Land problems deter regreening program: Surjadi

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)