Gov continues trees for life

JAYAPURA, Papua: Papua governor Barnabas Suebu and a number of officials planted trees in Hobong village, Sentani Dam, Jayapura, on Monday as part "Trees for Life" -- a national movement to plant 1 million trees.

The environmental effort was also attended by police chief Insp. Gen. Bagus Ekodanto, XVII/Cenderawasih military commander Mayor Gen. Agus Nasution, Papua legislative council chairman John Papua and Family Welfare Program supporting team leader Merry Suebu Tokoro.

"Trees for life; without trees life will vanish. Cutting down trees means welcoming disaster. That's why we need to plant as many trees as possible to repair and preserve our environment," Suebu said, adding that Hobong, located in the center of Sentani dam, was once a thick forest home to a wide variety of tree species. The forest has been destroyed by illegal logging.

Merry Suebu said all regions in Papua were taking part in the effort to plant trees, which is being sponsored by a pro-environment women's group. -- JP