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| SAVE FORESTS NOW, PRESIDENT YUDHOYONO SAYS |
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2006/4/25
Makassar, South Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called for efforts to save the country`s forests, environment and natural resources immediately and without delay as deforestation in Indonesia has been in alarming condition.
"Save the forests and other natural resources now! not tomorrow, not the day after today!," the Head of State said when dedicating Hasanuddin University`s Green Community as part of the commemoration of Earth Day at the university`s campus at Tamalanrea here on Sunday.
On the occasion, the president was accompanied by First Lady Mme. Ani udhoyono, Minister for National Education Bambang Soedibyo, South Sulawesi Governor HM Amin Syam and Rector of the University of Hasanuddin Prof Dr Idrus Patturusi.
The President further said that about 59 million hectares of forests in the country had been damaged and the condition might get worse as some two millions hectares of forest areas were damaged annually due to illegal logging activities, which also harmed the flora and fauna ecosystem.
The forest damages, he said would not only accelerate the extinction of endemic flora and fauna species that are only found in Indonesia, but also trigger some catastrophes, including floods, landslides, lack of clean water, climate change and forest fires that export smoke to neighboring states every years.
He, therefore called on all parties to be seriously involved in the efforts to save the forests, conserve the intact forest areas, control the exploitation of forests` natural resources, and optimally prevent the forests from being further damaged.
He also instructed to prevent forest fires to stop reoccurrence of `shameful exports of haze` to the neighboring countries.
The head of state praised Hasanuddin University for being the first university establishing the green community as part of its commitment to the promotion of the people`s environmental awareness, and encouraging the people to be actively involved in the preservation of the environment and the natural resources in the region.
"From this university`s campus, let`s launch the fight against illegal logging activities. We fight against the stealing of the forest products, illegal trading of illegal timber abroad, and other activities damaging the forests," he added.
He also expressed hope that the university`s commitment to save the environment and natural resources would encourage other universities, institutions and public organizations to do similar things.
The President called on the whole nation to plant and grow trees, and increase efficiency in the usage of water, electricity, phone and fuel.
The president and his entourage marked the Earth Day commemoration by planting some endemic trees of South Sulawesi, such as ebony tree.
Patturusi said the university would allocate around 38 hectares of its total 200 hectares of land to be planted with 28 kinds of trees. The university also manages a 1,300-hectare educational forest. (*) |
| Source:http://www.antara.co.id |
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