Jakarta opens Flora and Fauna expo

The Jakarta Park Agency opened on Tuesday the Flora and Fauna Expo at Banteng Square in Central Jakarta.

"Around 360 participants are displaying different kinds of flora and fauna during the exhibition, which will run from June 21 to July 25,” the agency's head Catharina Setyowati said.

The expo will open everyday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., but on the weekend it will open until 9 p.m.

More than 500,000 visitors visited the expo last year, Catharina said.

The agency expects more visitors this year thanks to a better venue layout, which also features outbound activities, workshops and contests for visitors.

Governor Fauzi Bowo, who officiated the expo, called on residents to start planting gardens in their backyards to make the city greener.

"Of course, we need workshops and contests on environmentally friendly issues. But, the most important thing is we need real action [from the residents]," he said. (rpt)