Forestry Minister urges public to protect forests and boost economy through social forestry

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has urged the public to contribute to forest conservation efforts and to stimulate the economy through social forestry schemes. In his statement in Jakarta on Friday, the Minister assessed that social forestry policy represents a turning point in the management of forest areas in Indonesia. Previously, the public was not permitted to enter forest areas; now, they are granted the right to manage them legally. “Essentially, social forestry is granted to the public so that the forest’s functions can be maximised. In the past, the public was prohibited from entering the forest; now, they are allowed, even to manage it legally for maximum utilisation,” he said. He is optimistic that the public will uphold the trust given by the state by carrying out both functions in tandem. “Work together, collaborate so that the economic function increases, while at the same time enhancing the ecological function,” stated the Forestry Minister. Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has just handed over nine Social Forestry Decisions to 328 family heads in Darunu Tourism Village, Wori Subdistrict, North Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi.