Fairer use of natural riches called for

JAKARTA (JP): Representatives of traditional communities, the business sector, non-governmental organizations, scholars and the government ended a three-day gathering here on Thursday to formulate strategies for sustainable and community friendly natural resource exploitation.

"It was the first time all parties involved in natural resource exploitation sat down together," State Minister of the Environment Sonny Keraf said of the National Conference on Natural Resource Management.

Outspoken economist Faisal Basri from the University of Indonesia said that while the country heavily relied on natural exploitation for its development, sustainability was never a concern.

Among notable recommendations drafted in the meeting was for greater attention to local concerns and aspirations in the formulation of the development of policies and a need for regulations pertaining to natural resources with emphasis on the rights of traditional societies.

With the theme "Toward Just and Sustainable Natural Resource Management for Community Welfare", the meeting also stressed the need for the state to reduce its monopoly in determining environmental management.

The head of the organizing committee, Julia Kalmirah from the Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi), said results of the conference would be submitted to the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas).

The agency, which assists the president in implementing national policy, is scheduled to submit the national development program for 2001-2005 to the House of Representatives on June 1. (08)