Riverbank reforestation to cost Rp 1.8t

Riverbank reforestation to cost Rp 1.8t

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Most of North Sumatra's 1.9 million hectares of riverbank areas are in a critical condition and it will cost a whopping Rp 1.8 trillion (US$204 million) to reforest them.

"We have only received Rp 26 billion for reforestation from the central government, so unless the fund is increased, it will take 70 years to restore the catchment areas," Lamris Sitompul, head of the provincial riverbank management center, told a hearing with local legislators.

He estimated the rehabilitation of one hectare of critical land would cost at least Rp 5 million, and probably more because such action would be hampered by land degradation and a lack of community awareness.

The councillors deplored the critical situation of 12 river basins, despite the area's annual reforestation schemes, and warned the local government against diverting Japanese aid for mangrove rejuvenation to businessmen. --JP