Farmers plant trees to save environment

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 06/06/2007 9:09 AM  |  Jakarta

Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post/Bogor

A group of farmers living on the foot of Mount Salak, Bogor, planted some 2,200 trees around their main water source Tuesday, in an effort to conserve the local environment.

Supported by non-governmental groups and private company PT Chevron Geothermal, the farmers selected hard wood trees to be planted around the one-hectare forest area, in order to absorb and replenish water.

Local farmers and villagers rely on the water for the turbines (see photo) they use to produce their electricity.

""We don't have access to electricity services from (state electricity company) PT PLN, so we rely on small micro-hydro plants,"" said Marta, the head of the group of farmers.

Marta said each of the 68 families living in Ciputri village owned a water turbine worth between Rp 800,000 to Rp 1 million.

""Each can produce between 200 watts to 300 watts of power, depending on the flow of water,"" he said.

A representative from environmental group Biodiversity Conservation Indonesia, Ardiansyah, said villages on Mount Salak, which serves as a water catchment area, were previously threatened by deforestation. -- JP/ Theresia Sufa

Photo B: stands alone photo

JP/J. Adiguna

NEARLY READY: Officers from the Jakarta transportation agency supervise the finishing touches on facilities for the Ciliwung river water taxi, prior to its launch Wednesday.

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.