The International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) has backed a new initiative that uses Wikipedia to expand public access to science-based information on reduced-impact logging (RIL), highlighting its role in sustainable forest management. RIL refers to the selective harvesting of natural forests by trained workers operating under detailed management plans. The approach is designed to minimise environmental damage, reduce risks to forestry workers, and preserve forest ecosystems for long-term use.
The initiative outlines how RIL emerged in response to unsustainable mechanised logging and includes a set of recommended low-impact practices adapted to different tropical regions. It also examines the ecological and economic benefits of RIL, including improved biodiversity, enhanced carbon sequestration, and operational efficiencies for timber producers.
Countries such as Gabon, Guyana, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Republic of the Congo have adopted RIL to varying degrees. However, ITTO says economic constraints, weak enforcement, and the persistence of conventional logging norms hinder broader implementation.
Several organisations have contributed to the development and promotion of RIL, including ITTO, the Association Technique Internationale des Bois Tropicaux (ATIBT), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), and the Tropical Forest Foundation (TFF).
“Harvesting logs remains a sensitive and often misunderstood issue,” said ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru. “That’s why ITTO is committed to sharing science-based information on sustainable logging practices. We work hand in hand with our partners to broaden outreach and foster informed public dialogue and best practice.”
As it stands, the ITTO has more than 30 years of experience in field-based forestry initiatives and has supported over 1,300 projects focused on forest restoration, wood-use efficiency, market transparency, forest law enforcement, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. The organisation’s membership accounts for roughly 90 per cent of the global tropical timber trade and more than 80 per cent of the world’s tropical forests.
