Travel notes from a visit in the German forests in August 2019

by Gamin Gesa, Indonesia (accompanied by Yopie Parisy, Indonesia)

Gamin is a teacher (Widyaiswara-Trainer) at the Center for Environmental and Forestry Human Resources Training, The Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Forest Planning is the major interest. This paper is an expression of the writer's admiration for forest management found in Germany, although naturally the natural conditions are completely different. But the writer is very proud to get the opportunity to Germany.

Forest cover in Germany occupies 32% (11,419,124 ha) of the total land use (35,720,780 ha). Agricultural use is the largest (52%), and the rest is built up area and transportation facilities (13%). Forests in Germany consist of state property (33%), communal property (19%) and private property (48%). Recognizing the ability of the soil through soil profiles can produce site classifications which are then used to provide recommendations for combinations of relatively suitable plant species.

Information on management plans that are integrated with land administration maps with various information themes are presented in a geographic information system that can be accessed by all forestry personnel so that all parties know and can access according to the needs of their task fields.

The nature conservation area is a domain that is under the authority of forestry that must be obeyed by all parties, both the owners of state forests, communal forests, and private forests. The definition of forest in Germany is to emphasize attention to its vegetative cover, not its ownership. Nature 2000, which was ratified by European countries, is an exception to the handling of sites even in areas of nature conservation. The issue that is brought up is the management of nature for the preservation of nature by prioritizing the main functions and objectives of determining the function of the forest.

To find out the detailed potential of each forest an inventory activity site is carried out. The development of plant growth and its predictions can be monitored through permanent sample plots. Permanent sample plots receive the same treatment as other areas that are not sample plots in terms of maintenance or harvesting, because permanent sample plots are a reflection of forest management that runs on forest areas in general.

Based on forest inventory data carried out at the regional / central level, the management unit describes it in annual, five-year, and ten-year plans. The plan is implemented and reviewed annually to be adjusted according to the latest conditions. Harvesting is carried out not only in the planned area according to production demands but also in the area of the permit to use the forest area while endangering human or animal safety according to the intended use of the area.

Site fertility classification in Indonesia has been carried out especially in Java with the existence of soil fertility classes stated in Bonita. It is necessary to explore this classification of soil fertility for all of Indonesia in addition to the data and maps of the "Land System".
Indonesia has a Bhakti Rimbawan scheme for a two-year work contract for fresh graduates, complete with two years of staffing in Germany. The difference is that in Germany 50 percent of the total number of apprentices are then selected to become employees, while in Indonesia Bhakti Rimbawan follows an open selection to compete with registrants who have never been Bakti Rimbawan.

Interactive mockups at the Training Center in the Rhine River region can be adopted and modified at the Training Institute. In Diklat institutions, it is good if they have a model of a single forestry area and its interaction with settlements and cities, for example from the Peak of Mt. Gede Pangrango along with the river flows and cities and settlements affected to the north coast of Jakarta where the Ciliwung River empties into the sea. This interactive map will be useful to influence the training / educating community both at the level of children and policy makers, on the importance of preserving forests and the environment.