Forest in Kalimantan

Forest in Kalimantan

From Kompas

I am commenting on the article 'Yang terlihat dari balik awan'
(What can be seen beyond the cloud) by Wildan Yatim, lecturer on
biology at the School of Forestry, Pajajaran University, Bandung
(Kompas, Nov. 26, 1994).

The article says that, according to the latest data, about 85
hectares of the forests in East Kalimantan were destroyed by
fire. It should be noted that the Department of Forestry has been
continuously making efforts to prevent and curb forest fires, in
coordination with the related agencies. The programs include
training and a national campaign to develop a consciousness and
love of forest conservation and management of forest protection.

The regional government is also held responsible for the
management of the forests. The delegation of authority is
contained in the decree of the Minister of Forestry No 86/1994,
which includes supervision and control on all forestry
activities. So it is totally untrue to allege that the regional
government is not included in the task of managing the forests,
including the supervisory aspect.

KARDJONO KADARSIN

Head of Public Relations Bureau

Department of Forestry

Jakarta