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Forestry Engineer Jan Koster and Native Forests in Chile: An Untapped Potential
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- The 33rd edition of "Conversando con la Acoforag" highlights the importance of sustainable management of Chile's native forests and their productive potential.
In the recent episode of the program "Conversando con la Acoforag," forestry engineer Jan Koster shared his perspective on the current state and productive potential of native forests in Chile. With over 14 million hectares of native forest, representing a quarter of the country's land area, Chile is uniquely positioned to lead in conservation and sustainable use of its forest resources. Despite the fact that native forest area is increasing—unlike in other countries such as Brazil—Koster points out that it is not being properly managed, leading to significant degradation.
According to Koster, one-third of these hectares have productive potential that could be sustainably exploited for timber, firewood, and other forest products without harming the ecosystem. This utilization could match or even surpass the country's forestry GDP, significantly contributing to the national economy with a renewable resource.
However, Law 20.283 on native forests, which aims to protect and promote forest production, faces implementation challenges. CONAF, the agency responsible for administering the law, has been criticized for failing to adequately fulfill its role, creating obstacles for landowners seeking to manage their forests productively and sustainably.
The conversation with Koster underscores the need for better administration and policies that listen to landowners and promote responsible use of native forests, preserving their biodiversity while contributing to the country's economic development.
The interview is available on Acoforag's YouTube channel:
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