Diversity forest project launched

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri launched on Friday morning a megadiversity forest project in Carita district, Pandeglang, Banten province.

The 7,000-hectare forest will be planted with seedlings of various Indonesian tree species threaten with extinction due to destruction of the country's forests.

A forest expert from Gadjah Mada University, Sukoetjo, said the site could also serve as an environmental buffer for Jakarta as well as a recreational site for Jakartans.

The President was accompanied by Minister of Research and Technology Hatta Radjasa. -- Antara