The Economic Significance Of A Sustainable Old Growth Forest

The old growth forest industry of Tasmania is a highly important and crucial player in the economy of the region. More than 2000 jobs are dependent on growth logging as well as the timber production for many homes across the area. If logging is terminated, it will surely result to closures of sawmills and lesser supply for first grade cabinet and furniture timber. This is the highlight of the autonomous report disclosed just recently by the Symmetrics Business Intelligence. This has been seconded by the National Association of Forest Industries or NAFI as it acknowledges the socio-economic contributions of old growth forests for a sustainable source of timber products. This validates that Tasmania is a vital timber resource base of Australia. This report comes timely to increasing demand by environment groups lobbying the stoppage of old growth logging in Tasmania. Their request clearly does not acknowledge the economic importance of the industry, not to mention the timber communities dependent on renewable harvesting in such forests.



Moreover, the said report allows for the old growth debate in a different context. Many environmental advocates persist that old forest logging is depleting the natural resource of the country. However, proper forest management makes sure that harvested timber is replaced by new growths making the resource renewable and sustainable, meeting the demands of many homeowners. The use of timber across Australia has the potential to greatly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions.



An estimated 50% of the forests of Tasmania are protected as national parks, where 80% of the region’s topnotch old growth forests can be found. The rest are delegated to be used as community resources including the production and recreation of wood products used in making cabinets, furniture and floorings. These wood products are highly valued by Australians with an increasing demand especially in the building of homes. This portion of the old growth forests is managed by the federal government under the Regional Forest Agreement.



It is very obvious that we will not have superior wood products in the country if sustainable logging of old growth forest is stopped in Tasmania. This would translate to more imports from various nations like Indonesia, the Congo and Papua New Guinea, that have less stringent forest management. In truth, Australia is importing an estimated of over $400 million worth of wood products from suspicious and non-renewable sources. The loss of Tasmania as an important resource base will further this problem, making more endangered forests susceptible to illegal loggings. We clearly cannot control the level of forest management beyond our shores, we can only focus on ours. With good forest management, we can harness the forest’s yield while making sure that it can be sustained for more demands in the future.



Old growth forests in Tasmania are managed efficiently based on sustainable and responsible management. The country is certified by an international agency, which looks into the best and most excellent practice in forest management. NAFI itself understands the importance of preserving the national parks and reserves but is also affirms the crucial and vital contribution of a small portion of the old growth forest for community needs and demand for wood products. Using and sustainably managing a small part of the forest is a solution that responds to human needs as well as values the environment. In this case, small will do for “small is beautiful” as E.F. Schumacher puts it.