PEKANBARU (EoF News)— Several photographic evidences have shown that Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (APRIL) conducted forest conversion, mostly in protected peat swamp forest in  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.

Some photos depicted peat forest in outer isle deforested by APRIL, even forest unit where CITES-listed Ramin tree (Gonystylus spp.) live also clearcut. 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.

1. Natural forest clearance by PT Sumatera Riang Lestari

--Blok Indragiri in Kerumutan peat forest

 Photo 1. Logs of natural forest that clearcut by PT Sumatera Riang Lestari of Blok Indragiri in Kerumutan peat forest block on coordinate point S. 00 24 38.7 E. 102 46 38.6

Photo 2 -- Stacks of mixed tropical hardwood and excavators of PT Sumatera Riang Lestari  of Blok Indragiri in Kerumutan peat forest on coordinate point S.00 27,562 E. 102 45,801

Photo 3. Trucks are loaded with mixed tropical hardwood following the forest clearance by PT Sumatera Riang Lestari  of Blok Indragiri in Kerumutan peat forest on coordinate point S.00 27,562 E. 102 45,801

Photo 4. Rampant deforestation in deep peat of Kerumutan forest can be seen from a flyover as PT Sumatera Riang Lestari of Blok Indragiri, an affiliated company to APRIL in Riau, which converted protected peat forest to pulpwood plantation. 

Photo 5. Natural forest clearance in peat swamp forest of Kerumutan by PT Sumatera Riang Lestari of Blok Indragiri, where canals in deep peat drained and contribute to global warming.

Photo 6. Natural forest clearance in peat swamp forest of Kerumutan by PT Sumatera Riang Lestari of Blok Indragiri in Riau province, where peat forest converted to pulpwood plantation.

2. Natural forest clearance by PT Sumatera Riau Lestari Blok of Pulau Rangsang in Pulau Rangsang (island)

Photo 7. Deep peat canal drained on coordinate point S. 00 55 15.4  E. 103 04 29.4. The canal drainage in line with deforestation in peat swamp forest of Pulau Rangsang, an outer isle in East Sumatra coastline, by APRIL’s  PT Sumatera Riang Lestari.  

Photo 8. Natural forest clearance in peat forest of Pulau Rangsang, an outer isle in East Sumatra coastline, by APRIL’s  PT Sumatera Riang Lestari.  Sumatera.  The photo taken on coordinate point N. 00 56 48.5. E. 103 04 47.1 

Photo 9. Natural forest clearance by PT Sumatera Riang Lestari in Pulau Rangsang only left certain size of  Ramin (Gonystylus spp.) trees and chop down the CITES species with specific size. As a swamp species ramin is prone to over-exploitation and cannot be cultivated on plantations, therefore these remaining Ramin trees will also fell due to ecosystem of peat 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. 00 56 48.5. E. 103 04 47.1 

Photo 10. Natural forest clearance by PT Sumatera Riang Lestari in Pulau Rangsang only left certain size of  Ramin (Gonystylus spp.) trees and chop down the CITES species with larger/smaller size. As a swamp species ramin is prone to over-exploitation and cannot be cultivated on plantations, therefore these remaining Ramin trees will also fell due to ecosystem of peat 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. 00 56 48.5. E. 103 04 47.1 

Photo 11. Natural forest contains commercially-potential mixed tropical hardwood in concession of PT Sumatera Riang Lestari in Pulau Rangsang that converted to pulpwood plantation.  Peat swamp forest in Pulau Rangsang, a tiny isle in eastern Sumatra coast PT. Sumatera Riang Lestari, was threatened due to the conversion. Photo taken on coordinate point N. 00 56 48.5. E. 103 04 47.1

3.Natural forest clearance by PT Sumatera Riang Lestari of Blok Pulau Rupat in  Pulau Rupat (Rupat Island)  

Photo 12. Canals drained in pulpwood expansion of PT Sumatera Riang Lestari in Pulau Rupat. Photo taken on coordinate point N. 01 56 07,8  E. 101 34 50,8 

--to be continued