Community forest development called for<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Experts called on Monday for the development of
\na community forestry structure within the regional autonomy
\nframework, comprising local communities, the government and the
\nforestry authorities, for the purpose of managing the country's
\nsome 142 million hectares of forest.<\/p>\n
\"Everyday there is massive forest destruction, which is
\nestimated to reach an average of 1.3 million hectares per year,\"
\nMiranty Abidin of the Tropika Alam Institute told journalists on
\nthe sidelines of a forestry seminar here.<\/p>\n
\"In this era of decentralization, if local administrations are
\nnot careful ... those forests will end up being mismanaged and we
\nwill lose them for sure,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Political observer Andi Mallarangeng further said that
\ncentralized forestry management had led to the destruction of
\nnatural resources over the past few decades.<\/p>\n
\"In the previous era, all contracts for forest concessions and
\nall the rulings on the matter were decided by the central
\ngovernment.\"<\/p>\n
\"There was almost zero participation by the local people in
\nthe matter. Forests were exploited in the interests of the
\ncompany and the government, and the people never had an equal
\nshare,\" Andi said, pointing to the fact that only a small amount
\nof forestry revenues was entered in the state budget.<\/p>\n
He suggested that community forests be coordinated under a
\ndirectorate general of the forestry ministry.<\/p>\n
\"Decentralization is an opportunity for the local people, the
\nlocal administration and investors not only to exploit the
\nforests but also to manage the forests.\"<\/p>\n
\"People can say 'no' to investors if their schemes are
\ndangerous to the environment. This way they will have a stronger
\nbargaining position,\" Andi said.<\/p>\n
Also speaking at the seminar was economist Hermawan Kertajaya
\nand Director General for Land Rehabilitation and Social Forestry
\nAbdul Fattah.<\/p>\n
\"We have to learn how to market the regions. We do not have
\nmayors or governors like in the developed countries who are used
\nto making deals with investors. They know how to protect and
\nsafely use their natural resources,\" Hermawan said.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia, however, is at the level of power and democracy
\neuphoria, so it's hard to expect the local leaders to be able to
\ncope with regional autonomy.\"<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, I am planning to establish a scheme on marketing
\nplaces in Indonesia in a bid to prevent local administrations or
\nlocal leaders -- in the 361 regencies -- from making wrong
\ndecisions that will be damaging to their regions in the future,\"
\nHermawan explained. (edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/community-forest-development-called-for-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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