Govt to learn from green activists: Habibie

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie suggested on Thursday that the government and the public learn from some award-winning environmental activists, many of whom are unschooled, who had selflessly translated ideals into actions in the promotion of the environment.

The President said the failure of the government's campaign to improve environmental protection could be seen by the public's poor environmental awareness.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark National Flora and Fauna Day, the President pointed out how many villagers worked hard to protect the environment despite their poor living conditions.

"Most of the environmental activists come from remote areas, they do not have a good education, but they have amazing wisdom and deep sensitivity about the environment," he said before presenting Kalpataru awards at Merdeka Palace to six activists and two community groups for their outstanding contributions to preserving the environment.

Jakarta, North Sumatra and East Java provinces also received the awards for their successful environment programs.

This year the government did not give out the Adipura award in recognition of clean cities. There was no explanation as to why the award was canceled. Last year 263 cities and towns received Adipura awards.

Traditionally the awards were presented during the commemoration of Environment Day which falls on June 5. This year, the ceremony was delayed because at the time Habibie had only been in office for two weeks.

This year Albino de Jesus Lopes, a Madabeno villager from Aileu regency, East Timor, received an award for his pioneering work in planting 25,000 trees in his village since 1982.

"About 117 hectares of land have been regreened (by Lopes) with various plants especially productive trees," State Minister of Environment Panangian Siregar said in his report to the President.

Thursday's ceremony was among Siregar's very rare public appearances since his appointment in May. Siregar, representing the government-backed Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) has never met individually with Habibie during working hours.

The other Kalpataru awards went to Tim Rowi from Suling Kulon village, Bondowoso, East Java, in the category of "environmental pioneer"; and to the Adat Ria Latung community from Nangaular, East Nusa Tenggara, and a farmers group from Donomulyo village, Malang, East Java, in the category of "environmental devotees."

Noted architect Eko Budihardjo from Diponegoro University, Semarang, Central Java, received the award for his contribution to advocating environmental protection.

"He always pays attention (to ways) of maintaining environmentally friendly cities and to preserve historic buildings," Siregar said.

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso expressed his mixed feelings upon receiving the Kalpataru award.

"Actually I am proud of the award but on the other hand I feel ashamed as the city's condition is still far from ideal," the governor said after the ceremony. (prb/ind)