Satellite Image Data as Environmental Crime Evidence in the Field of Illegal Logging

Abstract

Indonesia's forest degradation which is triggered by decades of uncontrolled deforestation has caused massive tropical forest depletion. The same situation also happened to Aceh's forest whose forest areas have been shrinking from year to year. Indication of the increase in illegal logging is both in Indonesia and especially in Aceh as if showing an indication and an academic conclusion that there is a crucial problem. Therefore, there is a need for a mechanism to create an effective legal role to at least reduce illegal logging that is increasingly prevalent in Indonesia's forests. One of the mechanisms is by using a remote sensing technology approach to monitor the occurrence of illegal logging or other criminal acts in the forest which are considered to be the cause of the loss of Aceh's forest in particular and Indonesia in general. This study aims to find out the use of remote sensing satellite technology to monitor illegal logging in Aceh and to identify the use of satellite imagery by law enforcement officials in Aceh to punish illegal logging offenders. The results showed that law enforcement officers used satellite imagery data on conditions before and after environmental damage in handling illegal logging. However, the data that emerged from LAPAN is rarely used by law enforcement officials to monitor the condition of national forests, especially those in their work areas. Lack of use of satellite data by law enforcement officials in the initial tracking to eradicate illegal logging due to their lack of initiative to prevent illegal logging, the physical condition of Leuser protected forest areas which are also close to residential areas, and external issues of areas that make wood from Aceh's forests are traded outside the region and even abroad, as well as the lack of qualifications of law enforcement officials who know the environmental issues.

The nexus between illegal trade and environmental crime

“…The International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA) is a voluntary agreement administered by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) aiming to promote the expansion and diversification of international trade in tropical timber from sustainably managed and legally harvested forests and to promote the sustainable management of tropical timber producing forests (ITTO, 2022 [34]). The agreement has no specific trade controls.…”

“…The US-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA), which entered into force in 2009 is often cited as a successful example of combatting illegal timber trade. In particular, the agreement contains a unique Annex on Forest Sector Governance, 34 which addresses the environmental and economic consequences of trade associated with illegal logging and illegal trade in wildlife. This includes detailed provisions on strengthening forest sector governance (including those aimed at better law enforcement and application of criminal and civil liability), a dedicated institutional mechanism namely "a sub-committee on forest sector governance" involving both Parties, and a public participation mechanism.…”

“…The International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA), was agreed in 2006 superseding previous agreements, and aims to promote the expansion and diversification of international trade in tropical timber from sustainably managed and legally harvested forests and to promote the sustainable management of tropical timber producing forests. It is administered by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), which is an inter-governmental organisation consisting of 75 members (37 producing countries and 38 consuming countries Its membership represents 90% of the global tropical timber trade, and more than 80% of the world's tropical forests (ITTO, 2022 [34]).…”

“…It not only covers timber as a primary resource, but it also covers timber products (e.g. consumer products such as furniture) (ITTO, 2022 [34]).…”

“…Regional IUU Fishing Regulation -OSP-08-2014 33. This included promoting the use of a "wildlife app" to inspect and verify wildlife permits and shipments, including species recognition and knowledge of laws and regulations 34. See US-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement,Annex 18.3.4.…”