Reduced Impact Logging and FSC Certification in Papua New Guinea

Project Overview

Working in a remote tropical forest concession in Papua New Guinea presents challenges that plantation forestry in South Africa does not — rugged terrain, high-value mixed species, complex environmental and social obligations, and the requirements of FSC tropical forest certification. Charles served as Forestry Manager for Cloudy Bay Sustainable Forestry Ltd from 2012 to 2013.

Scope of Work

Overall management of forestry operations including road construction and maintenance, timber extraction, reduced impact logging (RIL) implementation, FSC compliance management, and staff and contractor supervision. Managing the environmental and social requirements of FSC certification in a tropical forest context.

Approach

Reduced impact logging minimises the collateral damage to the forest stand and soil during extraction. This requires careful pre-harvest planning, directional felling, skid trail layout and monitoring of damage indicators. FSC certification in a tropical context also requires thorough stakeholder engagement, social impact monitoring and environmental impact management across a diverse and sensitive ecosystem.