Regions told to implement sustainability<\/p>\n
Ridwan Max Sijabat and Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post\/Medan<\/p>\n
Under regional autonomy, local governments should play strategic
\nroles in implementing sustainable development, a top government
\nminister says.<\/p>\n
Since autonomy was implemented in 2001, regional governments
\nhave had the power to produce and implement a policy that
\nsupported sustainable development, State Minister of the
\nEnvironment Rachmat Nadi Witoelar said.<\/p>\n
This development could be achieved if the regional governments
\npromoted the idea and exerted their power in prudent way. \"The
\ncentral government only produces a grand design, while the
\nregional governments have the full authority to make the
\nnecessary policies and implement them,\" Rachmat said before more
\nthan a thousand delegates from 43 countries taking part in the
\nLake Toba Summit in North Sumatra.<\/p>\n
The constant calls for sustainable development in Indonesia by
\nenvironmentalists were necessary, as the idea had long been
\nignored by regional governments, he said.<\/p>\n
Since regional autonomy was implemented, numerous
\nenvironmental problems had emerged in many regions because many
\nregional heads did not take environmental factors into
\nconsideration.<\/p>\n
\"Many regional administrations have given forestry concessions
\nto pulp mills or converted areas into plantations to improve
\ntheir revenue, damaging the ecosystem and endangering protected
\nrare species. And consequently, natural disasters (floods and
\nlandslides caused by erosion) have been inevitable and claimed
\nmore human lives.\"<\/p>\n
The minister said the regions should learn from the frequent
\nlandslides and floods in Sumatra and Java, which continually
\noccurred because the government and people there neglected
\nsustainable development.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, former environment minister Emil Salim, said the
\nLake Toba Summit was worthwhile as a strategic forum for
\nparticipants from developed and developing countries to share
\ntheir experiences.<\/p>\n
\"This international conference is quite strategic and follows
\nup on ideas raised in the World Summit on Sustainable Development
\nin Johannesburg, South Africa, in September, 2002.<\/p>\n
\"Overseeing social, economic and environmental development
\nshould no longer be limited to national governments and
\ninternational institutions such as the World Bank and the
\nInternational Monetary Fund (IMF). The main stake holders in the
\nsustainable development are local administrations, businessmen,
\nnongovernmental organizations, workers, women and peasants,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Emil said regional administrations, especially delegates from
\nAceh and North Sumatra should cooperate with counterparts from
\ndeveloped countries in Europe, North America and Asia to learn
\nhow to empower farmers, forest dwellers, workers, environmental
\nagencies and businesspeople to minimize any damage to the
\nenvironment.<\/p>\n
\"Regental and municipal administrations in Aceh and North
\nSumatra should learn more from delegates from Japan and Australia
\nwho have many experiences in handling tsunamis, typhoons and
\nhurricanes. They should empower all vulnerable groups, including
\nthe poor, women and children, to develop a healthy environment,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
East Timor President Xanana Gusmao said he paid great
\nattention to the summit because East Timor, a young and tiny
\ncountry, wanted to exchange information from Indonesia and other
\nparticipants on how to implement sustainable development.<\/p>\n
Riau Governor Rusli Zainal and Papua Governor Jaap Salossa
\nsaid strong law enforcement and consistency were badly needed to
\nminimize the impact of development on the environment.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/regions-told-to-implement-sustainability-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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