International and local environmental activists have once again urged the government to halt conversion of forests into commercial plantations.
Tempo quoted the activists as saying that the halt is very important to prove the government's seriousness in achieving 26% emission cut target by 2020.
Considering that the above target was promised by President SBY during a meeting of world leaders last September, I hope that the government would pay serious attention to keep this promise.
Greenpeace, Sawit Watch Urge Government to Halt Plantation
Tuesday, 06 April, 2010 | 17:48 WIB
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: A coalition of environmental and rights groups have launched another call for the government to end the expansion of plantation areas in natural forests, and demand serious measures from the government to meet its 26 percent carbon cut.
At a press conference in Jakarta the group which includes Greenpeace, Indonesia Friends of the Earth, Sawit Watch, and Forest Watch Indonesia urged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to order the Forestry Minister to revoke several policies on forest and peat land conversion for large industrial purposes.
The group said expansion of palm oil plantations has come to a critical point. We have 9 million hectares of palm plantationwith expansion of 200,000 hectares per year,” Jefri Gideon Saragih of the Sawit Watch told reporters. Of the expansion figure about 100,000 hectares are peatland which conversion process according to Sawit Watch responsible for the “largest carbon emission in Indonesia”.
The group suggested the government to raise production level by intensifying productivity of the current planttaaion areas. It said malysia who has only about 4.9 hectares was able to produce up to 18 million tonnes of palm oil while Indonesia only produced about 21.3 million a year.
Bustar Maitar, Greenpeace's Southeast Asia forest campaigner said the halt “is important to prove the commitment and determination of the government in achieving the 26 percent emission cut target by 2020.”
The group has also previously said The international will and funding to protect Indonesia’s forests is there. It is therefore contradictory for Indonesia to promote further plantations at the expense of forests
The Forestry Minister, Zulkifli Hasan of Yudhoyono's Democratic party responded to the call by saying "Tell the NGOs to see me.”
PINGIT ARIA
8 comments:
The protest against deforestation of natural rainforests around the world is justified, and it is to be hoped that Indonesia formulates policy to reduce the deforestation there.
At conferences statesmen and politicians promise 'the world'. Usually all of them tend to forget ( or are not able) to keep their promise.
So I'm glad activists and NGO's keep on helping the officials' memory...
@Peter,
The government has no choice but to stop deforestation and re-plant trees, otherwise Indonesia would not be able to reduce 26% emission by 2010 as promised by the president.
@Colson,
People, especially Environmental activists, should never stop reminding the government about their promises to international community, otherwise they might forget.
I concur. As stewards of the planet thus far we have made a complete mess of it all. The more people that continue to remind world governments and industries around the globe that deforestation has to stop the better for all
Gwen Mui,
More people and NGOs should always remind governments the importance of maintaining existence of forests and well being of nature so that the world can be a good place to live.
hm,,,
I just know that sawit is bad for mother earth,,,
thx for sharing
xoxo
YULIA RAHMAWATI
Get Up,Survive, Go Back To The Bed
Yulia,
The huge sawit plantations were built by cutting and burning huge forests area which cause instability to the environment and leaving many wild life homeless.
The Greenpeace protests is a strong message to the government body regarding the seriousness of this matter.The Greenpeace are at it again and this time, they are carrying a protest against the rampant deforestation in Indonesia.
cruise and stay
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