Japan replants trees in N. Sumatra

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Japanese parliament members pledged more assistance on Tuesday to the reforestation program in North Sumatra through the planting of tens of thousands of trees over the next five years.

The pledge was made during a meeting between 35 members of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, Mizuha Mayor Ishisuka Koueman and North Sumatra Governor T. Rizal Nurdin at the latter's office, Medan.

Chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Mita Toshiya declined to mention the amount of the assistance, saying the funds were collected voluntarily from each of the Japanese parliamentarians.

This year, they will plant thousands of pinus and macadamia trees on four hectares of land in the area of Sipiso-piso, Karo regency, and in Parapat district, Simalungun regency.

Similar trees were planted by them last year on a three- hectare plot of land also in Sipiso-piso.

"We will assist reforestation in North Sumatra. It is an international issue. We should be aware of this to protect nature. It's our problem jointly," Toshiya told Tuesday's meeting. --JP