Walhi calls for reallocation, decentralization of resource

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) has called for the decentralization and reallocation of natural resources in a bid to boost the people-oriented economy as part of a reform agenda of environmental management.

The call was made as one of Walhi's recommendations in its New Year briefing on the country's 1999 environmental condition here Wednesday.

"It is obvious that no essential changes in environmental policies have yet been made in this reform era. The local environment was never given enough attention under the past regime... and now it is more or less the same," Emmy Hafild, Walhi's chairwoman, said.

"The environment is not seen as an integral part of development, but is merely an 'appendage'," Emmy told The Jakarta Post.

"This is proved by various incidents ranging from forest fires to floods and pollution ... in the last couple of years. All of that has added to the gloomy condition of our environment this year," she said.

Affirmative actions such as giving greater autonomy to the provinces are needed to give the people a greater say in managing natural resources and dealing with environmental problems, Emmy added.

"The current environmental structure and policies built by the government put more stress on exploitation rather than conservation.

"The environment is seen as an object... and it still fails to draw the full attention of the government, which has the economy and politics as its top priorities."

Emmy cited a presidential instruction to the Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto to support the giant American mining company PT Freeport in boosting its production up to 330,000 metric tons per day -- even though the company was swamped with allegations of environmental abuse.

"Everyone is busy thinking about how to put the economy back on track without seriously considering the environmental aspects.

"Therefore, through decentralization of the system combined with a people-oriented economy... stronger public control can be built so people can determine how far exploitation should go and how to preserve natural resources."

Unsustainable development policies must also be reviewed, she said.

"We will urge the government to abolish policies that contribute to the destruction of the environment."

Emmy said the government should improve forest management, review the transmigration program and entirely stop the "irrational" experimental one million hectare peat moss farmland project in Central Kalimantan.

"We want the government to stop the project and rehabilitate the area for the sake of the environment and the local people," she said.

Indonesia has been a target of criticism for its poor forest management, which has resulted in the destruction of parts of its forests. Walhi reported that more than 127,000 hectares of forest in East Kalimantan had been razed by fire over the past two years, causing more than Rp 2.2 trillion in material losses.

Indonesia has more than 144 million hectares of tropical forests, which are only one of the country's rich natural treasures, she added.

"We need concrete steps and sincerity from the government. So we, too, vow to help the campaign for fair and open elections and hope for a new and better government that cares for the environment," she added. (edt)