President praises Wanagama program

GUNUNG KIDUL, Yogyakarta: President Abdurrahman Wahid hailed on Friday Gadjah Mada University's role in forest conservation efforts through its Wanagama "forest laboratory" in Gunung Kidul regency.

The President also stated his appreciation to Oemi Hani'in Suseno who founded the 600-hectare forest.

"They (Wanagama founders) have given us an important lesson that with moral courage one can make what initially looked impossible into a reality," the President said during his visit to the forest laboratory which is located around 30 kilometers south of here.

Wanagama was founded in 1966. The foundation of Wanagama has motivated local people to change the arid lands of Gunung Kidul into a fertile area. (44/edt)