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.