TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Siti Nurbaya, Minister of Environment and Forestry, said that the U.S. government has provided a grant US$2.9 million for the restoration of Indonesian forests.
"Yesterday President Joko Widodo told us that America is willing to help by granting US$2.9 million for start. It is our duty in the Ministry to follow up with a good plan," Siti said on Friday, November 13, antaranews reported.
Siti said her ministry has developed a large-scale forest restoration program, which requires a high budget.
With the current condition of Indonesian forests, she said, restoration will be prioritized on field work by managing the land, rearranging drainage systems, as well as improving the regulations on forest-use.
"This massive restoration, as [Vice President] Pak Kalla said, requires a huge budget. We are hoping for international support," she said.
ANTARA | RR