Papuan Reforestation: Papua, Indonesia

By Barrie | December 19th, 2006 | No Comments

In an archipelago where the forests are dwindling because of land clearance and serious fires, it is good to hear of reforestation projects being launched and put into progress.

Reforestation program launched in Papua

Forestry Minister Malam Sambat Kaban on Monday launched a reforestation program at the Waena campground in Jayapura, Papua, after signing a cooperation agreement with the Papua chapter of the Indonesian National Youth Committee (KNPI).

The launch of the program, part of efforts to ensure the sustainability of Papua’s forest resources, was marked with the planting of 2,000 merbau seedlings on a one-hectare plot of land.

The program eventually will be expanded to other regencies in Papua.

A heavy rain that fell on the campground did not discourage the minister and about 300 KNPI members. “The rain shows that God approves and blesses our program. He is sending the rain to help the trees grow,” Kaban said.

The Papua chapter of the Indonesian National Youth Committee hope to make this new program a centerpiece of its efforts to protect the area’s forests.

“All youths are expected to take part in this program. Their participation can include planting and tending to the trees, or preventing them from being burned down or illegally felled,” said Rifai Darus, the chairman of the KNPI Papua chapter.

He said it was hoped the program would come to involve all residents, with the ultimate goal being to have each resident plant at least three trees.

“The population of Papua is about two million. If each person planted three trees there would be six million trees. We will green Papua,” he said.

The forestry minister also urged every citizen to get involved in the critical effort to protect the country’s forests.

Kaban said the signing of the cooperation agreement between the Forestry Ministry and the KNPI was not merely ceremonial, but would lead to real action.

Marthen Kayooi, chairman of the Papua Forestry Office, said about 3.6 million hectares of land in Papua were in critical need of re-greening.

Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura