Press Release
The plan of Kalimantan Forests and Climate Project (KFCP) a project funded by AusAID Australia to implement a hydrological rehabilitation (canal blocking) through deployment of heavy equipment such excavators in the Block A and E of the ex Mega Rice Project (ex-MRP) in Central Kalimantan receive opposition and rejection from peat scientists and practitioners of the University of Palangka Raya (UNPAR) and those local experts demand the plan should be abandoned as well as argue the district, provincial and central governments to cancel the KFCP as a REDD demonstration activity if the project sticks with their plan to do so.
Rejection is based upon scientific and technical considerations as well as potential negative impacts in terms of ecological, economic and social aspects that may occur if the plan is still implemented on the ground.
From scientific point of view, hydrological rehabilitation activity using excavators to close or blocking open canals through excavating or using peat or organic matters that are currently available on the existing canals embankments as well as other wood debris is considered as less scientific justification and lack of experience methods. It is acknowledged that a similar technique has been tested limitedly by a private sector in Sumatera, but it’s successful and effectiveness has not been scientifically proven. In addition, the peat ecosystem as well as its physical characteristics in Sumatera is different from peat in the ex-MRP of Central Kalimantan, hence, similar hydrological rehabilitation method may not yield same outcomes.
From engineering perspective, blocking and filling up of open canals by utilizing existing peat organic matters volume available on the canal banks will no longer enough to refill or close entirely the existing open canals as the availability of peat matters on the canal levee is currently very minimum due to subsidence, decomposition and depletion result from previous repeated fires in the area. As consequences, new peat refill needs to be excavated from other sites so as to fulfill the refill shortage which means closing old canals, by digging new canals. Apart from that, existing peat organic matters on canal banks have experienced irreversible shrinking due to repeated dry seasons and hence, it has lost its water absorption capacity. In addition, a plan to use existing wood debris and dead wood is also seen as ineffective means and wasting efforts as the existing debris and dead wood volumes are very limited.
Deployment of excavators in the hydrological rehabilitation (canal blocking) activity in the block A and E of the ex-MRP is predicted to impose negative impacts in terms of ecological, economic and social.
In terms of ecological, utilization of excavators in the hydrological rehabilitation will possibly create negative impacts as follows:
Firstly, excavator’s track and pathway will accelerate the process of peat subsidence and peat compaction leading to increasing of GHGs emission release and will hinder natural regeneration, which at the end, could slow down the carbon sequestration rate in the area;
Secondly, mobilization and movement of the excavators will destroy existing vegetation species and natural regeneration that already established in the areas, both along the canal levees and canal courses;
Thirdly, mobilization and movement of the excavators will disturb aquatic biota and vegetation that are already naturally regenerated and established both within the Blok A and E of the ex-MRP;
Fourthly, utilization of wood debris and dead wood to refill the open canals is potentially accelerated the release of GHGs emissions or loss of standing dead biomass due to do later on use for other purposes such as firewood, charcoal, building material or loss due to fire incidence;
Fifthly, the excavation of peat organic matters from canal embankment in order to refill the open canals is potentially led to increase sedimentation rate at both Mantangai and Kapuas Rivers as mostly both block A and B areas are routinely inundated during peak rainy season so that it is worried that peat matters will flow out to the downstream rivers. This situation will increase sedimentation rate of both rivers and at the end will exacerbate river pollution, which is potentially disturbed the aquatic ecosystem.
From economic and social perspectives, utilization of excavators in hydrological rehabilitation will contra-productive and will potentially raise negative impacts, such as:
Firstly, activity of hydrological rehabilitation that uses heavy equipment (capital incentive) will reduce opportunity of the local labors involvement in the KFCP program. This situation is not suitable and contradictory with the 3Es (effective, efficient & equity) principle as core objective of REDD activity; and
Secondly, mobilization and movement of excavator will potentially create social tensions between project and local landowners. Many villagers have planted crops and other commercial trees in their respective lands as well as in the adjacent canals, thus, the excavator pathway and movement within such areas will potentially destroy existing crops and trees.
Lack of Respect Upon Traditional Wisdom Technology
Implementation of hydrological rehabilitation through operating of heavy equipment such as excavator is seen as less effective and inefficient ways compared to the traditional dam (traditional called TABAT) system ones. CIMTROP’s UNPAR as well as other NGOs have practiced the traditional dam system in restoring peat hydrology for years in Central Kalimantan and this traditional dam technology is proven very effective and efficient ways as well as gains successful in restoring peat hydrology.
Therefore, current proposed KFCP’s hydrological rehabilitation method could be seen as lack of respect and acknowledgement upon the traditional knowledge and technology that have been traditionally practiced in the region. KFCP’s reliance on the capital-intensive method is not only considered as ineffective and inefficient as well as a way of wasting money, but also could possibly create negative impacts to the existing peatland ecosystem.
Considering those aforementioned factors as well as its potential negative impacts that is likely to emerge, hence, UNPAR’s peat scientists and practitioners recommend the following points:
1. KFCP’s plan to do hydrological rehabilitation by using excavator in the Block A and E of the ex-Mega Rice Project much be cancelled;
2. Urge the governments of Kapuas District and Central Kalimantan Province as well as Central Government to re-examine whether or not the Project has conducted appropriate and deep Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study upon its hydrological rehabilitation plan. If EIA study has been completed, it is highly recommended to do re-examination and re-evaluation upon the study result; and
3. If the project is stick with its original plan to implement the hydrological rehabilitation through the deployment of heavy equipment (excavator), hence, it is recommended that both provincial and central governments need to carry out overall evaluation upon the implementation of KFCP as REDD demonstration activity in the ex Mega Rice Project, as it is seen that their hydrological rehabilitation interventions against the efforts of protecting peatland and curbing emissions released from this fragile ecosystem.
Palangka Raya, 20 June 2011.
Representatives of UNPAR’s Peat Scientist and Practitioners:
Dr. Ir. Suwido Limin, MS
Mr. Alue Dohong
Dr.Ir. Uras Tantulo, M.Sc
Dr. Darmae Nasir, M.Si, MA
Dr. Yanetri Asi, SP, MP
Dr. Ir. Adi Jaya, M.Si
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