Save Kerinci national park

Save Kerinci national park

JAMBI, Jambi: Local authorities are making efforts to save the Kerinci Seblat National Park in Kerinci district from slash-and- burn farming, Governor Abdurrahman Sayoeti said on Saturday.

"Efforts to save the park from slash-and-burn farming is a must," the governor said, as quoted by Antara, after installing Fauzi Si'in as head of Kerinci district.

"I hope the district's head-elect will quickly handle the district's problems and give top priority to its development," he said.

He said the new official should be responsive and sensitive in safeguarding the 395,280-hectare park.

"It is the policy of Jambi's authorities to pay great attention to the people living in the park by encouraging them to take part in the local government-sponsored transmigration program," he said.

No less than the World Bank has paid serious attention to efforts to keep the park intact, he said.

He cited slash-and-burn farming as a potential threat to the park's conservation efforts due to the shrinking of farm and plantation land.