Thursday, 19 November 2009

Government to Involve Industry, Environmental Groups to Restore Forest


Government to Involve Industry, Environmental Groups to Restore Forest

Wednesday, 18 November, 2009 | 18:32 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Forestry Department said the government is planning to restore about two million hectares of abandoned or destroyed forest areas within the next five years, by involving biggest private carbon emitters like the automotive industry and cigarette producers.

Minister Zulkifli Hasan said on Wednesday his department does not have enough sources to fund the program and will involve coorporations and environment groups. “If we ask for money they probably would not believe, but (in this program) we will invite them to get involved in restoring the forest. They could name the forest Toyota Forest, Sampoerna Forest for instance.”

One of the running forest rehabilitation program was the one in Jambi and South Sumatra managed by a bird protection group, while the upcoming program which will cover about 10,000 hectares in kalimantan will be managed by orangutan protection group.

The Forestry Department said of 301 forest concession areas about 104 were abandoned for expired license or inactive due to ongoing negotiation with the government.

http://www.tempointeractive.com/hg/nasional/2009/11/18/brk,20091118-209134,uk.html