Sabah TLAS Audit Report

Transcription

1 Sabah TLAS Audit Report Sabah Legality Standard Principles 1 4 FDS-TLAS-006 Licensee Contact Person Office Address Licensee: Rakyat Berjaya Sdn. Bhd. Contractor: Indah Serimas Sdn. Bhd. Banting Yukang (RBJ OIC) Keti B Sintar (Plantation Manager Indah Serimas) Rakyat Berjaya Sdn. Bhd. (Keningau Office) Pusat Kraftangan Sabah, KM5 Jln Apin- Apin, Peti Surat 961, Keningau, Sabah. Indah Serimas Sdn. Bhd. Contractor Office: Lot 8-2, 21nd Floor, Block E, Jalan Lintas Square, KK, Sabah. Reference # G Date of Report Date of close out Telephone 24 December Fax emonday6700@gmail.com keithcatt@yahoo.com Approved By Dr. Kevin Grace Statements Audit Statement GFS 094 LVS Issuance Date 01 January 2018 Expiration Date 31 December 2018 Assessment Dates December 2017 Assessment Details Scope of Assessment TLAS P1 P4; SFMLA 09/97 (KGU 16/12, KGU 09/14 & KGU 10/15) Species Lead Assessor Assessor(s) FDS Staff Salvage logging: Drybalanops spp. (Kapur), Dipterocarp spp. (Keruing), Shorea inappendiculata (Selangan batu), Koompassia malaccensis (Impas), Parashorea spp. (White seraya), Shorea spp. (Red seraya, Yellow seraya, Melapi), Heritiera simplicifolia (Kembang), Scaphium spp. (Kembang semangkuk), (Nyatoh), Shorea pauciflora (Oba suluk), Neolamarckia cadamba (Laran), Duabanga moluccana (Magas), Octomeles sumatrana (Binuang), Alstonia spp. (Pulai), Nauclea spp. / Neonauclea spp. (Bangkal), Annonaceae spp. (Karai), Eugenia spp. (Obah), Sindora beccariana (Sepetir), Lauraceace (Medang), Planchonia valida (Putat), Lophopetalum spp. (Perupok), Terminalia subspathulata (Talisai), Lithocarpus & Quercus (Mempening), Myristicaceae (Darah-darah), Dillenia spp. (Simpor), Cotylelobium spp. (Resak batu), Cratoxylum arborescens (Serungan), Pentace spp. (Takalis), Koordersiodendron pinnatum (Ranggu), Hopea sangal (Gagil), Tristaniopsis merguensis (Pelawan-pelawan), Gluta/ Semecarpus/ Melanochyla & Swintonia (Rengas), Annonaceae (Pisang-pisang), Azadirachta excels (Bawang-bawang), Endospermum diadenum (Sendok Sendok), Assam, Perapat Hutan Mohd. Akram Mansur Dayang Hanisah Binti Maidin, Charlene Billy Roslan Junaidi (KU FLEGT), Hendry Ladsou (DFO Sook), Muhd. Razali Bin Mohammad (SFM Keningau), Sunanto Saibu (ADFO Sook), Richard Goumin (KPPM Sook/Pandiwan), Leroy Gaidim (KPPM Labau). 1

2 OBJECTIVES: The objective of this checklist is to verify compliance to the Criteria listed in the Sabah Legality Standard as defined by Principles 1-4 for Sabah dated 01 st January 2015 (FDS-TLAS-002). Compliance is defined when all applicable criteria are observed to be compliant. A Minor Gap to any indicator does not constitute non-compliance to a criterion. A Major Gap to any applicable indicator does reflect non-compliance to a criterion. Compliance for a criterion where multiple minor gaps are identified in indicators under the criterion may reflect non-compliance to the criterion. All issues identified under this standard shall be considered appropriate to the scale and degree of forestry operations undertaken by the parties under the agreement. Summary Information Overview of Licensee: Rakyat Berjaya Sdn. Bhd. (RBJ) is the commercial investment arm of the Yayasan Sabah Group (YSG, also known as Sabah Foundation) that implements timber harvesting activities on behalf of the foundation. RBJ is a company registered in Malaysia. Land tenure is based on the Sustainable Forest Management Licensed Agreement (SFMLA) 09/1997 that commenced on 10 Sept 1997 and expires on 10 Sept 2097 for all activities within the concession. The 100-year agreement covers all forest operations and related development activities within the concession. RBJ is also responsible for preparation of the 10-year Forest Management Plan (FMP) and Annual Work Plans (AWPs). Currently, YSG holds management rights to eight Forest Management Units (FMU), which includes FMU 15 and 16. FMU 16 comprises a total gross area size of 119,003 ha, largely consisting of logged-over forests within the Sungai Pinangah Forest Reserve. RBJ currently engages the subcontractors Indah Serimas Sdn. Bhd. for mosaic planting and maintenance activities, and Menara Majumas Sdn. Bhd. for salvage logging operations. Land use classification: FMU 16 is classified as Forest Reserve Class II. Land classification FDP Area (ha) Current (ha) Total Concession Area (FMU 16 MR project area) 14,960 14,960 Production Area - Natural Forest Management Area 2,488 2,488 - Mosaic Restoration / Planting (Mosaic) 12,165 12,165 Protected Forest & Conservation Areas* 1,750 1,750 Research 307 ha 307 ha * Part of the production area (NFM & MP) Environmental context FMU 16 has been logged-over several times over during the past 40 years. This began in the early 70s and continued in 80s and 90s with issuance of a total of eight Special Licenses. Since the date when RBJ received the forest license, the area has been proactively logged using conventional techniques and these historically poor logging practices have resulted in a residual forest that is considerably poor in commercial regeneration, with extensive pioneer tree cover 2

3 and rapidly proliferating vine growth. However, there have been trials and research in regards to Reduced Impact Logging. A forest inventory for FMU 15 and 16 (combined) was carried out in 2009 for the preparation of the FMP. The inventory defined Dipterocarp species, commercial Non-Dipterocarp species, pioneers and other non-commercial tree species for which no specific commercial value had been determined. For the total area of 119,003 ha of FMU 16, the forest stratification identified 9.08 % of the area as falling into Stratum 1, 3.5% into Stratum 2, 12.88% into Stratum 3, 74.04% into Stratum 4 and 0.36% into Stratum 5. Within the mosaic restoration project area, only 28% of inventory plots were found to be stocked with PCTs and of those almost 50% fall into the diameter class below 20 cm DBH. Eighteen percent of the plots were devoid of trees (Ref.: 2012 FDP for Mosaic Restoration). A small isolated population of orang-utans was identified in FMU 16. In addition, the Bornean Gibbon, Pig-tailed macaque, Long-tailed macaque, Sambar deer, Bearded pig, Barking deer, Leopard cat, Common Palm civet and tree shrews were observed to occur in FMU 15 and 16. Environmental resources include Sg. Inarad, Sg. Imbak and Sg. Sinoa in FMU 16 as well as 14 species of endangered or vulnerable tree species. Also, FMU 16 is known as a seasonal refuge for Bornean Pygmy Elephants. FMU 16 contains fragmented pockets of a Class IV Virgin Jungle Reserve, within which logging activities are not permitted. An EIA titled Proposed Integrated Mosaic Planting in Sungai Pinangah Forest Reserve under Yayasan Sabah Concession Area, Tongod, and Sabah was approved by the Sabah Forestry Department (FDS), Ref.#: JPAS/PP/24/600-1/01/3/46 dated 24 July Social context A Social Baseline Survey (SBS)/Social Impact Assessment (SIA) was conducted for FMU 15 and 16 in Nineteen villages and 26 settlements were identified within a 2 km distance of the boundaries, but none is located within the project area. The SBS/SIA states that the area continues to be the main source of supply for non-timber forest products for the local communities. The Forest Development Plan states that this does not apply to the mosaic restoration project area. The SBS identified a total human population of 8,193. The population is collectively known as Orang Sungai, however there is great diversity in ethnicity and religion among the various villages and settlements. The traditional native activities of hunting for meat for home consumption, and collecting medicinal plants, honey, rattan and other NTFPs within the concession are recognized by FDS and YSG, but only by those from the communities identified in the SBS/SIA. No specific community forestry projects were identified during the audit. Indah Serimas donates items such as sports equipment for the local children. Scope of Assessment The scope of the evaluation is to verify compliance of Rakyat Berjaya Sdn. Bhd. (Indah Serimas Sdn. Bhd.) with the Sabah Forest Management Licensed Agreement (SFMLA 09/97) for FMU 16. The assessment is in accordance on the terms of the agreement for the Sabah Legality Standard Principles 1-4 dated 01 st January 2015 (FDS-TLAS-002). Site evaluation to verify and report the level of compliance by Rakyat Berjaya Sdn. Bhd. (Indah Serimas Sdn. Bhd.) and contractors to the standard in respect to each of the criteria within this report. Compliance is defined when the auditee demonstrates that the indicators consist of none or only minor gaps against any applicable criteria of the standard. Non-compliance to the Sabah Legality Standard occurs when the auditee does not demonstrate adequate compliance to a criterion. 3

4 Itinerary of Assessment Date 18 December 2017 Monday 19 December 2017 Tuesday 20 December 2017 Wednesday 21 December 2017 Thursday 22 December 2017 Friday Activity Travelling to Keningau and opening meeting at RBJ Keningau. Field visit to: Indah Serimas Site Office, Compartment 739 and Compartment 740 (land preparation), Compartment 739 and Compartment 726 (Planting site), Compartment 704 (Silviculture/Climber cutting). Field visit to: Compartment 735 (Permanent sample Plot PSP for NFM), Workshop (abandoned), Nursery, Riparian Reserve, labour line (Sub-contractor Bidara Bumimas) and manned gate. Document review at Indah Serimas Keningau Office. Closing meeting at RBJ Keningau and travelling to Sandakan. Highlights of Assessment (Major Gaps = 0; Minor Gaps = 0; Observations = 1) Rakyat Berjaya Sdn. Bhd./Indah Serimas Sdn. Bhd. has complied with the Sabah Legality Standard (FDS-TLAS-002) as no non-compliance was identified during the assessment on December Summary of status of operations by Principle: Principle 1. Rakyat Berjaya Sdn. Bhd. (Indah Serimas Sdn. Bhd.) has a signed Licensed Agreement: SFMLA 09/1997 which expires on 10 September Rakyat Berjaya Sdn. Bhd. (Indah Serimas Sdn. Bhd.) demonstrated compliance to license requirements and submission of documents such as the Environmental Impact Assessment report; Forest management Plan; Annual Work Plan to the relevant authorities. Principle 2. The company maintained record of log production, timber disposal permit, receipt royalty payment and removal passes. Environmental Compliance Reports prepared by the consultant but disturbance to riparian buffer area was identified during the assessment. One minor gap and two observations were raised as follows: Gap 011/2017 (Minor) - Checklist 2.1.5: Minor disturbance was observed at riparian reserve at Compartment 734/736 during bridge construction (contractor extracted top soil within riparian reserve to lay foundation on the bridge). Status on 22 December 2017: Gap 011/2017 (Minor) - Closed Disturbed area at the riparian reserve, Compartment 734/736, has been planted with pioneer species trees to rehabilitate the area. Rectification report was provided indicated all evidence has been checked by KPPM Pandiwan and verified by DFO Sook. Observation 001 Checklist 2.1.3: Currently, workshop and campsite operated by Bidara Bumimas at camp mile 63 are being dismantled as harvesting within the area has completed. However, it was observed that used oil and used item/spare parts have yet to be collected and removed from campsite in accordance with environmental regulations. 4

5 Highlights of Assessment Status on 2 December 2016: Observation 002 Checklist : No safety sign (sign board) was erected at nearly collapsed bridge at Compartment 734. Status on 22 December 2017: Observation addressed Safety sign (red ribbon) has been placed at nearly collapsed bridge at Compartment 734. Rectification report was provided indicated all evidence has been checked by KPPM Pandiwan and verified by DFO Sook. Principle 3. Rakyat Berjaya Sdn. Bhd. (Indah Serimas Sdn. Bhd.) has paid the applicable licensing fees and other charges to the District Forestry Office such as FD machineries registration. Record of royalty payments and removal passes fees payment also available during document review. Principle 4. Social Baseline Survey and Social Impact Assessment in FMU 16, were carried out by FDS-YS FMP Team and Ekohandal Sdn. Bhd. All meetings and communications conducted with the communities were recorded. Note: No local communities associated with the Indah Serimas licensed area (KGU 16/12, KGU 09/14 & KGU 10/15). Results: (Compliance = 15; Non-Compliance = 0) Gaps were raised against indicators & criteria during the December 2017 assessment. GAP Type Checklist Description 011/2017 Minor Minor disturbance was observed at the riparian reserve at Compartment 734/736 during bridge construction (contractor extracted top soil within the riparian reserve to lay foundation on the bridge). Status of previous outstanding Gaps. GAP Type Checklist Status Description of Close Out 011/2017 Minor Closed Status on 22 December 2017: Disturbed area at the riparian reserve, Compartment 734/736 has been planted with pioneer species trees to rehabilitate the area. Rectification report was provided indicated all evidence has been checked by KPPM Pandiwan and verified by DFO Sook. Observations: Year 2017 OBS # Checklist # Description Currently, workshop and campsite operated by Bidara Bumimas at camp mile 63 is being dismantled as harvesting within the area has completed. However, it was observed that used oil and used item/spare part are yet to be collected and removed from campsite in accordance with environmental regulations No safety sign (sign board) was erected at nearly collapsed bridge at Compartment 734. Status on 22 December 2017: 5

6 Safety sign (red ribbon) has been placed at nearly collapsed bridge at Compartment 734. Rectification report was provided indicated all evidence has been checked by KPPM Pandiwan and verified by DFO Sook. Addressed Highlights of Close Out Visit (if applicable) Dates - Not applicable Recommendations Rakyat Berjaya Sdn. Bhd. (Indah Serimas Sdn. Bhd.) has demonstrated compliance with the Sabah Legality Standard (FDS-TLAS-002) for its designated area and is recommended to receive a GFS Audit Statement and STCC from FDS. Observation identified in this assessment should be addressed before the next surveillance visit. Action required to addressed observation include: Observation 001 Checklist 2.1.3: Ensure all used item material or used oil/scheduled waste is collected and removed from campsite in accordance with environmental regulations for closure and abandonment. The next surveillance audit will be scheduled in December End of Summary Report 6