Coral reefs need more attention: Sarwono

Coral reefs need more attention: Sarwono

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Environment Sarwono
Kusumaatmadja told the House of Representatives yesterday that
special attention needs to be paid to the country's coral reefs,
which are being destroyed at an alarming rate.

"Thus far, our participation in the cause is limited only to
monitoring and coordinating the projects of other institutions
since we have none of our own," Sarwono said.

The minister cited a few examples of Indonesia's
participation in various projects, including the marine resource
evaluation program, the coral reef evaluation program conducted
in cooperation with the Indonesia Institute of Sciences and the
coastal resource management project of the Directorate General of
Fishery.

A recent study conducted by the institute's oceanology
department found that 14 percent of the country's coral reef
ecosystem is in critical condition, 46 percent has already been
destroyed and only 7 percent remains in a state of equilibrium.

Sarwono expressed his conviction that government participation
would improve, but suggested that a national marine council be
set up to help deal with the problem.

Sarwono, also chief of the Environmental Impact Management
Agency (Bapedal), reported to House Commission X for sciences and
technology on last year's program and explained upcoming
programs.

Sarwono lamented the low levels of environmental technology
and technical know-how in Indonesia.

"Most environmental consultants and auditors are foreigners,"
he said, referring to the ISO 14000, a foreign managerial tool
that also evaluates environmental management.

Goals to be attained in the next fiscal year, according to
Sarwono, include "socializing" the revised version of the
environmental bill that is scheduled to be submitted to the House
at the end of October. He also cited the need to improve human
resources and technical skills.

"We also need to boost public participation and concern for
the environment," Sarwono said.

P.L. Courtier, a deputy chief at Bapedal, explained to
commission members the concept of one government measurement tool
called Amdal.

"Amdal is a feasibility study conducted to assess the
potential impact of a particular activity on the environment, not
a permit to issue a business license," Courtier said.

Courtier said that Bapedal needs Rp 100 million (US$42,500) to
fund more Amdal studies.

A committee of representatives from the tax and finance
directorates are currently drafting an environmental tax proposal
recently put forward by Minister of Tourism, Post and
Telecommunications Joop Ave. (14)