TEAK 2000 is a new initiative in the forestry sector which was launched in October, 1996, in the Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam. It aims to:
The initiative aims to establish sufficient areas of quality hardwood plantations in a socially acceptable and environmentally friendly manner, under new regimes, to produce a significant output of high grade timber, on a sustained basis, to satisfy future domestic and international markets.
The initiative will begin with teak (Tectona grandis), the most important high grade tropical plantation species, but will include other species as soon as the scheme is functioning effectively.
Natural forests are the source of almost all high grade hardwoods in the tropics but are being degraded and deforested at an unprecedented rate. Areas under sustained yield are relatively small and alternative supply sources (plantations), which provide positive social and environmental benefits, are scarce.
Teak, the major tropical hardwood plantation species, is a useful indicator of plantation trends. In 1980, it constituted 11% of the total area of tropical forest plantations whereas in 1990 the corresponding figure was 5%.
If present trends persist, the future outlook for the sustainable supply of quality tropical hardwoods, is bleak. This is at a time when demand for the raw material, particularly domestic demand, is forecast to rise.
What is required now, to avoid a pending crisis in the sustainable supply of tropical hardwoods, is to increase, substantially, the area under sustainable management in natural forests and supplement this with a significant increase in plantations which perform social and environmental roles.
It was against this background, and in search for a solution to the problem, that TEAK 2000 was developed.
To expand the area under tropical hardwood plantations in an effective manner, it is necessary to ensure that certain prerequisites are satisfied, including:
The basic model for TEAK 2000 is the Consortium Support Model (CSM). As the name suggests, it is a system under which support (financial and technical) is given to groups (consortia) of growers to enable them to produce more and better quality timber in a socially acceptable and environmentally friendly manner.
The components of the model include:
Tentative targets for TEAK 2000 are the establishment of 1.5 to 2 million ha of teak and other quality hardwood plantations which, in 30 or 40 years, should:
TEAK 2000 is designed to assist the flow of capital towards sustainable hardwood activities in the tropics. It aims to use existing and new financial mechanisms to redirect and channel substantial capital flows towards plantation development, industry and marketing in ways which support rural communities and enhance the environment. Required sums will be large. It is estimated that establishment costs on plantations will be in the order of US $ 100 million per year.
New plantations will be based mainly on a combination of large- and small-scale land ownerships in the private and community sectors. Such combinations have much to offer over separate developments.
A wide range of planting patterns will be acceptable including: dispersed single trees, rows, clumps, mosaics, woodlots (conducive to agro-forestry activities) and large plantations.
TEAK 2000 also envisages direct links with natural forest projects for each established plantation grouping in order to provide real protection to natural forest areas and their in situ biodiversity.
What is needed is a balanced approach to the problem. TEAK 2000 aims to provide a nucleus for this balance by planting hardwoods on the basis of best practices recognised. Established plantations may be incorporated into the scheme if they obey strict social and environmental criteria.
TEAK 2000 proposes to include governments, the private sector, local communities and environmental bodies in the endeavour. It recognises the need for all of these sectors to co-operate in the development if the mistakes of the past are to be avoided.
Based on reaction received to the concept and related proposals since the early 1990s, there is widespread interest in TEAK 2000 and the CMS. This is based on feedback from a wide range of diverse organizations including governments, growers, donors, traders, universities, researchers and others.
A mechanism (the foundation mechanism) is being put in place to translate the concept into working reality. The foundation mechanism will begin as a forum of interested stakeholders.
Reaction is now being sought from a wide number of potential actors regarding their willingness to participate in a primary meeting of the foundation mechanism.
Contact: rmkeogh@teak2000.iol.ie
Raymond M. Keogh
TEAK 2000. A Consortium Support Model for greatly increasing the contribution of quality hardwood plantations to sustainable development. IIED Forestry and Land Use Series No. 9. Available from International Institute for Environment and Development. 3 Endsleigh Street, London WC1H 0DD, UK. (£ 10.00).
TEAK 2000 - how socially acceptable and environmentally friendly?
(unpublished) - R. M. Keogh.
TEAK 2000 in context - the tropical hardwood question - problems and solutions.
(unpublished) - R. M. Keogh.