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Launching of Co-operation in Improving Forest Management

Jakarta, Indonesia — January 31, 2008 — The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Chapter Indonesia and The National Forestry Council (Dewan Kehutanan Nasional/ DKN) jointly committed to improve forest management in Indonesia. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was officially launched on Thursday, January 31st 2008 at the Ministry of Forestry, Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta. The General Director for Land Rehabilitation and Social Forestry, the Indonesia Department of Forestry (Rehabilitasi Lahan dan Perhutanan Sosial, Departemen Kehutanan RI), Dr. Ir. Sunaryo, M. Sc, opened the launching while Ir. Wahyudi Wardojo, M. Sc, the head of Forest Research and Development Agency on behalf of The Indonesia Minister of Forestry delivered the minister’s speech. The co-operation is the significant momentum to support reformation in forestry development in Indonesia.

The MoU between DKN and TNC was signed by the chairman of DKN, Dr. Ir. Hariadi Kartodihardjo and Ms. Rili Djohani the Country Director of TNC chapter Indonesia. In this event, it was also signed a Memorandum of understanding between TNC and the Indonesia Forestry Entrepreneurs Association (Asosiasi Pengusaha Hutan Indonesia/APHI) by Ms. Djohani and Mr. Nana Suparna, Deputy General of Forest Production.

The main goal of the MoUs are improving forest management and policy and making forest products standard legality as a mainstream element to achieve sustainable forest management in Indonesia. Hariadi said, ”I think the government should formulate standards of the regulations that also would protect the environment.”

It is known that Indonesia possesses 123 million acres forest. This makes Indonesia forest becomes the world lung. Forest is categorized the most important natural resources for the environment, social and national economy.

Following the fast growing population, Indonesia forestry development faces many challenges either in policy or ground operational. Illegal logging, deforestation and degradation are some of the major problems that the Indonesian Government has to deal with. Moreover, the Indonesian government should support to implement the regulation.

The growing of climate change issues in the globe has a big influence for forest management in Indonesia. This is mainly in line to the implementation of Reduce Emission from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) plan in Indonesia.

To overcome these challenges, the Indonesian Government and all stakeholders must take real action to make improvement in strategic areas. The Indonesian Government should support forest investment and provide extensive business approach for public and forest conservation. Therefore, a responsible and sustain forest management can be achieved. In addition, developing ... is also needed. This requires attention and cooperation from various stakeholders e. g. government, local authorities, businesses, civil organization and other organizations who have concern to forest and forestry.

National Forestry Council (Dewan Kehutanan Nasional/DKN) is an organization established by Indonesia forestry Congress IV in 2007 and legalised by Minister of Forestry regulation number P.39/Menhut-II/2007. Its vision is creating good forestry governance to develop MASYARAKT SEJAHTERA AND sustainable forest. DKN’s functions are formulating forest policy; facilitating and mediating relationship among stakeholders in forestry practices; providing information on forestry; and also evaluating forestry practices system.

The growing of climate change issues in the globe has a big influence for forest management in Indonesia. This is mainly in line to the implementation of Reduce Emission from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) plan in Indonesia.

The Nature Conservancy is an international conservation organization with its mission is “to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.” TNC has worked in Indonesia since 1991. One of TNC’s terrestrial programs in Indonesia is Responsible Asia Forestry and Trade (RAFT). This program promotes responsible timber trade and sustainable management of forest resources in regional scale. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.

National Forestry Council (Dewan Kehutanan Nasional/DKN) is an organization established by Indonesia forestry Congress IV in 2007 and legalised by Minister of Forestry regulation number P.39/Menhut-II/2007. Its vision is creating good forestry governance to develop MASYARAKT SEJAHTERA AND sustainable forest. DKN’s functions are formulating forest policy; facilitating and mediating relationship among stakeholders in forestry practices; providing information on forestry; and also evaluating forestry practices system.

APHI is a non profit organization. This organization is a forum for Forest Concession Rights (HPH) as well as Industrial Forest Plantation Rights (HPHTI) companies established on November 21, 1983.