To measure the progress in sustainable forest management trends, the PNG Forest Authority has adopted and applied the ITTO (International Tropical Timber Organization) set of criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management of natural tropical forests for the National Level. The authority has also developed PNG’s criteria and indicators which are yet to be applied at the Forest Management Unit Level.

One of the primary missions of the Papua New Guinea Forest Authority is the sustainable management of the nation’s forest resources such that it is used wisely for the current and future generations to meet their economic, environmental and social needs.

This is highlighted in the country’s Forest Policy and other regulatory framework that have been developed by the PNG Forest Authority. Papua New Guinea’s Forest Policy is based on the Fourth Goal of the Constitution which is “to ensure that the forest resources of the country are used and replenished for the collective benefit of all Papua New Guineans now and for future generations”.

It is based on the Sustainable Forest Management Principles that forest concessions are acquired under Forest Management Agreement (FMA) terms and condition so as to ensure the forest maintain a sustained flow of benefits to the landowners now and in the future.

Application of National Criteria and Indicators

Introduction

At its Twenty-ninth Session in Yokohama in November 2000, the International Tropical Timber Council strongly urged member countries to use the ITTO Criteria and Indicators for reporting to ITTO on the progress made towards the Year 2000 Objective [Decision 2 (XXIX].  It also requested the Executive-Director to develop a format to facilitate the reporting of progress in implementing the ITTO Criteria and Indicators.

Two Formats have been prepared in response to these Decisions, one for the National Level and one for the Forest Management Unit Level.

The National Level Format consists of two parts:

ð   A Questionnaire designed to collect data on all the ITTO Criteria and Indicators; and

ð   A Summary of Highlights, which will present the most significant features of the Questionnaire, particularly progress towards sustainable management or special difficulties encountered.

The reports based upon these Formats are important documents. They will bring to fruition the objectives of the criteria and indicators – to assist countries in the process of achieving sustainable forest management and to give a clear signal to the outside world and to those who purchase tropical timber products that ITTO producer countries are making real progress towards sustainable forest management.

The Papua New Guinea Forest Authority, who is the regulatory government agency overseeing the implementation of sustainable forest management principles has compiled the country report for Papua New Guinea.

Many of the indicators are quantitative and do not cause any problems if the data are available.  But many are qualitative, concerning the existence and implementation of guidelines, procedures etc.  As far as possible, subjective terms have been avoided. Altogether, the PNG National Report was compiled based on the first set of seven (7) criteria and their varying number of indicators: The criteria include: Enabling Conditions for Sustainable Forest Management; Forest Resource Security; Forest Ecosystem Health and Condition; Flow of Forest Produce; Biological Diversity; Soil and Water; and Economic, Social and Cultural Aspects. (Click here for more.)