300,000 trees planted in Bogor

BOGOR (JP): At least 300,000 trees have been planted here in the past five years in an attempt to create a gigantic garden for the 12,000-hectare city, an official said yesterday.

The city has spent Rp 500 million (US$142,860) for the environmental project, said Bogor Mayoralty Secretary R. Iswara Natanegara.

"Half of the funds came from the public, while the remaining half came from the city budget," Iswara said.

He said the 87-hectare Bogor Botanical Garden has been set up as the main garden in the city which will be surrounded by nine smaller gardens.

Iswara, however, admitted that some of the trees had already died and been removed due to poor maintenance. (24/jun)