Govt to issue permits for pulp production<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government will resume issuing licenses for
\nthe establishment of industrial timber plantations to boost the
\ncountry's pulp production, Minister of Forestry Djamaludin
\nSuryohadikusumo says.<\/p>\n
Djamaludin was quoted by Antara as saying Wednesday that more
\npulp production is needed to increase paper production and cut
\nback paper prices in the long run.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Forestry had previously limited the issuance
\nof such permits to only 13 concessionaires for environmental
\nreasons.<\/p>\n
Djamaludin said concessionaires which currently have a permit
\nshould start planting their industrial timber, otherwise their
\nlicenses will be revoked.<\/p>\n
Many investors who were interested in establishing pulp and
\npaper plants have been turned down because the ministry
\nstipulates that the wood supply must come from plantations grown
\nby the concessionaires on infertile, flat and empty land with an
\narea of 300,000 hectares or more.<\/p>\n
Industries are not allowed to fell trees from the existing
\nnatural forests.<\/p>\n
Djamaludin said he was doubtful that investors would respond
\nbecause there were now very few areas in the country which meet
\nthe government's requirements.<\/p>\n
He said, however, that to ease investments, the regulations
\nmay be revised to allow prospective investors to establish
\nplantations in areas of about 150,000 hectares.<\/p>\n
He also emphasized that investors must not push out indigenous
\ncommunities in the plantation areas. (pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-to-issue-permits-for-pulp-production-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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