What they say about the city regreening program<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta's regreening program -- dubbed the One
\nMillion Tree Movement -- is still going on. It is not an instant
\njob. Authorities say beautiful public parks and urban forests
\nwill not be seen for at least another five years.<\/p>\n
Some say the campaign, launched by Governor Surjadi Soedirdja
\nin 1993, has achieved significant results while others see it as
\na good idea which needs improvement.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post interviewed several people about the movement
\nand the status of Jakarta's parks and urban forests.<\/p>\n
This is what they said:<\/p>\n
Yuswadi Saliya, a lecturer at the Bandung Institute of
\nTechnology (ITB) in West Java, who was once involved in the Monas
\nurban forest development project: \"The capital has seen a lot of
\nimprovement. More big trees are seen on main roads. The parks
\nhave been very well treated, allowing flowers to bloom happily.
\nHowever, there are still many pot plants put on roadsides which
\nnot only disturb passers-by but don't match with the height of
\nthe skyscrapers. The use of pots, normally used in Japanese
\ngardening, doesn't work a big city like Jakarta. Jakarta needs an
\nurban landscape design. The other thing is the urgent need for
\nsmall plants to be planted next to the big trees to prevent them
\nbeing blown down in storms.\"<\/p>\n
Dimmy Haryanto, House member from Commission IV for
\nAgriculture, Forestry and Transmigration, Indonesian Democratic
\nParty faction: \"City forests are badly needed, especially as
\nJakarta's pollution seems to be getting worse. We need more
\nplants to act as the city's lungs.<\/p>\n
I think the city's development has not been balanced enough
\nwith regreening programs.<\/p>\n
I fully support the government's One Million Tree Movement. In
\nfact, I think developers must set aside a certain amount of their
\nland to be developed as green areas.<\/p>\n
Although I appreciate what Governor Surjadi Soedirdja has done
\nfor Jakarta through the program, I think much has yet to be done.
\nGreen areas have not been increasing at the same rate as high-
\nrise buildings.\"<\/p>\n
Hamonangan Togatorop, a property firm's general affairs
\nmanager: \"We have to copy the environmental programs that have
\nbeen successful in other big cities like Tokyo. In that city the
\ngovernment requires all high-rise building operators to build
\ntheir own gardens on top of their buildings or in their
\nbuildings. This is something that can be done if we cannot
\ndevelop city forests.<\/p>\n
I agree with the idea of developing city forests. But we have
\nto make sure that such an environmental program is not pursued by
\nforcing people to move.<\/p>\n
Maybe we can start the program by planting trees along both
\nsides of rivers in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
But I think the city forest program alone is not enough to
\nclean Jakarta's air. We should also try to reduce pollution by
\nreducing carbon dioxide emissions from cars and encouraging
\npeople to use more gas than fuel oil.\"<\/p>\n
Putri Wong Kam Fu, an East Java-based (Malang) soothsayer, and
\nregular visitor to Jakarta: \"Jakarta is Jakarta. It's hot and
\ncrowded. No one will be able to change the image of this
\nmetropolis. There's no place for trees because land is a luxury
\ngood here. Let's see Jakarta from an airplane to prove my
\nremarks; to see whether the skyscrapers and buildings occupy the
\nlargest part of the capital. So, Jakarta is still Jakarta. It
\ncouldn't be as green as my hometown, where the air is always
\nfresh and clean. But the municipality's massive effort to plant
\nmore trees in Jakarta is very much welcomed. It helps minimize
\nthe polluted air, water and land.\"<\/p>\n
Sutini, a maid living in a housing complex: \"Trees might be
\ngood to human beings but not for people like me. Years ago this
\ncomplex was full of rubber trees which gave me nothing. But now,
\nafter the trees were cut down, I can earn enough money because
\nthe area is now the home of many people, and I work in these
\nhomes.\"<\/p>\n
Rika Sartika Dewi L., a public relations officer: \"I think we
\nneed city forests in Jakarta to function as the city's lungs. We
\ncan copy the concept of Kebon Raya Bogor in Bogor, West Java.<\/p>\n
We have to make sure there are trees. But of course, we should
\nnot only focus on their environmental function. We can also make
\nproductive forests.<\/p>\n
In addition, the government should require all developers to
\ndevelop parks in their estates and high-rise buildings.<\/p>\n
The government should also pursue an intensive campaign to
\nencourage the public to plant at least two trees in their
\nhouses.\"<\/p>\n
Syamsuddin Abbas, a senior Ministry of Agriculture official:
\n\"Of course city forests are necessary. Not only are green belts a
\nsource of oxygen, they also are also a relief to the eyes,
\nespecially after we see is tall, concrete buildings all day.<\/p>\n
Whether or not there are enough trees in Jakarta really
\ndepends on where you live. The Kota area (in West Jakarta), for
\nexample, really lacks trees. But around where I live, in Pasar
\nMinggu (in South Jakarta), I think there are quite enough trees.<\/p>\n
In fact, I think one of my trees is shedding too many leaves.\"
\n(bsr\/bnt\/pwn)<\/p>",
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