District to launch regreening

PONOROGO, East Java: The Ponorogo district administration, concerned about its 54,000 hectares of arid land, plans to launch a seven-year regreening program by cultivating at least three million merak teak seeds annually.

Antara quoted district chief Markum Singodimedjo as saying Tuesday that 3.2 million seeds had been planted earlier this year. But almost half of the seedlings died due to the prolonged dry season.

The administration also plans to cultivate bamboo trees along a 165 kilometer stretch. "The reforestation aims at improving the local people's water supply," he said.

About 21,000 hectares of the arid land is considered in a critical state. (swe)