Land problems deter regreening program: Surjadi

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said that park and other green areas account for only 12 percent of the total land area of the city, far below the ideal level of 30 percent.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Surjadi said that the inability of the city to expand the greenery is caused mainly by limited availability of land.

Surjadi complained that the sky-rocketing prices of land in the capital, which covers a total area of 65,000 hectares, has exacerbated the problems faced in creating more parks.

"It is difficult to meet the ideal target. The fact that the administration can use up to 12 percent of the land area of the capital for green medians and parks already constitutes as an excellent achievement," he said.

The municipal administration embarked on a tree planting campaign in 1993, when one million trees were planted. This year 1.6 million trees have been planted, with another one million planned for next year.

Head of the City Park Office Syamsir Alam urged Jakartans to participate in the regreening program in the city by planting trees in their yards or other open spaces near their homes.

Syamsir told the City Council's Commission D, which is in charge of development affairs, recently that the regreening program is hindered not only by land shortages but by a lack of funds as well.

Moreover a number of green areas in the city have been intentionally torn out to make way for the construction of various facilities.

According to data provided by the office, the green areas taken over for other purposes cover a total of 306,649 square meters in Central Jakarta, 81,423 square meters in North Jakarta, 43,463 square meters in West Jakarta, 74,148 square meters in South Jakarta and 38,224 square meters in East Jakarta.

Out of the total of 3,800 hectares of parks in the city, only 1,800 hectares can be managed properly due to the limited availability of funds. (yns)