"One billion Indonesian trees for world" launched

Antara 22 Mar 10;

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government has launched a more massive tree planting program called "One Billion Indonesian Trees for the World", according to the forestry ministry.

The new program was kicked off following successes in previous programs such as `Indonesian Contemporaneously Planting Action` (2007 and 2008), `Women`s Movement of Tree Planting and Caring` (2007), `Indonesian Tree Planting Day launching` and `the National Planting Month (2008)`, and `One Man One Tree`, the forestry ministry said in a statement received by ANTARA here on Monday.

The government has allocated a DIPA BA budget for procurement of 36 million seedlings this year and hopes to get 300 million more from the private sector, state companies, NGOs, regional governments and other donors.

Additional 320 million seedlings are expected to be received from Community and Rural Forest program, 300 million from Forest and River Basin Rehabilitation program, and 50 million from People`s Forest Partnership program.

The "One Billion Indonesian Trees for the World" program is also aimed at improving the welfare of the people especially those living near forest areas, according to the forestry ministry.

The ministry urged the Indonesian people to participate in the program.

"In the next five to 10 years, the Indonesian people will enjoy the beauty of a green Indonesia with prosperous and disaster-free people," the statement said.(*)