Reforestation funds<\/p>\n
From Neraca<\/p>\n
It would be best if the reforestation funds totaling Rp 7.7
\ntrillion that were collected from forest concessionaires were
\ndirectly allocated to the regions for reforestation purposes.<\/p>\n
As far as the forest concessionaires are concerned, the funds
\ncould be kept either in the Ministry of Forestry and Plantations
\nor go to the state coffers as nontaxable state income. What is
\nimportant is that the funds are properly used, i.e. for
\nreforestation.<\/p>\n
Originally reforestation funds were termed "reforestation
\nguarantees", as part of a program that been implemented since the
\n1980s. Through this program, forest concessionaires are obliged
\nto reforest lands whose trees have been felled. This means that
\nif the forest concession holders have done the reforestation, the
\nguaranteed money is under state control.<\/p>\n
But in practice changes of policy have been made. In the
\n1990s, fund guarantees were changed into reforestation funds. The
\nfunds no longer served as a guarantee but became a compulsory
\ncontribution from the forest concessionaires for every tree
\nfelled. Unfortunately, the funds were misappropriated. And
\nmismanagement of this sort become a public secret. Therefore the
\ngovernment sought to transfer the reforestation funds to the
\nstate coffers as nontaxable state income.<\/p>\n
It is high time the government allocated the funds to the
\nprovinces for reforestation purposes so as to conform with the
\nideal of forests for the people, meaning letting the community
\nsurrounding the forests participate in their development. This
\npolicy serves to eradicate the social gap which has often become
\na source of conflict in the forestry and plantation sector.<\/p>\n
H. SOFYAN SIAMBATON<\/p>\n
Chairman of Indonesian<\/p>\n
Forestry Community<\/p>\n
and Reform<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/reforestation-funds-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }