Agency permits felling of two trees

JAKARTA: Head of the City Parks Agency Maurits Napitupulu said on Monday that his agency has issued a written permit on Friday to fell two angsana (pterocarpus indica) trees next to the Gen. Sudirman statue on Jl. Jend. Sudirman, near Dukuh Atas train station, Central Jakarta.

Bylaw No. 11/1988 on public order states that anyone guilty of tree felling on the median strip will be sentenced to three months in jail or a fine of Rp 50,000 (US$6).

However, the bylaw also states that every tree felled should be replaced by 10 trees.

Maurits told beritajakarta.com that his agency had planted 107 trees to replace the two angsana trees.

Early in June, the administration criticized British Ambassador Richard Gozney for allowing the severe lopping and disfiguring of a banyan tree in front of the embassy on Jl. Prof. Moch. Yamin, Central Jakarta. -- JP