D’Green Community targets South Sumatra forest

Community members, from students to activists from non-governmental groups, have set up the South Sumatra D’Green Community to restore the province’s forests and raise awareness on the issue.
The community planted 1,000 trees and released 10,000 fish in Jakabaring area, Palembang, to mark its inauguration day late last month.
D’Green Community leader Dodi Reza Alex said the sustainable program requires a person to plant a tree to help restore the deteriorating condition of the forest in the province at an early stage.
“To restore the forest, we must involve various elements who care about the environment.”
The movement is hoped to
encourage people to join the
reforestation drive through the simple method of a person planting a tree.  
“We hope the activity can be carried out on a sustainable basis so the forest could be restored.”  
To make the program a success, the movement will require 7 million tree seedlings.
The program has also received support from the South Sumatra provincial administration.
Governor Alex Noerdin said restoring the forest was the joint duty of the administration, the community and other stakeholders.
“We will also make efforts to
prevent environmental damage, such as conversion and illegal logging. The reforestation drive would be a waste if forest conversion is still rampant.”
Community member Muhammad Syafei, 21, appreciated the
one-person-one-tree program, but said society should help the
provincial administration tackle
the issue.
“The administration should be extra selective in issuing forest conversion permits to estate or mining companies. Violaters should be harshly sanctioned, including those involved in environmental damage,” said Syafei, a private university student in Palembang.
South Sumatra Walhi recently disclosed 60 percent, or 2.2 million hectares of the 3.7 million hectares of forest in South Sumatra were damaged due to forest conversion and illegal logging and the issuance of concession permits for plantations in conservation areas.
“Not to mention conservation areas such as the Bentayan, Gunung Raya and Isau Isau Pasemah wildlife refuges,” said South Sumatra Walhi director Anwar Sadat.
He said forest destruction in South Sumatra was dominated by conversion activities, illegal logging and land clearance.
The government has played an indirect role, such as the decision
by the forestry minister on the planned clearance of 600 hectares of mangrove forest in Banyuasin regency to make way for Tanjung Api Api Port.
“We all know the mangrove forest is part of the buffer zone of the Sembilang National Park. The area is also a habitat for rare wildlife species,” Anwar said.