85 million hectares of forest mapped

JAKARTA (JP): PT Mapindo Parama has taken aerial photos of about 85 million hectares of Indonesia's forests since 1990, the company's chief executive said yesterday.

Herman Hidayat said about 76 percent or 65 million hectares of the photographed area was production forest.

He said most production forests, including forest industrial estates, had been photographed.

PT Mapindo Parama specializes in taking aerial photos, particularly for forest concessionaires.

Having the aerial photos taken is a requirement if concessionaires want to be able to log annually and extend their forest concessions.

Herman said forest aerial photos cost US$1 a hectare. But if it is included with air mapping, the cost is US$2.50 a hectare.

He said the aerial photo was still made in black and white. "But we may make it in full color in 2000 when we revise all the forest aerial photos."

The colorful aerial photo would be about 10 percent more expensive but more informative, he said. (bnt)