat Island proving that forest  conversion by the company threatens habitat of  species living in the peat forest. Photo taken on  coordinate point N. 01 56 10,9  E. 101 34 41,9.

 Photo 15. Natural forest clearance by PT Sumatera  Riang Lestari in Pulau Rupat (Rupat Island) only leave certain size of  Ramin (Gonystylus spp.) trees and chop down smaller-sized ones of the CITES species. As a swamp species ramin is prone to over-exploitation and cannot be cultivated on plantations, therefore these remaining Ramin trees will also felled due to ecosystem of forest destroyed for pulpwood plantation.    The expansion of pulpwood plantation by PT SRL has eliminated Ramin species that should be protected. Photo is taken on coordinate point N. 01 56 4,6  E. 101 34 47

  Photo 16. Canal drained severely by PT Sumatera Riang Lestari in Pulau    Rupat, an outer island bordered to Malaysia, where forest conversion into pulpwood plantation has destroyed the peat ecosystem. PT SRL is affiliated to PT RAPP and APRIL. Photo taken on coordinate point N 01 54 30.92 E.101 32 55.87

     Photo 17. Mixed tropical hardwood in concession of PT SRL of blok Pulau           Rupat  which clearcut natural forest in peat Rupat Island, proved that the    cleared  area contains highly potential of logs that should be preserved as  natural  forest. Photo taken in coordinate point N. 01 56 49.4  E. 101 35 15.1

    Photo 18. Logs loaded to a pontoon on jetty of PT SRL, an affiliated company   to PT RAPP and APRIL, in Rupat Island. The logs transported to APRIL pulp mill in Pangkalan Kerinci via sea water . Photo taken on coordinate point N. 01 56 49.4  E. 101 35 15.1

 Photo 19. A pontoon loaded by logs that felled by PT SRL of blok Pulau Rupat is heading to APRIL’s pulp mill, PT RAPP, in Pangkalan Kerinci. Photo taken on coordinate point N. 01 56 39.42  E. 101 42 51.39

4. Natural forest clearance by PT Lestari Unggul Makmur in Pulau Tebing Tinggi (island)

 Photo 20. A banner says that community of Sungai Tohor’s reject presence  of PT Lestari Unggul Makmur which clearcut natural forest for pulpwood plantation. Desa Sungai Tohor, a village adjacent to PT LUM’s concession in Tebing Tinggi Island. 

 Photo 21. Peat canal drained by PT LUM following natural forest clearance in Pulau Tebing Tinggi. Photo taken on coordinate point N. 00 49 25,5. E. 102 55 57,6.

5. Natural forest clearance by PT Mitra Kembang Selaras in Kerumutan forest block 

Photo 22. Logs that felled by PT Mitra Kembang Selaras stacked in the concession located in Kerumutan peat forest. EoF found that the stacks have 200 m length and 3 meter height. Photo taken on coordinate point S.00 15 14.443  E. 102 20 35.152

Photo 23. Logs that felled by PT Mitra Kembang Selaras in Kerumutan forest block are ready to transport to APRIL pulp mill, PT Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper in Pangkalan Kerinci townn. Photo taken on coordinate point S.00 15 14.443  E. 102 20 35.152

Gallery of APRIL (1)

Gallery of APP (1)

Gallery of APP (2)