President praises Wanagama program

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)