RI, Norway launch $2.2m development program

RI, Norway launch $2.2m development program

Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government, in cooperation with Norway, kicked off on
Tuesday an integrated program aimed at ensuring continued growth
while at the same satisfying the needs of environmental
protection in Riau province.

The holistic nature of the program, which allows both
industrial and environmental needs to be taken into account,
solicits the participation of all community levels in the
province and was launched with the recent regional autonomy
initiative in mind.

Funded by the Norwegian government, the program also seeks to
introduce conflict-solving mechanisms with a focus on poverty
alleviation through community development.

The five-year program will be guided by an outline already
drafted by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation
(NORAD) and Indonesia's State Ministry for the Environment.

The resumption of the program on Tuesday was marked by the
signing of a memorandum of understanding by State Minister of
Environment Nabiel Makarim and NORAD Director General Tove
Strand.

A total budget of 20 million Norwegian kroners (some US$2.22
million) will be donated for the program and managed by the
Directorate for Nature Management, which comprises of
stakeholders of the project.

The program comprises three projects:

Project A seeks to improve natural resource management in and
around Bukit Tigapuluh National Park in Inderagiri Hulu district,
which also involves industries along Inderagiri River.

Project B is on sustainable environmental management related
to the coastal and marine biodiversity in Batam, Rempang, Galang
and Bintan islands.

Project C focuses on capacity building at the local
administration level. It will be the direct responsibility of
Nabiel's office.