Provinces to get more say on forest projects<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Forestry and Plantations plans
\nto increase the budget allocations for local administrations in
\nthe 1999\/2000 fiscal year in a bid to give them greater autonomy
\nin managing the country's forest assets.<\/p>\n
Minister of Forestry and Plantations Muslimin Nasution said on
\nThursday that the amount to be managed by provincial offices to
\ndevelop forests in their areas would be raised by 79.1 percent to
\nRp 177.4 billion from Rp 99 billion in the current fiscal year,
\nending in March.<\/p>\n
\"Consequently, the funds managed by the central government
\nnext fiscal year will be set at only Rp 41.6 billion, 62.7
\npercent lower than the RP 111.7 billion in the current fiscal
\nyear,\" he said in his directive during his meeting with the heads
\nof forestry provincial offices.<\/p>\n
In the 1999\/2000 draft of the state budget -- unveiled by
\nPresident B.J Habibie earlier this month -- the funds allocated
\nto the ministry increased by 4.3 percent to Rp 219 billion from
\nRp 210.7 billion in 1998\/1999 fiscal year.<\/p>\n
Aside from the budget, he said, the ministry has also
\nallocated Rp 1.05 trillion in reforestation funds and Rp 102.64
\nbillion in forest royalties and concessions fees to finance the
\ndevelopment of the country's forests in 1999\/2000 fiscal year.<\/p>\n
The reforestation fund and forest royalties are mandatory fees
\nimposed by the government on forest concessionaires to ensure
\nthat forests are managed in an environmentally sustainable
\nmanner. The size of the fee depends on the volume and type of
\ntimber felled.<\/p>\n
Muslimin said that the reforestation funds will be used to
\nfinance the development of timber estates, forest conservation
\nand the ministry's social forestry program.<\/p>\n
Some Rp 45 billion of the fund, he said, would be disbursed as
\ncredits for people living near forests to finance their economic
\nactivities such as developing silkworm cultivation.<\/p>\n
Muslimin also urged his officials to use the funds more
\nefficiently and avoid lavishness and corruption. He also asked
\nhis officials to cut out illegal levies.<\/p>\n
\"The era of corruption and bribery is over now. It is time for
\nus to manage the funds entrusted by the people to us more
\nefficiently and to manage the country's forests in an
\nenvironmentally sustainable manner that empowers local people.\"
\n(gis)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/provinces-to-get-more-say-on-forest-projects-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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