Tree planting contest launched by govt<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The office of the State Minister of Environment
\nhas initiated a regreening contest in an attempt to rejuvenate
\nthe public's interest in the One Million Trees Movement.<\/p>\n
Minister Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said on Wednesday that his
\noffice will grant awards to those individuals and private or
\ngovernment agencies who display an outstanding dedication to
\nplanting trees in their areas.<\/p>\n
Closing a national meeting on the environment, he said the
\naward is expected to be as prestigious as the Kalpataru award,
\nwhich the government grants every year to people who make
\noutstanding environmental conservation efforts.<\/p>\n
The contest will be open at the district, regency and
\nprovincial levels.<\/p>\n
\"We hope that the awards will help maintain the public's
\ninterest in the One Million Trees Movement,\" he said, referring
\nto a regreening drive initiated by President Soeharto.<\/p>\n
He did not say the name of the award to be given but said that
\nit is being set up at the request of President Soeharto, who
\nwants to see more trees planted.<\/p>\n
\"Everybody should participate and help make the tree planting
\ndrive a success,\" Sarwono quoted Soeharto as saying.<\/p>\n
Sarwono also invited the public to register now. The contest,
\nhowever, is closed to those employed at the Ministry of Forestry,
\nprivate sector employees in forest-based industries and those in
\nfields related to government regreening programs.<\/p>\n
Participants should describe any tree planting activities or
\nregreening programs that they have been a part of in the past
\nfive years.<\/p>\n
Sarwono's office will announce the winners and present the
\naward on Nov. 5, in coincidence with Flora and Fauna Day.<\/p>\n
The One Million Trees Movement was launched in January 1993 by
\nPresident Soeharto as part of the nation's regreening program.
\nThe President instructed each of the 27 provinces in the country
\nto plant one million trees per year.<\/p>\n
The campaign officially started with the planting of 1,000
\ntrees at Monas Square Park in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
During the closing ceremony of the meeting, Coordinating
\nMinister for Production and Distribution Hartarto presented
\nawards to the five vice-governors whose provinces won this year's
\nclean river contest.<\/p>\n
They are the provinces of East Java, Central Java, Lampung,
\nSouth Sumatra and Jakarta. (16)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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