Regions ask for reforestation funds

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: The provinces of South Sumatra and neighboring Jambi are urging the Ministry of Forestry and Plantations to hand over reforestation funds amounting to more than Rp 15 trillion (some US$15 billion).

South Sumatra Governor Rosihan Arsyad and Jambi legislative council Speaker Nasrun Arbain said the money was needed for reforestation programs.

They said South Sumatra had the right to Rp 8 trillion and Jambi Rp 7.2 billion in reforestation funds.

A ministry official who asked for anonymity said the South Sumatra administration had made numerous requests for the money, but the ministry had not yet responded.

"The money has allegedly been misused by the central government for, among other things, an aircraft manufacturer and to bail out private companies," the official said.

Saiful Ramadhan, the head of the South Sumatra Forestry Office, said the province had a total of 3,275,125 hectares of forest, 1,920,842 hectares of which has been destroyed.

A similar situation exists in Jambi. According to Arbain, illegal logging was rampant in the province. "Conservation areas, including Berbak National Park and Kerinci Seblat National Park, have become the targets."

Berbak National Park covers about 142,500 hectares, while Seblat National Park encompasses 402,500 hectares. (33)