GTZ Grants 2 Million Euros for East Kalimantan's Reforestation
Thursday, 14 February, 2008 | 16:49 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Samarinda: The German financial organization GTZ has granted two million Euros in funds for reforestation activities in East Kalimantan.
The working items of cooperation with the East Kalimantan's Forestry Service, which was signed on Thursday (14/2), did not mention funds for forest fire handling.

Georg Buchholz, GTZ's Principle Advisor for Strengthening the Management Capacities at the Ministry of Forestry (SMCP), said that the funds also contained a share for the Forestry Department as the activities such as national forestry programs involve the Forestry Department.

On the other hand, East Kalimantan is only a pilot project in the region.

"This is for reforestation and forest management to preserve the forests," he said.

In the forest management cooperation in East Kalimantan, there are four items of activity that will use the funds: forest management unity development; national forestry programs; payment of environmental services related to REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradations); and organization capacity building for supporting reforestation.

Tunggul Butarbutar, East Kalimantan GTZ's Coordinator, said that in principle, the agreed cooperation was opening opportunities for the general public to be involved in determining forest management policy.

This is considered important because up until now people living near the forests have not been paid enough attention.

"Such as formulating regional regulations relating to forest and land fires that have already been carried out," he said.

As regards fund support for forest and land fire in East Kalimantan, according to Tanggul, it is no longer a priority as GTZ has long been supporting through the YPPM.

While supporting forest and land fire handling, GTZ has also donated several pieces of equipment.

Budi Pranowo, Head of the Forestry Service, said he would support the cooperation as long as it did not it burden the region.

According to him, the Forestry Service has work programs for reforestation and involvement of the public near forests.

"If it is actually in line (with us), we'll allow it, including the funding. If it is a debt, why should we do it?" he said.

Firman