Ministers, legislators to make final decision on protected forests

Government top officials and House members will meet next week to make final decision on the utilization of protected forest areas for open mining activities, Geology and Mineral Resources Director General Wimpy S Tjetjep said on Friday as reported by Bisnis Indonesia daily.

Wimpy said attending the meeting will include Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Minister of Enviroment Nabiel Makarim, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro and Minister of Forestry M. Prakosa. They were scheduled to attend a hearing with House Commission III which deals with environment and House Commission VIII which is in charge of energy and mineral resources.

Government officials and House members have been divided over the future of protected and preservation forests following the decision of the Ministry of Environment to fully implement Law No. 41/1999. The law, issued in 1999, prohibits economic activities in protected and preservation forest areas.

The government had licensed 150 projects in protected and conservation forest areas in different parts of Indonesia prior to the issuance of Law No. 41/1999. (*)