The use of digital technology is proving successful so far as forest management, sustainability and combating climate change is concerned.
These results were announced during PNG Forest Authority’s presentation to the team of Experts Group on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade (EGILAT).
The Experts Group on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade was established in 2011 in response to statements, decisions and priorities of leaders and ministers of APEC.
PNG Forest Authority showcased two of its highly digitalised projects – the Multi-Purpose National Forest Inventory and the Capacity Development Project for Operationalisation of PNG Forest Resource Information Management System for Addressing Climate Change.
PNG is said to be the third country in the world with virgin forest, after the Amazon forest of Brazil and the Congo Basin of Africa.
Despite this, PNG does not know how much forest it has and what is in its forests. The inventory project is expected to provide information on this through the use of digital technology.
Prior to the inventory project, it was thought that PNG had only 60 percent of forest cover.
But through the use of the digital technology, it has been found that PNG has 78 percent forest cover, of which 60 percent is intact.
Likewise, the PNG Forest Resource Information Management System, designed to its staff in digital technology, will enable them to continuously update forest information and promote sustainable forest management and ensure climate change is addressed.
