Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
If everyone planted a tree today, some 230 million newly planted trees would be proof of Indonesia's commitment to environmental conservation, State Minister for the Environment Rachmat Witoelar said Sunday.
"Greening the country should start with individuals. Everyone can plant trees at their houses or on farmland," he said.
"There is nothing to lose but a lot to gain from this tree-planting movement.
"Planting trees in residential areas is good for local residents, helps green the country and will form part of global efforts to fight climate change."
Rachmat was speaking at an environmental event held at the Bung Karno Sports Complex in Central Jakarta on Sunday. Also present at the event were Jakarta Vice Governor Prijanto and the United Nations Special Ambassador for Millennium Development Goals in the Asia Pacific Erna Witoelar, who is also Rachmat's wife.
The event was sponsored by car maker PT Honda Prospect Motor, printing and publishing giant the Kompas Gramedia Group and paper and pulp company PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper.
Some 1000 rare trees from across the country were planted as part of the event. Trees planted included the kepel (Stelechocarpus burahol), sadeng or footstool palm (Livistona rotundifolia), sawo kecik (Manilkara Kauki), kersen or Jamaican cherry (Muntingia calabura) and trembesi or rain tree (Pithecolobium saman).
Rachmat said local governments should adhere to a 2007 law on national spatial zoning to ensure cities have enough green and open spaces to support national conservation efforts.
"Local administrations should ensure green areas are free from construction activities ... that disturb the environment," he said.
"Administrations should also set aside a certain percentage of their land to be made into open spaces where people can enjoy recreational activities and plant trees."
Local and international experts currently agree that 30 percent of any urban setting should be made up of green and open spaces.
Prijanto said his newly installed administration was still debating strategies to create more open areas in the city.
However, he said the Jakarta administration was considering procuring land for the purpose and would take firm action against anyone violating local environmental bylaws.
"All houses and buildings constructed in green areas are illegal and they will be bulldozed," he said.
"Those who build larger structures in violation of the law will be taken to court," he said.
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