Environmentalists criticize draft ruling on forest use<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Environmentalists have criticized a draft presidential regulation
\non forest use as not providing protection for forests because of
\nits outright \"pro-business agenda\".<\/p>\n
Friends of the Earth Indonesia executive director Chalid
\nMuhammad said that the draft regulation did nothing to prevent
\nfurther deforestation.<\/p>\n
\"If anything, the draft makes it easier for firms to exploit
\nand destroy forests,\" said Chalid on Thursday. \"This is proof
\nthat the government is kowtowing to the interests of big
\ninvestors,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The draft regulation, a copy of which has been obtained by The
\nJakarta Post, specifies the procedures needed for obtaining a
\npermit to conduct certain \"strategic\" and \"public service\"
\nactivities in forests. The activities will only be allowed in
\nareas designated as protected or production forests.<\/p>\n
The activities covered by the draft include mining, oil and
\ngas exploitation, electricity generation, construction of roads,
\ntollways and railways, laying of water pipes, building of
\ntelecommunications facilities, erection of television and radio
\nfacilities, and military use.<\/p>\n
Although the draft regulation explicitly states that a forest
\ncannot be reclassified as a non-forest area to accommodate these
\nactivities, Chalid criticized this provision as meaningless.<\/p>\n
\"The environmental functions of the affected forests will
\nstill be altered no matter what their designation,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Mining Advocacy Network coordinator Siti Maimunah said that
\nthe draft regulation was clearly aimed at attracting more
\ninvestors, especially in the mining and oil and gas sectors.<\/p>\n
\"The regulation is the government's way of getting quick
\ncash,\" she said. \"It will accelerate the exploitation of
\nresources.\"<\/p>\n
The draft regulation would allow firms to obtain renewable 10-
\nyear permits for mineral, oil and gas prospecting. Open-pit
\nmining would be prohibited in protected forests, but would be
\nallowed in certain production forests.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the allocation of forest land for the construction
\nof electricity, telecommunications and water infrastructure, and
\nfor those activities designated as public services, would be
\nallowed for the duration of the activities.<\/p>\n
Those who obtain permits to conduct activities would be
\nrequired to compensate through planting of new forest areas of up
\nto twice the size of the affected area.<\/p>\n
Maimunah said that the compensation requirement was
\nmeaningless.<\/p>\n
\"If a forest is destroyed in one area, its functions cannot be
\nreplaced in another area,\" she said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/environmentalists-criticize-draft-ruling-on-forest-use-1447893297",
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