Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Banda Aceh (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) has called on the Aceh provincial government to use Earth Day 2010 on April 22 as a good momentum to rehabilitate the region`s environment.
TM Zulfikar, director of Walhi`s Aceh branch, said here Wednesday Earth Day 2010 was a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join more than one billion people in 190 countries who were taking action to create a global green economy.
He said forty years after the first Earth Day, the world was now in greater peril than ever.
While climate change was the greatest challenge of our time, it also presented "an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy," he said.
He also said Earth Day 2010 could be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs.
An Earth Day Network was galvanizing millions fpeople to make personal commitments to sustainability, according to Zulfikar.
Development in Aceh, he said, should have an environmental background, because the province was located in a natural disaster volatile area.
"Natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and earthquakes frequently hit Aceh because development in the province is ignoring environmental preservation efforts," Zulfikar said.
He added that in conjunction with Earth Day 2010, the regional government should make a new breakthrough to save the environment in Aceh from forest degradation.
"From Aceh`s medium-term development plan (RPJM) we see that the local government is paying serious attention to the risk of a disaster, although its implementation in the field has yet to run optimally," Zulfikar said.
Therefore he suggested that development in Aceh adhere to environmentally-friendly concept in a bid to reduce the risk of disaster in the province.
"We are optimistic that environmental rehabilitation in Aceh as an effort to improve the local people`s welfare will be realized if the Aceh government uses Earth Day as a momentum to do so," he added.
(*)
RI`s experience in biosecurity management becomes intl reference
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
London (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s experience in managing biosecurity has become a reference of the community of international experts, First Secretary of the Indonesian Permanent Representative in Geneva Yasmi Adriansyah to ANTARA`s London correspondent Tuesday.
Indonesia`s molecular biologist from the Eikjman Institute Dr. Herawati Sudoyo was penalist in an international workshop themed "The Global Challenge of Biological Controls" at the United National Headquarters in Geneva recently, Yasmi said.
Yasmi said that Herawati, along with the United States, the UK, Germany and Argentina, gave her presentation entitled "Indonesia and the Global Challenge of Biological Controls".
Indonesia`s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, WTO and other organisations in Geneva Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani conveyed his highest appreciation for the contribution of Dr. Herawati to the international workshop.
He said it was also a recognition of the international community for the skills of Indonesian experts in biosecurity, and also served as a means of dissemination of Indonesia`s efforts and achievements in the field.
In her presentation, Dr. Herawati said that Indonesia as the biggest archipelagic country is facing complex biosecurity challenges, one of which is the management of tropical diseases, especially those influenced by genetic background of the migration of the population in the region.
Herawati also said that the management of tropical diseases in Indonesia is far from simple, and needs tight supervision and fundamental study.
In this case, science and technology are playing a very important role, especially in readiness to face pandemy. Indonesia is constantly developing bioscience amidst challenges from the spread of various infectious diseases, she said.
With the increasing birdflu cases and the building of a number of biosecurity laboratories in Indonesia, caused an increase in the awareness of the public and scientific communities of the biological risk of pathogen.
Dr. Herawati said the management of biosecurity in Indonesia is carried out in many ways.
Among other by the issuance of regulations on many relevant issues, Indonesia by way of the Indonesian Sciences Association (AIPI) is building a national Code of Conduct on biosecurity
The Code of Conduct covers a number of programs like increasing understanding, research, supervision, and other relevant polcies.(*)
London (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s experience in managing biosecurity has become a reference of the community of international experts, First Secretary of the Indonesian Permanent Representative in Geneva Yasmi Adriansyah to ANTARA`s London correspondent Tuesday.
Indonesia`s molecular biologist from the Eikjman Institute Dr. Herawati Sudoyo was penalist in an international workshop themed "The Global Challenge of Biological Controls" at the United National Headquarters in Geneva recently, Yasmi said.
Yasmi said that Herawati, along with the United States, the UK, Germany and Argentina, gave her presentation entitled "Indonesia and the Global Challenge of Biological Controls".
Indonesia`s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, WTO and other organisations in Geneva Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani conveyed his highest appreciation for the contribution of Dr. Herawati to the international workshop.
He said it was also a recognition of the international community for the skills of Indonesian experts in biosecurity, and also served as a means of dissemination of Indonesia`s efforts and achievements in the field.
In her presentation, Dr. Herawati said that Indonesia as the biggest archipelagic country is facing complex biosecurity challenges, one of which is the management of tropical diseases, especially those influenced by genetic background of the migration of the population in the region.
Herawati also said that the management of tropical diseases in Indonesia is far from simple, and needs tight supervision and fundamental study.
In this case, science and technology are playing a very important role, especially in readiness to face pandemy. Indonesia is constantly developing bioscience amidst challenges from the spread of various infectious diseases, she said.
With the increasing birdflu cases and the building of a number of biosecurity laboratories in Indonesia, caused an increase in the awareness of the public and scientific communities of the biological risk of pathogen.
Dr. Herawati said the management of biosecurity in Indonesia is carried out in many ways.
Among other by the issuance of regulations on many relevant issues, Indonesia by way of the Indonesian Sciences Association (AIPI) is building a national Code of Conduct on biosecurity
The Code of Conduct covers a number of programs like increasing understanding, research, supervision, and other relevant polcies.(*)
Fifty two million hectares of forests damaged
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Karanganyar, C Java (ANTARA News) - Fifty two million hectares of forests in Indonesia are damaged to the extent of 40 percent.
Chairman of the Lestari Forest Circle Agus Sudarto made the statement during a planting campaign in a Karanganyar square, Central Java on Tuesday.
"Let us make a success of Planting One Billion Trees," he said, adding that the forestry ministry allocated Rp 2 trillion for reforestation this year.
The planting one billion trees movement began from the Bengawan Solo, Siliwung, and Citarum river basins as these area have become seriously damaged and deforested.
"The three river basins are in a very critical condition, and unless restored to normal soon, these areas will be facing floods during the rainy season, as what had happened recently to Ciliwung and Citarum river basins," he said.
It has been decided to prioritize the restoration of the Bengawan Solo river basin, as the population living along the river flow is very dense.
The reforestation of Bengawan Solo river basin will be centered in Karanganyar by planting 2,000 highly fertile and productive seedlings, like mango, durian and others.
To support the project, Karanganyar will not only have 2,000 trees, but four million this year, Karanganyar Regent, Rina Iriani said.
Toughing on tree felling, Ria Iriani said the Karanganyar administration has stopped issuing permits for the felling of forests in the past few years, both those of state forestry company Perhutani and those owned by individuals.(*)
Karanganyar, C Java (ANTARA News) - Fifty two million hectares of forests in Indonesia are damaged to the extent of 40 percent.
Chairman of the Lestari Forest Circle Agus Sudarto made the statement during a planting campaign in a Karanganyar square, Central Java on Tuesday.
"Let us make a success of Planting One Billion Trees," he said, adding that the forestry ministry allocated Rp 2 trillion for reforestation this year.
The planting one billion trees movement began from the Bengawan Solo, Siliwung, and Citarum river basins as these area have become seriously damaged and deforested.
"The three river basins are in a very critical condition, and unless restored to normal soon, these areas will be facing floods during the rainy season, as what had happened recently to Ciliwung and Citarum river basins," he said.
It has been decided to prioritize the restoration of the Bengawan Solo river basin, as the population living along the river flow is very dense.
The reforestation of Bengawan Solo river basin will be centered in Karanganyar by planting 2,000 highly fertile and productive seedlings, like mango, durian and others.
To support the project, Karanganyar will not only have 2,000 trees, but four million this year, Karanganyar Regent, Rina Iriani said.
Toughing on tree felling, Ria Iriani said the Karanganyar administration has stopped issuing permits for the felling of forests in the past few years, both those of state forestry company Perhutani and those owned by individuals.(*)
NGO spots critically endangered birds in Ancol
Monday, April 12, 2010
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - An environmental Non-governmental Organization (NGO) has spotted some critically endangered bird species in the Ancol area, North Jakarta.
Several of the critically endangered and protected birds were found crossing the Ancol area by Jakarta Green Monster, an environmental organization, according to written information from Taman Impian Jaya Ancol Company here Monday.
The Jakarta Green Monster reported the critically endangered birds it had spotted were the Christmas Frigatebird, Javan Pond-heron, Black-crowned Night-heron, Milky Stork, Little Black Cormorant, and Cacatua Sulphurea.
These species were spotted in Putri Duyung Cottage, Dunia Fantasi amusement park, and Gelanggang Samudra.
The presence of critically endangered species was important as they were of educational value for city residents, PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol director Budi Karya said at the Biodiversity Survey and Observation event in Ancol last April 10-11, 2010.
"All this time most urbanites may not know anything about biodiversity and know little about Indonesia`s natural wealth," he said.
He also said knowledge about the country`s natural wealth was very useful for educational purposes in improving public awareness, especially the younger generation and make them help to maintain the environment and Indonesia`s biodiversity.(*)
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - An environmental Non-governmental Organization (NGO) has spotted some critically endangered bird species in the Ancol area, North Jakarta.
Several of the critically endangered and protected birds were found crossing the Ancol area by Jakarta Green Monster, an environmental organization, according to written information from Taman Impian Jaya Ancol Company here Monday.
The Jakarta Green Monster reported the critically endangered birds it had spotted were the Christmas Frigatebird, Javan Pond-heron, Black-crowned Night-heron, Milky Stork, Little Black Cormorant, and Cacatua Sulphurea.
These species were spotted in Putri Duyung Cottage, Dunia Fantasi amusement park, and Gelanggang Samudra.
The presence of critically endangered species was important as they were of educational value for city residents, PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol director Budi Karya said at the Biodiversity Survey and Observation event in Ancol last April 10-11, 2010.
"All this time most urbanites may not know anything about biodiversity and know little about Indonesia`s natural wealth," he said.
He also said knowledge about the country`s natural wealth was very useful for educational purposes in improving public awareness, especially the younger generation and make them help to maintain the environment and Indonesia`s biodiversity.(*)
2010 Earth Day celebrations in Papua, Aceh
Thursday, April 22, 2010
By Bustanuddin
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Earth Day 2010 which falls on April 22 is an important momentum for the Indonesian "7 Summit" expedition team to remind all parties about the critical problems of the earth.
The team consisting of six young mountain climbing athletes, namely Ardeshir Yaftebbi, Iwan Irawan, Martin Rimbawan, Fajri Al Luth, Nurhuda, and Gina Afriani, a medical practitioner and three advisors had decided that their first mission would be to climb the Carstenz Pyramid Peak which is locally known as Ndugu Ndugu.
The team would launch a campaign about environment issues such as the consequences of forest destruction and the threat of global warming, said Endriarto Sutarto, chairman of the Indonesian "7 Summits" Expedition Team, recently.
The expedition team left for Papua on Tuesday (April 6) to start the long process of climbing the seven highest peaks in the world.
The Carstensz Pyramid is one of the snowy mountains on the equator other than Kilimanjaro. It is the highest peak of the Jayawiwijaya mountain range.
According to Bambang Hamid, the public relations officer of the Indonesian "7 Summit" team, the team had gone through a training process because they had never before climbed the "mountain of ice", said Bambang Hamid.
The team`s trip was planned to come to an end in 2012 by climbing the world`s 7 highest mountains, namely Ndugu Ndugu (Papua), Kilimanjaro (Africa), Elbrus (Europe), the Vinson Massive (Antarctic), Denali (US), Aconcagua (South America), and Everest (Tibet).
Bambang said the "7 Summits" expedition was a great one, involving many parties, so it needed moral and material support.
"This expedition requires support from the various components of the nation to achieve its goal," he said.
The "7 Summits" expedition was the brainchild of the community of nature lovers, mountaineers and explorers set of jungle "Wanadri" house of culture and community of the archipelago.
He also said Earth Day 2010 could be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs.
The team originating from the Wanadri mountaineers, comprising the Alpha team and the Bravo team.
The Alpha team will spend the night at Nggapulu, an altitude of 4,700m above sea level, on Thursday (April 22), said Andri Joanhan, secretary of the team on Wednesday.
A day earlier, Iwan Abdulrachman, an environmental activist who participated in the expedition, held a concert at Lake Valley.
"It`s called a concert even though the audience was only the climbers on the mountain," Andri commented.
The Six other peaks which will be climbed in one year`s time are Kilimanjoro (5892m) in Tanzania, Elbrus (5642m) in Russia, Vinson Massif (4897m) in the Antarctic, McKinley (6194m) in Alaska, Aconcagua (6962m) in Argentina, and the last Everest (8850m) in Nepal.
In addition, the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) has called on the Aceh provincial government to use Earth Day 2010 on April 22 as a good momentum to rehabilitate the region`s environment.
TM Zulfikar, director of Walhi`s Aceh branch, said in Banda Aceh on Wednesday that Earth Day 2010 was a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join more than one billion people in 190 countries in taking action to create a global green economy.
He said forty years after the first Earth Day, the world was now in greater peril than ever.
While climate change was the greatest challenge of our time, it also presented "an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy," he said.
He also said Earth Day 2010 could be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs.
An Earth Day Network was galvanizing millions of people to make personal commitments to sustainability, according to Zulfikar.
Development in Aceh, he said, should have an environmental background, because the province was located in a natural disaster volatile area.
"Natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and earthquakes frequently hit Aceh because development in the province is ignoring environmental preservation efforts," Zulfikar said.
He added that in conjunction with Earth Day 2010, the regional government should make a new breakthrough to save the environment in Aceh from forest degradation.
"From Aceh`s medium-term development plan (RPJM) we see that the local government is paying serious attention to the risk of a disaster, although its implementation in the field has yet to run optimally," Zulfikar said.
Therefore he suggested that development in Aceh adhere to environmentally-friendly concept in a bid to reduce the risk of disaster in the province.
(*)
By Bustanuddin
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Earth Day 2010 which falls on April 22 is an important momentum for the Indonesian "7 Summit" expedition team to remind all parties about the critical problems of the earth.
The team consisting of six young mountain climbing athletes, namely Ardeshir Yaftebbi, Iwan Irawan, Martin Rimbawan, Fajri Al Luth, Nurhuda, and Gina Afriani, a medical practitioner and three advisors had decided that their first mission would be to climb the Carstenz Pyramid Peak which is locally known as Ndugu Ndugu.
The team would launch a campaign about environment issues such as the consequences of forest destruction and the threat of global warming, said Endriarto Sutarto, chairman of the Indonesian "7 Summits" Expedition Team, recently.
The expedition team left for Papua on Tuesday (April 6) to start the long process of climbing the seven highest peaks in the world.
The Carstensz Pyramid is one of the snowy mountains on the equator other than Kilimanjaro. It is the highest peak of the Jayawiwijaya mountain range.
According to Bambang Hamid, the public relations officer of the Indonesian "7 Summit" team, the team had gone through a training process because they had never before climbed the "mountain of ice", said Bambang Hamid.
The team`s trip was planned to come to an end in 2012 by climbing the world`s 7 highest mountains, namely Ndugu Ndugu (Papua), Kilimanjaro (Africa), Elbrus (Europe), the Vinson Massive (Antarctic), Denali (US), Aconcagua (South America), and Everest (Tibet).
Bambang said the "7 Summits" expedition was a great one, involving many parties, so it needed moral and material support.
"This expedition requires support from the various components of the nation to achieve its goal," he said.
The "7 Summits" expedition was the brainchild of the community of nature lovers, mountaineers and explorers set of jungle "Wanadri" house of culture and community of the archipelago.
He also said Earth Day 2010 could be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs.
The team originating from the Wanadri mountaineers, comprising the Alpha team and the Bravo team.
The Alpha team will spend the night at Nggapulu, an altitude of 4,700m above sea level, on Thursday (April 22), said Andri Joanhan, secretary of the team on Wednesday.
A day earlier, Iwan Abdulrachman, an environmental activist who participated in the expedition, held a concert at Lake Valley.
"It`s called a concert even though the audience was only the climbers on the mountain," Andri commented.
The Six other peaks which will be climbed in one year`s time are Kilimanjoro (5892m) in Tanzania, Elbrus (5642m) in Russia, Vinson Massif (4897m) in the Antarctic, McKinley (6194m) in Alaska, Aconcagua (6962m) in Argentina, and the last Everest (8850m) in Nepal.
In addition, the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) has called on the Aceh provincial government to use Earth Day 2010 on April 22 as a good momentum to rehabilitate the region`s environment.
TM Zulfikar, director of Walhi`s Aceh branch, said in Banda Aceh on Wednesday that Earth Day 2010 was a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join more than one billion people in 190 countries in taking action to create a global green economy.
He said forty years after the first Earth Day, the world was now in greater peril than ever.
While climate change was the greatest challenge of our time, it also presented "an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy," he said.
He also said Earth Day 2010 could be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs.
An Earth Day Network was galvanizing millions of people to make personal commitments to sustainability, according to Zulfikar.
Development in Aceh, he said, should have an environmental background, because the province was located in a natural disaster volatile area.
"Natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and earthquakes frequently hit Aceh because development in the province is ignoring environmental preservation efforts," Zulfikar said.
He added that in conjunction with Earth Day 2010, the regional government should make a new breakthrough to save the environment in Aceh from forest degradation.
"From Aceh`s medium-term development plan (RPJM) we see that the local government is paying serious attention to the risk of a disaster, although its implementation in the field has yet to run optimally," Zulfikar said.
Therefore he suggested that development in Aceh adhere to environmentally-friendly concept in a bid to reduce the risk of disaster in the province.
(*)
National park to release Javanese lemurs into wild
Monday, April 12, 2010
Bogor, W Java, April 12 (ANTARA) - Some 20 Javanese Lemurs (Nycticebus Javanicus) are to be released into the wild by the Halimun Mountain National Park in cooperation with International Animal Rescue (IAR).
"Their release is intended to return the animals to their natural habitats, and at the same time to observe the primate`s habits to devise a strategy to promote their breeding, " said Halimun Mountain National Park chief Bambang Supriyanto here Monday.
Bambang said the event would be conducted on Wednesday (Apr 14) in Ciapus, Bogor, West Java.
To monitor the primate`s activity, all the 20 lemurs would be equipped with six collar radio transmitters. The monitoring would be done over a six-month period by an expert from IAR, Dr. Richard Moore.
The research on the Lemurs would focus on their breeding habits and life cycle to obtain a scientific understanding of the primate`s role in the wild.
"This understanding will help to maintain their population. The effort is very important to prevent them from becoming extinct by human activity such as hunting and illegal trading," Bambang said.
Indonesia IAR director Darma said the Javanese Lemurs that are endemic in Java Island are a species that help the continuity of the ecosystem of forests.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Javanese Lemurs are a rare species mentioned in appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora.
The Lemur population in Java island is believed to be dropping by 10-15 percent annually and the 20 lemurs to be released into the wild were obtained from illegal trading in East Java and had been rehabilitated by IAR Indonesia, he said.
Very little research has so far been done on the nocturnal primate in its habitat because of their arboreal characteristic.(*)
Bogor, W Java, April 12 (ANTARA) - Some 20 Javanese Lemurs (Nycticebus Javanicus) are to be released into the wild by the Halimun Mountain National Park in cooperation with International Animal Rescue (IAR).
"Their release is intended to return the animals to their natural habitats, and at the same time to observe the primate`s habits to devise a strategy to promote their breeding, " said Halimun Mountain National Park chief Bambang Supriyanto here Monday.
Bambang said the event would be conducted on Wednesday (Apr 14) in Ciapus, Bogor, West Java.
To monitor the primate`s activity, all the 20 lemurs would be equipped with six collar radio transmitters. The monitoring would be done over a six-month period by an expert from IAR, Dr. Richard Moore.
The research on the Lemurs would focus on their breeding habits and life cycle to obtain a scientific understanding of the primate`s role in the wild.
"This understanding will help to maintain their population. The effort is very important to prevent them from becoming extinct by human activity such as hunting and illegal trading," Bambang said.
Indonesia IAR director Darma said the Javanese Lemurs that are endemic in Java Island are a species that help the continuity of the ecosystem of forests.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Javanese Lemurs are a rare species mentioned in appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora.
The Lemur population in Java island is believed to be dropping by 10-15 percent annually and the 20 lemurs to be released into the wild were obtained from illegal trading in East Java and had been rehabilitated by IAR Indonesia, he said.
Very little research has so far been done on the nocturnal primate in its habitat because of their arboreal characteristic.(*)
Bengkulu closed to new plantations
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Bengkulu (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) said Bengkulu province was now closed to new big-scale plantations because there was no longer land space available.
"Bengkulu province, with 1.9 million hectares of land, 900 thousand hectares of forest and a population number of 1.7 million, is now running short of land spaces," Walhi`s campaign affairs coordinator for Bengkulu, Firmansyah said here over the weekend.
Firmansyah said that with a population of 1.7 million, Bengkulu could not share one hectare for each of its people. This condition makes Bengkulu unable to open more land for new big plantations if it does not want to remove its own locals.
However, the local government of Kaur district is planning to provide 14,400 hectares to a new oil palm plantation company, PT Desaria Plantation Mining.
"This is threatening the existence of the locals in eight subdistricts of Kaur district," Firmansyah said.(*)
Bengkulu (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) said Bengkulu province was now closed to new big-scale plantations because there was no longer land space available.
"Bengkulu province, with 1.9 million hectares of land, 900 thousand hectares of forest and a population number of 1.7 million, is now running short of land spaces," Walhi`s campaign affairs coordinator for Bengkulu, Firmansyah said here over the weekend.
Firmansyah said that with a population of 1.7 million, Bengkulu could not share one hectare for each of its people. This condition makes Bengkulu unable to open more land for new big plantations if it does not want to remove its own locals.
However, the local government of Kaur district is planning to provide 14,400 hectares to a new oil palm plantation company, PT Desaria Plantation Mining.
"This is threatening the existence of the locals in eight subdistricts of Kaur district," Firmansyah said.(*)
RI lauds Germany for helping save Sumatra forests
Sunday, March 28, 2010
London (ANTARA News) - Indonesia has lauded Germany for its support to help save and protect the tropical rain forests in Sumatra.
Indonesian Ambassador to Germany Eddy Pratomo made the remark at a meeting with officials of the German Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), the German Development Bank (KfW) and the President of the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) recently.
The embassy`s socio-cultural counsellor, Agus Priono said in a press statement issued on Sunday the meeting was a follow up to the launch of German grant worth 7.5 million euros for the Harapan Rainforest project in Jambi and South Sumatra provinces.
The grant is part of the International Climate Initiative (ICI) program launched by BMU, he said.
The grant was channeled through KfW to the non-for-profit foundation Yayasan Konservasi Ekosistem Hutan Indonesia (KEHI) as the project`s implementing agency in association with the Forestry Ministry.
The ambassador said forest protection and conservation efforts were high on the list of the Indonesian government`s priorities. Therefore, Indonesia warmly welcomed the stakeholders` active participation in carrying out the Harapan Rainforest project as a manifestation of their efforts to conserve tropical rain forests in Sumatra.
So far, six cooperation projects carried out by the Indonesian government and the German ministry under the ICI scheme had been running well, including the development of biodiversity-based sustainable tourism at Pangandaran in Kalimantan, preparatory measures for avoided deforestation, coral triangle initiative and carbon-financed forest management.
(T.S012/P003)
London (ANTARA News) - Indonesia has lauded Germany for its support to help save and protect the tropical rain forests in Sumatra.
Indonesian Ambassador to Germany Eddy Pratomo made the remark at a meeting with officials of the German Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), the German Development Bank (KfW) and the President of the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) recently.
The embassy`s socio-cultural counsellor, Agus Priono said in a press statement issued on Sunday the meeting was a follow up to the launch of German grant worth 7.5 million euros for the Harapan Rainforest project in Jambi and South Sumatra provinces.
The grant is part of the International Climate Initiative (ICI) program launched by BMU, he said.
The grant was channeled through KfW to the non-for-profit foundation Yayasan Konservasi Ekosistem Hutan Indonesia (KEHI) as the project`s implementing agency in association with the Forestry Ministry.
The ambassador said forest protection and conservation efforts were high on the list of the Indonesian government`s priorities. Therefore, Indonesia warmly welcomed the stakeholders` active participation in carrying out the Harapan Rainforest project as a manifestation of their efforts to conserve tropical rain forests in Sumatra.
So far, six cooperation projects carried out by the Indonesian government and the German ministry under the ICI scheme had been running well, including the development of biodiversity-based sustainable tourism at Pangandaran in Kalimantan, preparatory measures for avoided deforestation, coral triangle initiative and carbon-financed forest management.
(T.S012/P003)
Tiger kills fisherman
Monday, March 22, 2010
Jambi (ANTARA News) - A Sumatran tiger (panthera tigris Sumatrae) in Jambi attacked and killed Darmilus (25), of Sponjen village, Kumpeh Ilir subdistrict, Muarojambi regency, Jambi province, in the small hours of Monday.
The victim was fishing in the outskirts of the forest, when the tiger attacked him. This was the second tiger attack this month, Sponjen village head Juhrianto said Monday.
The other villagers who saw the tiger attacking Darmilus ran away while screaming, which had scared the tiger which then disappeared into the forest leaving his dead prey.
After the tiger had gone, an hour later the villagers came back and brought the victim`s dead body to his home, and buried him at a local cemetery.(*)
Jambi (ANTARA News) - A Sumatran tiger (panthera tigris Sumatrae) in Jambi attacked and killed Darmilus (25), of Sponjen village, Kumpeh Ilir subdistrict, Muarojambi regency, Jambi province, in the small hours of Monday.
The victim was fishing in the outskirts of the forest, when the tiger attacked him. This was the second tiger attack this month, Sponjen village head Juhrianto said Monday.
The other villagers who saw the tiger attacking Darmilus ran away while screaming, which had scared the tiger which then disappeared into the forest leaving his dead prey.
After the tiger had gone, an hour later the villagers came back and brought the victim`s dead body to his home, and buried him at a local cemetery.(*)
"One billion Indonesian trees for world` launched
Monday, March 22, 2010
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government has launched a more massive tree planting program called "One Billion Indonesian Trees for the World", according to the forestry ministry.
The new program was kicked off following successes in previous programs such as `Indonesian Contemporaneously Planting Action` (2007 and 2008), `Women`s Movement of Tree Planting and Caring` (2007), `Indonesian Tree Planting Day launching` and `the National Planting Month (2008)`, and `One Man One Tree`, the forestry ministry said in a statement received by ANTARA here on Monday.
The government has allocated a DIPA BA budget for procurement of 36 million seedlings this year and hopes to get 300 million more from the private sector, state companies, NGOs, regional governments and other donors.
Additional 320 million seedlings are expected to be received from Community and Rural Forest program, 300 million from Forest and River Basin Rehabilitation program, and 50 million from People`s Forest Partnership program.
The "One Billion Indonesian Trees for the World" program is also aimed at improving the welfare of the people especially those living near forest areas, according to the forestry ministry.
The ministry urged the Indonesian people to participate in the program.
"In the next five to 10 years, the Indonesian people will enjoy the beauty of a green Indonesia with prosperous and disaster-free people," the statement said.(*)
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government has launched a more massive tree planting program called "One Billion Indonesian Trees for the World", according to the forestry ministry.
The new program was kicked off following successes in previous programs such as `Indonesian Contemporaneously Planting Action` (2007 and 2008), `Women`s Movement of Tree Planting and Caring` (2007), `Indonesian Tree Planting Day launching` and `the National Planting Month (2008)`, and `One Man One Tree`, the forestry ministry said in a statement received by ANTARA here on Monday.
The government has allocated a DIPA BA budget for procurement of 36 million seedlings this year and hopes to get 300 million more from the private sector, state companies, NGOs, regional governments and other donors.
Additional 320 million seedlings are expected to be received from Community and Rural Forest program, 300 million from Forest and River Basin Rehabilitation program, and 50 million from People`s Forest Partnership program.
The "One Billion Indonesian Trees for the World" program is also aimed at improving the welfare of the people especially those living near forest areas, according to the forestry ministry.
The ministry urged the Indonesian people to participate in the program.
"In the next five to 10 years, the Indonesian people will enjoy the beauty of a green Indonesia with prosperous and disaster-free people," the statement said.(*)
70 percent of mangrove forests in Pohuwato damaged
Monday, March 22, 2010
Gorontalo (ANTARA News) - Some 70 percent of the total 25,688 hectares of mangrove forest in Pohuwato district, Gorontalo, were damaged, a source of the local community said.
"The opening of fish ponds in Pohuwato has contributed to the damage of mangrove forests in he area," Iwan Abbay, chairman of the local community concerned about the condition of the mangrove forests area, said here on Monday.
Iwan said Pohuwato district were used to own a large scale of mangrove area. In fact, Pohuwato was claimed as the biggest buffer zone for Tomini bay area which includes Gorontalo province and half part of North Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi provinces respectively.
According to data from local managing board for river basins s (DAS) in 2007, of the total 25,688 hectares of mangrove forests in Pohuwato district, 14,017 hectares were heavily damaged and 7,546 hectares slightly damaged. Only 4,123 hectares of the mangrove forests are still on good condition.
Mangrove forests protect coastal areas against erosion, storms (hurricanes), and the tsunamis. The mangrove`s massive root system is efficient at dissipating wave energy. Likewise, they slow down tidal waves so that sediment is deposited as the tide comes in, leaving all except fine particles during low tide.
In this way, mangrove crops build their own environment. Because of the uniqueness of mangrove ecosystems and the protection against erosion that they provide, they are often the object of conservation programs including national Biodiversity Action Plans.
(*)
(T.SYS/B/A051/B/O001) 22-03-2010 12:22:18
Gorontalo (ANTARA News) - Some 70 percent of the total 25,688 hectares of mangrove forest in Pohuwato district, Gorontalo, were damaged, a source of the local community said.
"The opening of fish ponds in Pohuwato has contributed to the damage of mangrove forests in he area," Iwan Abbay, chairman of the local community concerned about the condition of the mangrove forests area, said here on Monday.
Iwan said Pohuwato district were used to own a large scale of mangrove area. In fact, Pohuwato was claimed as the biggest buffer zone for Tomini bay area which includes Gorontalo province and half part of North Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi provinces respectively.
According to data from local managing board for river basins s (DAS) in 2007, of the total 25,688 hectares of mangrove forests in Pohuwato district, 14,017 hectares were heavily damaged and 7,546 hectares slightly damaged. Only 4,123 hectares of the mangrove forests are still on good condition.
Mangrove forests protect coastal areas against erosion, storms (hurricanes), and the tsunamis. The mangrove`s massive root system is efficient at dissipating wave energy. Likewise, they slow down tidal waves so that sediment is deposited as the tide comes in, leaving all except fine particles during low tide.
In this way, mangrove crops build their own environment. Because of the uniqueness of mangrove ecosystems and the protection against erosion that they provide, they are often the object of conservation programs including national Biodiversity Action Plans.
(*)
(T.SYS/B/A051/B/O001) 22-03-2010 12:22:18
RI oil palm farmers ready to boycott Nestle products
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Medan, N Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Oil palm planters in 20 Indonesian provinces are ready to boycott Nestle products if the foreign company really stops buying crude palm oil (CPO) from national producers, a spokesman said.
"About 10 million oil palm farmers spread in 20 Indonesian provinces have stated their readiness to boycott Nestle products. Apkasindo (Association of Indonesian Oil Palm Farmers) is now preparing to draw up a list of Nestle products in the market," Apkasindo Secretary General Asmar Arsjad said here Saturday.
He said Apkasindo had so far only obtained oral statements of readiness from its regional chapters in the country but the association`s central executive board would on Monday (March 22) officially send letters to them to ask for their support for and participation in the boycott of Nestle products.
The boycott was meant to respond to Nestle`s decision to terminate its CPO purchasing contract with PT Sinar Mas which would have a devastating impact on the livelihood of Indonesian oil palm farmers, he said.
Nestle had reportedly decided to stop buying CPO from Indonesian producers as oil palm cultivation in the country was considered to be harming the environment.
Meanwhile, Laksamana Adiyaksa, treasurer of the North Sumatra chapter of the Indonesian Oil Palm Entrepreneurs Association (Gapki), said the oil palm planters` boycott threat "should be reacted to wisely by all stakeholders."
"It does not mean that we are afraid or very concerned about the threat but it should be discussed in a business-like way," he said.
The government should also be involved as a mediator in solving the problem caused by Nestle`s boycott of Indonesian CPO which had not happened for the first time, he said.
He said Indonesian CPO producers were increasingly paying attention to the environemntal aspects of their production processes under the Roundtable Sustainable on Palm Oil (RSPO) system."Nestle should not have acted unilaterally," he said.
Earlier, Irfan Mutyara, chairman of the North Sumatra chapter of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) had said Indonesia was one of the world`s major CPO producers and exporters and thus, if Nestle stopped buying Indonesian CPO, there would be other buyers.
"If a buyer boycotts a product, the producer can do likewise against the buyer`s product and ask domestic consumers to follow suit," he said. (*)
Medan, N Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Oil palm planters in 20 Indonesian provinces are ready to boycott Nestle products if the foreign company really stops buying crude palm oil (CPO) from national producers, a spokesman said.
"About 10 million oil palm farmers spread in 20 Indonesian provinces have stated their readiness to boycott Nestle products. Apkasindo (Association of Indonesian Oil Palm Farmers) is now preparing to draw up a list of Nestle products in the market," Apkasindo Secretary General Asmar Arsjad said here Saturday.
He said Apkasindo had so far only obtained oral statements of readiness from its regional chapters in the country but the association`s central executive board would on Monday (March 22) officially send letters to them to ask for their support for and participation in the boycott of Nestle products.
The boycott was meant to respond to Nestle`s decision to terminate its CPO purchasing contract with PT Sinar Mas which would have a devastating impact on the livelihood of Indonesian oil palm farmers, he said.
Nestle had reportedly decided to stop buying CPO from Indonesian producers as oil palm cultivation in the country was considered to be harming the environment.
Meanwhile, Laksamana Adiyaksa, treasurer of the North Sumatra chapter of the Indonesian Oil Palm Entrepreneurs Association (Gapki), said the oil palm planters` boycott threat "should be reacted to wisely by all stakeholders."
"It does not mean that we are afraid or very concerned about the threat but it should be discussed in a business-like way," he said.
The government should also be involved as a mediator in solving the problem caused by Nestle`s boycott of Indonesian CPO which had not happened for the first time, he said.
He said Indonesian CPO producers were increasingly paying attention to the environemntal aspects of their production processes under the Roundtable Sustainable on Palm Oil (RSPO) system."Nestle should not have acted unilaterally," he said.
Earlier, Irfan Mutyara, chairman of the North Sumatra chapter of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) had said Indonesia was one of the world`s major CPO producers and exporters and thus, if Nestle stopped buying Indonesian CPO, there would be other buyers.
"If a buyer boycotts a product, the producer can do likewise against the buyer`s product and ask domestic consumers to follow suit," he said. (*)
Greenpeace demands immediate end to forest destruction
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Greenpeace activists scaled the Ministry of Forestry building in South Jakarta and unfurled a giant banner reading "Plantations are not forests".
Greenpeace feared that the inclusion of `plantations in the definition of forests, would lead to massive concealment of the ongoing emissions from peatland and forest destruction that has made Indonesia the world`s third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, according to information on the Greeanpeace Southeast Asia`s official website, Saturday.
Greenpeace, along with a number of environmental and civil society organizations, have condemned the Indonesian government`s attempts to classify `plantations as forests while allowing continued destruction of critical habitats like peatland forests and the last remaining biodiversity hotspots.
Further, the rising demand of crude palm oil (CPO) for biofuels in the international market has triggered the expansion of the palm oil concessions. The move by the ministry may well augur further destruction of forests to allow more plantations camouflaged as forests, Greenpeace said in its press statement.
"Minister Zulkifli Hasan must immediately withdraw all plans to categorise plantations as forests and shift his focus towards protection of Indonesia`s forests , its biodiversity and the millions of forest dependent communities who rely on them for their livelihood and for future generations.
If this plan is approved, massive forest destruction will follow and Minister Zulkifli will be responsible for Indonesia failing to meet President Yudhoyono`s emission reductions commitment," said Joko Arif, Greenpeace Southeast Asia Forest Campaigner.
Currently Indonesia has one of the fastest rates of forest destruction in the world and is the third largest contributor to climate change globally.
President Yudhoyono made his commitment to cut Indonesia`s emissions by 26% in 2020 and by 41 percent with international support in September last year. But so far no real action has been taken to fulfill this commitment. The government stands by as palm oil and paper giants like Sinar Mas and APRIL continue with their destructive business as usual.
"The international will and funding to protect Indonesia`s forests is there. It is therefore contradictory for Indonesia to promote further plantations at the expense of forests. This funding should not be used for the conversion of forests into plantations, or the promotion of palm oil based biofuels.
If the government is serious about cutting emissions and about taking action to avert the catastrophic impacts of climate change, the most effective step they need to take is to declare a moratorium on forests destruction, and full peatland protection" Joko said.
Indonesian NGOs, including Greenpeace, Walhi, Forest Watch and Sawit Watch have also written to the Forestry Minister and the EU Ambassador to Indonesia to warn them of the consequences of their misguided policies, the statement said.
(T.F001/S026)
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Greenpeace activists scaled the Ministry of Forestry building in South Jakarta and unfurled a giant banner reading "Plantations are not forests".
Greenpeace feared that the inclusion of `plantations in the definition of forests, would lead to massive concealment of the ongoing emissions from peatland and forest destruction that has made Indonesia the world`s third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, according to information on the Greeanpeace Southeast Asia`s official website, Saturday.
Greenpeace, along with a number of environmental and civil society organizations, have condemned the Indonesian government`s attempts to classify `plantations as forests while allowing continued destruction of critical habitats like peatland forests and the last remaining biodiversity hotspots.
Further, the rising demand of crude palm oil (CPO) for biofuels in the international market has triggered the expansion of the palm oil concessions. The move by the ministry may well augur further destruction of forests to allow more plantations camouflaged as forests, Greenpeace said in its press statement.
"Minister Zulkifli Hasan must immediately withdraw all plans to categorise plantations as forests and shift his focus towards protection of Indonesia`s forests , its biodiversity and the millions of forest dependent communities who rely on them for their livelihood and for future generations.
If this plan is approved, massive forest destruction will follow and Minister Zulkifli will be responsible for Indonesia failing to meet President Yudhoyono`s emission reductions commitment," said Joko Arif, Greenpeace Southeast Asia Forest Campaigner.
Currently Indonesia has one of the fastest rates of forest destruction in the world and is the third largest contributor to climate change globally.
President Yudhoyono made his commitment to cut Indonesia`s emissions by 26% in 2020 and by 41 percent with international support in September last year. But so far no real action has been taken to fulfill this commitment. The government stands by as palm oil and paper giants like Sinar Mas and APRIL continue with their destructive business as usual.
"The international will and funding to protect Indonesia`s forests is there. It is therefore contradictory for Indonesia to promote further plantations at the expense of forests. This funding should not be used for the conversion of forests into plantations, or the promotion of palm oil based biofuels.
If the government is serious about cutting emissions and about taking action to avert the catastrophic impacts of climate change, the most effective step they need to take is to declare a moratorium on forests destruction, and full peatland protection" Joko said.
Indonesian NGOs, including Greenpeace, Walhi, Forest Watch and Sawit Watch have also written to the Forestry Minister and the EU Ambassador to Indonesia to warn them of the consequences of their misguided policies, the statement said.
(T.F001/S026)
Elephants destroy houses in Riau
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Bengkalis, Riau (ANTARA News) - A number of wild elephants destroyed three houses in Petani village, Mandau sub-district, Bengkalis, on Thursday and Friday, local risidents said.
But there were no fatalities in the wild elephants` attacks as the house tenants could escape in time, Poiman, 45, told ANTARA here Saturday.
"We (local residents) have agreed to drive the wild elephants out of the village," he said.
Over the past week, the herbivorous animals have been entering the Petani village area -- home of more than 200 families.
On Friday night, the wild elephants destroyed the villagers` crops and two houses, he said.
The villagers had tried to drive them out by turning on lanterns, burning used tires and firing bamboo canons but failed to expel them.
Instead the animals approached the people, causing them to get panic and run away.
According to another villager, Sonia, 43, the elephants had also damaged crops on five hectares of the locals` farm land and a house on Thursday.
Patris, whose house was seriously damaged by the wild elephants, said the people`s safety was at stake so that 11 families had taken refuge in safer places.
Some of the displaced families moved to their relatives` houses, which were far away from their village, the 40-year-old Patris said.
Besides destroying three houses, the wild elephants also caused minor damage to at least 20 other houses. (*)
COPYRIGHT © 2010
Bengkalis, Riau (ANTARA News) - A number of wild elephants destroyed three houses in Petani village, Mandau sub-district, Bengkalis, on Thursday and Friday, local risidents said.
But there were no fatalities in the wild elephants` attacks as the house tenants could escape in time, Poiman, 45, told ANTARA here Saturday.
"We (local residents) have agreed to drive the wild elephants out of the village," he said.
Over the past week, the herbivorous animals have been entering the Petani village area -- home of more than 200 families.
On Friday night, the wild elephants destroyed the villagers` crops and two houses, he said.
The villagers had tried to drive them out by turning on lanterns, burning used tires and firing bamboo canons but failed to expel them.
Instead the animals approached the people, causing them to get panic and run away.
According to another villager, Sonia, 43, the elephants had also damaged crops on five hectares of the locals` farm land and a house on Thursday.
Patris, whose house was seriously damaged by the wild elephants, said the people`s safety was at stake so that 11 families had taken refuge in safer places.
Some of the displaced families moved to their relatives` houses, which were far away from their village, the 40-year-old Patris said.
Besides destroying three houses, the wild elephants also caused minor damage to at least 20 other houses. (*)
COPYRIGHT © 2010
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