Save forests first

Save forests first

From Pikiran Rakyat

With reference to a letter which appeared in Pikiran Rakyat on Feb. 6, basically blaming a state enterprise for the mismanagement of forests, I believe we should examine the origins of the company; in this case, state forestry corporation PT Perhutani, which was set up sometime before 1978 to rescue severely damaged forest areas. Thereafter, its operation focused on large-scale reforestation, particularly in West Java.

Harvesting followed only after forest conditions became conducive to logging, which was managed according to the rules in force at the time. Presently, illegal logging is widespread due to the worsening economy and soaring prices of basic needs, aside from the misinterpretation of reforms.

Meanwhile, global warming resulting from technological development produces the greenhouse effect, and the El Nino and La Nina weather anomalies have caused protracted droughts and excessive rain, which are all further worsened by forest looting.

So, it would produce more positive results to strive to save the devastated forests first, instead of accusing each other, and the extant regional forestry regulations need to be enforced in areas outside Java, where destruction has reached staggering proportions.

ASEP BUDDY MULYONO, Bandung