By: Dita Ramadhani

Berau, East Kalimantan--Journalists visited WWF-Indonesia and TNC (The Nature Conservancy) work area in Berau, East Kalimantan on November 11 – 14, 2013. The international and national journalists came to see sustainable forest management in PT. Sumalindo Lestari Jaya IV (SLJ IV) concession in Gunung Sari, Tanjung Redeb, West Berau. 
 
The group of WWF, TNC and journalists were welcome by Head of West Berau Forest Management Unit, Mr. Hamzah. He presented current condition of natural forest in Berau, East Kalimantan, and the next plan to improve the management. 
 
In this four days trip, the journalists had the chance to learn from villagers who live surrounding SLJ IV concession on several key partnership on forestry management in the area. Through written agreement between villagers and SLJ IV, villagers has been actively involved in timber production surveillance and forest security. This partnership prevent illegal logging occuring inside the concession. As a return, villagers got reward/ fee from the company. The fee system is running transparently since year 2009.
 
The group also visited Sumalindo’s wood working factory in Samarinda, East Kalimantan. In this factory visit, the journalists learned more about timber flow and timber trade. Both SLJ IV and Sumalindo Global Industry has achieved SVLK (Timber Legality Verification System) certificate. SVLK is a mandated legality system from Indonesian government for all timber product exporters.  
 
The trip to Berau and Samarinda is part of WWF and TNC effort in telling good examples of sustainable forest management and responsible timber in Indonesia. This activity is supported by the Australian Government’s RAFT (Responsible Asia Forest and Trade) program.