World Bank: Forestry Management Really Bad
Thursday, 22 February, 2007 | 12:45 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The World Bank has said it considers that forestry management in Indonesia has been so awful that it has triggered quite serious environment damage.

More than 25 million hectares of forest in Indonesia—equal to the size of Great Britain—are totally leafless.

The World Bank revealed this in its newest report entitled “Strategic Options For Aiding Indonesian Forests: Preserving Economic Growth, Rural Sustenance and Benefit of the Environment” which was launched yesterday (02/21).

Josef Leitmann, Head Environment Specialist at the World Bank, has said that the report, jointly prepared by six other donor organizations, was aimed at studying how donor organizations and development agencies may assist forestry players such as the government, private parties, or members of the general public, to carry out forest management and more long-lasting and fair forest management programs.

In the report, it was also stated that forest management matters were part of the development of Indonesia.

The reason was that forests are national assets and sources of sustenance for 10 million of the 36 million poor people of Indonesia.

Forest extinction, the report said, would endanger the liviliehoods of rural people, environmental services and the capability of Indonesia to eradicate poverty.

Weak forest management would also ruin Indonesia's investment climate, rural economic potential, competitiveness and reputation in the eyes of the world community.

The World Bank has observed that there are still chances for countries and donor organizations to aid Indonesia in finding ways of managing forest: partnership with local people, for instance.

Head Representative of the World Bank for Indonesia Andrew Steer said that it now was a crucial moment for Indonesia to implement policies to further save Indonesian forests.

AGUS SUPRIYANTO