Why Povery Still can be Found in Jati Forest Area? : President Jokowi

President Jokowi takes picture with Heads of Regional Governments at the Commemoration of National Environment Day of 2017, at Manggala Wana Bhakti, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Jakarta, Wednesday (2/8) (Photo: PR/ Oji)

In regards to peat problem, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo firmly said that corrective action must be changed. It needs to see the real condition to address the problems of peat moratorium as well as sustainability. The President is very happy because Peat Restoration Agency (BRG) has been established and has started to show a good progress.

“However, I want a concrete result, a great result. In addition, we must also protect our primary forests, so our people can get benefitsfrom these forests,” the President said at the Commemoration of National Environment Day of 2017, at Manggala Wana Bhakti, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Jakarta, Wednesday (2/8) morning.

On that occasion, the President asked why forests in Indonesia cannot make people prosperous like Sweden and Finland.

“Let’s see. Do our jati (teak) forests bring benefits for their surrounding people? In fact, poverty still can be found there.”

The President emphasized that this condition must be amended so the forests can bring benefits for the people living near the area. Indonesia, the President added, needs to increase their prosperity and improve food security through agroforestry, in particular silvopasture.

Therefore, the President asked all to work on these issues seriously. He reminded all that in the future, Indonesia needs a renewable food security. It is expected that there will be forests that can provide this renewable energy and bring economic benefits for the people.“There are a lot of things that we can do to manage our forests,” the President said while adding that he will always follow this issue. “All related parties must work faithfully and be responsible,” the President firmly said.

After opening National Working Meeting on Environment and Forestry, President Jokowi signed the First Day Cover Stampof 2017Environment Series, and followed by planting a tree in Lukito Aryadi Arboretum as the Landmark of Indonesia Forest.

The President planted a jati (teak) tree, while, Minister of Environment and Forestry planted a pala (nutmeg) tree and signed the inscription of the Landmark of Indonesia Forest on fossil wood. (DND/OJI/ES) (MMB/YM/Naster)