Action needed in forest fires<\/p>\n
From Kompas<\/p>\n
It is really tiring to hear reports on forest fires in our
\ncountry. Why? The way things happened it seemed as if the
\ngovernment failed to take any immediate action.<\/p>\n
About 15 years ago people enthusiastically talked about the
\nbeauty of our motherland and its natural wealth.<\/p>\n
The government was then issuing a lot of forest concessions.
\nHowever, many of those who have enjoyed the profit from the
\nconcessions may now be simply sitting back sipping their hot tea
\nin an air-conditioned room.<\/p>\n
The government, meanwhile, knows well that forest
\nconcessionaires are in fact responsible for these forest fires.
\nSo why doesn't the government take action against them?<\/p>\n
We need concrete action, not mere news. If indeed the
\ngovernment thinks that certain forest concessions must be
\nrevoked, please do so.<\/p>\n
We should actually be ashamed. Why? Because it is only now
\nthat we have been put to shame by our neighboring countries whose
\ncynicism has been couched in their remarks that we are not
\ncapable of handling the forest fires because we do not have the
\nfunds.<\/p>\n
The government issues forest concessions and enjoys the
\nproceeds. Logically parties who directly or indirectly enjoy
\nforest produce must spend either money or energy to help manage
\nforest fires.<\/p>\n
Not all community members benefit from forest produce. We are
\nready to contribute our energy and ideas, not money. But those
\nwho have helped make the government's forestry program a success
\nand are still enjoying a profit should donate funds to save our
\nforests without hoping for any reward.<\/p>\n
Just by chopping down one big tree in a forest, 10 to 15
\nspecies of trees will die in a 50-meter radius, 5 to 10 species
\nof animals will either die or lose their original habitat and
\nvarious microbiological species will die along with the big tree.<\/p>\n
Imagine what happens when 100 big trees are felled. How many
\nother plant and animal species will die along with them?<\/p>\n
The losses are very big and will become even bigger if the
\npresent forest fires are included. It turns out that the losses
\nwe sustain are greater than the profits we enjoy from forest
\nproduce.<\/p>\n
It is basically true that our forestry program is launched for
\nthe sake of stable economic growth. However, it will be of no use
\nif the benefit is transient as our forests will shortly exist
\nonly in our memory.<\/p>\n
Then there will be nothing else left to prove the lyrics of a
\nsong sang by pop singer Harvey: "My land is rich and prosperous;
\nits panorama beautiful."<\/p>\n
HARRY SOES K.<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/action-needed-in-forest-fires-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }