Environmentalists receive prestigious Kalpataru awards
Environmentalists receive prestigious Kalpataru awards
I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali
President Megawati Soekarnoputri presented on Wednesday
prestigious Kalpataru environmental awards to distinguished
persons and organizations for their immense contributions to the
preservation of the environment.
In a modest ceremony at the Wiswa Sabha building at the Bali
gubernatorial offices in Denpasar on Wednesday, the President
thanked the Kalpataru winners for their services.
"I sincerely congratulate you on your great achievements.
Hopefully, the awards will motivate you to work harder and to
encourage other people and institutions to follow in your steps,"
Megawati said.
The annual Kalpataru award presentation coincided with the
World Environment Day, which falls on June 5.
Kalpataru awards were presented to Kuat Sudarta (North
Sumatera), H. Arfan (West Nusa Tenggara), and Herry Rompas (North
Sulawesi), in recognition of their work as the pioneers in saving
the environment.
Endang Maryatun (Yogyakarta), Mada Hendrikus (East Nusa
Tenggara), and Agung Sugiarta (North Sumatera), received
Kalpataru awards for their work as environmental proponents.
In the "savior of the environment" category, the Kalpatarus
went to the Kali Jambe Natural Resources Conservation Group (East
Java), and the indigenous people of Kutasari hamlet,
Karangpaningal (West Java). The Kalpatarus in the "promoters of
the environment" went to Ngangkat Tarigan (North Sumatera), and
to Central Java's Charles Saerang, the CEO of the country's
leading producer of traditional herbal drinks, PT Jamu Nyonya
Meneer.
State Minister for the Environment Nabiel Makarim said in his
speech that environmental protection needed political power and
support.
"Environmental conditions in this country keep deteriorating
because people or organizations who are committed to saving the
environment do not have such power and support," Nabiel said.
He outlined four important points that must be implemented in
order to protect the environment.
"First, we must win the support of those with real political
power. Second, we must be able to increase people's awareness and
secure their involvement and participation in environmental
conservation programs," he said.
Nabiel also stressed the need to establish a governance system
and to arouse environmental awareness at the local government
level. The system would empower the local authorities to enforce
clean governance and to implement more environmentally friendly
policies.
To date, around 59 cities and regencies have joined the
program.
Every year, the central government also presents the Adipraja
awards to local administrations that successfully implement the
Bangun Praja program, which is aimed at increasing capacity-
building.