Collaboration on reforestation operations in fire-ravaged Southern and Eastern CapeFollowing a meeting with forestry and sawmilling stakeholders, Forestry South Africa (FSA) and Sawmilling South Africa (SSA) have emphasised the need for collaboration and careful coordination between the government and the industry during recovery operations in the fire-ravaged areas of the Southern and Eastern Cape. Ylvers via pixabay The two associations, the government departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and Trade and Industry (the dti) and the National Disaster Management Centre are assisting industry with plans to mitigate the impact of these losses, by salvaging commercially saleable product and re-establishing the affected areas. Extensive damage to timber plantationsThe prolonged drought, high temperatures, powerful winds and fire-adapted fynbos combined to exacerbate the spread of and devastation caused by the fires. Salvage, re-establishment and reforestation operationsFrom an employment perspective, there may be a short-term increase in jobs as the industry seeks to commence salvage, re-establishment and reforestation operations, providing it can secure the finance necessary for these interventions. However, in the medium to longer term, and until the plantations return to a more normalised rotation, stakeholders will need to explore other employment interventions, as the future sustainable supply of timber will be adversely affected. FSA, SSA as well as SAFCA (the South African Forestry Contractors Association) will mobilise additional contractor capacity to ensure that the interests of local businesses and jobs are protected. The South African Wood Preservers Association (SAWPA) will carry out research around the ‘treatability’ of burned poles. |