Forestfund - 3 Februari 2021. Independent monitor’s role in timber legality monitoring is vital for the effective implementation of Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS). A wide variety of problems they faced in the past as well as the importance of having the better cooperation with stakeholders in monitoring process becomes a challenge, hence the urgency of the improved concept of monitoring scheme.
Together with independent monitors, IFM Fund develops a concept with a territory-based approach that emphasises on the important functions of the State whose authority includes forest area and national political territorial administration. Through this concept, it is expected that synergy form between independent monitors and other stakeholders such as Forest Management Unit (FMU) and forestry offices that have forestry sector activities as one of their functions and authorities.
FMU is a forest management area with adjusted main function and objective, which can be efficiently and sustainably managed. As the smallest managing unit at site level, FMU plays the role to control any activities within the forest area in its territory. As such, supervision and management of forest resources, including TLAS, falls in its authority.
In addition to the development of scheme of TLAS implementation monitoring in FMU area, development should also be carried out in district or Forestry Office Unit (CDK) administrative territories. CDK role in implementation of administration to achieve efficient and quick provision of public service affects the system implementation.
Up to now, the developed monitoring scheme has stepped in to finalisation phase through the 3 February 2021 meeting that discussed matters concerning the scope of indicators, authority, territory to verification method.