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orestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan launched the Integrated Forest Management (KPH) program in Denpasar on Monday to preserve forest.

"The establishment of the KPH is expected to improve the condition of forests, enhance forest management systems and rehabilitation and reduce forest degradation," the minister said.

The KPH is also aimed at improving the protection and security of forest area.

"We hope the provincial and regional administrations work together to conserve forest by utilizing funds from the state and provincial budgets," Hasan said.

The establishment of the KPH is also expected to benefit the nearest communities and increase the stability of forest growth.

The central government has stated eight productive forest areas across Indonesia in Dampelas and Tinombo, in Central Sulawesi, Way Terusan, in Central Lampung, Sintang in West Kalimantan, Yapen in Papua, Lakitan in South Sulawesi, Poigar in North Sulawesi and Buton in Southeast Sulawesi.

The government also stated 10 conservation forest regions including Meru Betiri and Alas Purwo National Parks in East Java, West Bali National Park, Bunaken in North Sulawesi, Mount Halimun Salak in West Java, Ujung Kulon National Park, Kutai National Park in East Kalimantan, Tanjung Puting in Central Kalimantan and Rinjani National Park on Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara.

In Bali, the government stated a number of forest conservation areas including Ngurah Rai, West, Central and East Bali.

"The establishment of the KPH is urgently needed in Bali to protect the forested areas from various development projects," Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika said.

He said that forested areas in Central Bali were in poor condition.

Bali has only 130,686.01 hectares of forest in coastal, land and mountain areas. The island is now fighting to preserve and conserve its forest, also water catchment areas. Constructions of villas, hotels and other supporting facilities in many preserved areas including in Buyan Lake region in Buleleng would affect its condition.

Conflict between provincial and regional authorities on the management of the island's forests continue to cause confusion among the people and potential investors.

"I expect that every party res-pect the new government's efforts to preserve Bali forests in order to improve people's welfare," Pas-tika said.

West Bali National Park chief Bambang Darmadja, positively responded to the launch regarding the new integrated forest management program.