Govt to learn from green activists: Habibie

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)