The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 11/26/2009 6:24 PM
Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan says the government will rehabilitate 2.5 million hectares of critical forest area over the next five years through a program that involves local residents
Under the community forest program, a family will be granted the right to manage up to 15 hectares of forest area for a maximum 35 years. The family will be allowed to cultivate plants of their choice, including rubber trees.
“In the past a resident could control millions of hectare of forest, which certainly defies the sense of justice,” Zulkilfi said as quoted by Antara.
The government will also provide forest rehabilitation fund to help the residents manage the forest, Zulkifli said.
“Through the program we aim to rehabilitate forest and improve the welfare of people living near the forest,” he added.
The government estimates about 16,000 families live near forest areas across the country.
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