Soeharto urges efficient use of natural resources

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday urged the nation to use the country's natural resources efficiently and to make conservation a primary concern.

Speaking at a ceremony to present the Kalpataru and Adipura award to individuals and cities for their environmental work, Soeharto said that giant leaps in science and technology have allowed mankind to exploit nature with increasing swiftness and ferocity.

If unrestrained, such a situation opens the door for environmental degradation and pollution which in the end would only be detrimental to mankind, he said.

Yesterday's ceremony also coincided with the international celebration of World Environment Day.

He said that, when speaking of efficiency, people think in terms of economics, and neglect the fact that efficiency also applies to the use of natural resources.

The Kalpataru is in the shape of a 41-centimeter sculpture of an 18-carat gold plated tree. It was first presented in 1980.

Inacio Chaves from Borawei village, East Timor, received the Kalpataru in honor of his pioneering activities in environmental preservation. Warsono from Yogyakarta received the award in the category of "environmental devotee".

Two groups received a Kalpataru as environmental conservation campaigners, the Tri Kahyangan villagers from Bali and the Sumber Makmur farmers group in East Java.

Mambodyanto Sumaprawiro from Pabuaran village, Central Java received a Kalpataru for floral conservation and for his efforts to raise awareness of rare plant specimens.

On the same occasion President Soeharto also presented the Adipura award to cities considered successful in maintaining a high standard of cleanliness.

There are three types of awards: the Adipura Kencana for cities that have won the award five consecutive times or five times in six years. The regular Adipura for cleanliness and a healthy environment, and the certificate.

This year judges evaluated 262 cities, 60 more than the previous year. As a result, those receiving distinctions increased to 150 from last year's 121 cities.

Eighteen cities received the Adipura Kencana this year, seven more than last year.

Recipients of the Adipura in the major cities increased from five to eight this year, including Jakarta, Bandung, Medan, Palembang and Ujungpandang.

Surakarta and Malang got the award for the big city category, while 47 cities were awarded the Adipura in the medium cities category.

The biggest jump was in the small city category which rose from 64 towns last year to 85 this year.

The Satyalencana Wira Karya and the Satyalencana Pembangunan awards were also given to those who had contributed to the nation's development, particularly in the environmental field.

This year seven people received the Satyalencana Wira Karya while nine received the Satyalencana Pembangunan, including folk singer Ully Sigar Rusadi and leading campaigner of green consumerism Erna Witoelar. (mds)