Reforestation fees to reach Rp 1.22t
JAKARTA (JP): State revenues from the forestry and plantation sectors are estimated to reach Rp 1.83 trillion (US$261.9 million) in the fiscal year 2000.
Minister of Forestry and Plantation Nur Mahmudi Ismail said on Tuesday that the revenue target would be derived from reforestation fees, royalties, levies and other service fees.
He told House Commission III for agriculture and food affairs that reforestation fees in the fiscal year 2000 were expected to reach Rp 1.22 trillion.
The government has decided to change the base year of its budget from between April and March to a calendar year starting in 2001. Therefore, the next fiscal year will start in April and end in December 2000.
According to regulation No. 25/1999, 60 percent of reforestation fees or Rp 729.9 billion will be allocated to the central government and 40 percent or Rp 486 billion will go to provincial administrations.
He said including Rp 2.7 trillion in reforestation fees which were outstanding from the 1999/2000 fiscal year, there would be Rp 3.9 trillion in reforestation funds available in the next fiscal year.
Mahmudi said his ministry would see to it that not a single cent of reforestation funds would be used outside the forestry sector.
The previous government was criticized for allocating a large portion of reforestation funds to projects not related to forestry development.
"We will use the funds optimally for the development of forests to ensure their sustainable management for public welfare," he said.
He added that other revenues from the forestry and plantation sectors in the next fiscal year would total Rp 615.6 billion, of which 80 percent would be allocated for the central government and 20 percent for provincial administrations.
Nur Mahmudi said his ministry would need Rp 4.68 trillion in the development budget for the fiscal year 2000. (06)