Environment and development

Environment and development

In the midst of our great success in carrying out development during the past 25 years, we are faced with the bitter fact that we have heavily damaged the environment, if not completely demolished it.

The Forestry Minister is in a very difficult position, because the destruction of forests throughout the country, particularly in Kalimantan, is worse than reported.

All this is due to the population explosion and the need to carry out development programs in order to enhance the population's welfare through industrialization, the establishment of resettlement areas and infrastructure construction. However, society is also to blame for the destruction of the environment because of their ignorance, or lack of concern, of its significance.

Indonesia cannot be singled out as the only nation which has destroyed the environment. The industrialized countries have also contributed to its destruction. As a developing nation, we cannot repair the damaged environment. The industrialized nations should share the burden because it is in the interest of the entire world.

-- Kompas, Jakarta