Sweden aids forestry project

Sweden aids forestry project

JAKARTA (JP): The Swedish government has agreed to provide a
4.22 million Swedish krona (US$515,000) grant for a forest and
land rehabilitation project in Sumatra.

The agreement for the grant, which will be used to finance the
Integrated Watersheds Rehabilitation and Environmental
Development in Batanghari river basin in Jambi, was signed by
Swedish Ambassador Harald Sandberg and Minister of Forestry and
Plantations Muslimin Nasution here on Tuesday.

The project, which will be carried out in the Batanghari river
basin in Sarolangun Bangko regency in Jambi, is expected to
contribute to the betterment of the planning process for
watershed and environmental development in Indonesia and improve
the living standard of the people living in the watershed area.

Sandberg said that the grant was the first stage of a three-
installment grant by the Swedish government for watershed
management and environmental development in Indonesia.

Indonesia, through the Ministry of Forestry and Plantations,
will provide Rp 600 million ($54,500) for the four-year project.
(gis)