Govt to learn from green activists: Habibie<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie suggested on Thursday
\nthat the government and the public learn from some award-winning
\nenvironmental activists, many of whom are unschooled, who had
\nselflessly translated ideals into actions in the promotion of the
\nenvironment.<\/p>\n
The President said the failure of the government's campaign to
\nimprove environmental protection could be seen by the public's
\npoor environmental awareness.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a ceremony to mark National Flora and Fauna Day,
\nthe President pointed out how many villagers worked hard to
\nprotect the environment despite their poor living conditions.<\/p>\n
\"Most of the environmental activists come from remote areas,
\nthey do not have a good education, but they have amazing wisdom
\nand deep sensitivity about the environment,\" he said before
\npresenting Kalpataru awards at Merdeka Palace to six activists
\nand two community groups for their outstanding contributions to
\npreserving the environment.<\/p>\n
Jakarta, North Sumatra and East Java provinces also received
\nthe awards for their successful environment programs.<\/p>\n
This year the government did not give out the Adipura award in
\nrecognition of clean cities. There was no explanation as to why
\nthe award was canceled. Last year 263 cities and towns received
\nAdipura awards.<\/p>\n
Traditionally the awards were presented during the
\ncommemoration of Environment Day which falls on June 5. This
\nyear, the ceremony was delayed because at the time Habibie had
\nonly been in office for two weeks.<\/p>\n
This year Albino de Jesus Lopes, a Madabeno villager from
\nAileu regency, East Timor, received an award for his pioneering
\nwork in planting 25,000 trees in his village since 1982.<\/p>\n
\"About 117 hectares of land have been regreened (by Lopes)
\nwith various plants especially productive trees,\" State Minister
\nof Environment Panangian Siregar said in his report to the
\nPresident.<\/p>\n
Thursday's ceremony was among Siregar's very rare public
\nappearances since his appointment in May. Siregar, representing
\nthe government-backed Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) has never
\nmet individually with Habibie during working hours.<\/p>\n
The other Kalpataru awards went to Tim Rowi from Suling Kulon
\nvillage, Bondowoso, East Java, in the category of \"environmental
\npioneer\"; and to the Adat Ria Latung community from Nangaular,
\nEast Nusa Tenggara, and a farmers group from Donomulyo village,
\nMalang, East Java, in the category of \"environmental devotees.\"<\/p>\n
Noted architect Eko Budihardjo from Diponegoro University,
\nSemarang, Central Java, received the award for his contribution
\nto advocating environmental protection.<\/p>\n
\"He always pays attention (to ways) of maintaining
\nenvironmentally friendly cities and to preserve historic
\nbuildings,\" Siregar said.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso expressed his mixed feelings upon
\nreceiving the Kalpataru award.<\/p>\n
\"Actually I am proud of the award but on the other hand I feel
\nashamed as the city's condition is still far from ideal,\" the
\ngovernor said after the ceremony. (prb\/ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-to-learn-from-green-activists-habibie-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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