TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-World Bank has approved US$22 million grant, or roughly Rp290 billion, to help the Forest Management Unit (KPH) in Indonesia.
“The Forest Investment Program offers an opportunity for them to improve their incomes through better management of the environment,” said Rodrigo Chaves, World Bank Country Director for Indonesia.
According to him, people who live near forest rely heavily on forest area for their source of income. They are also one of the most poor people in the country. The fund will be utilized to eradicate poverty among the people.
In addition, the fund can be used to enhance tropical forest management and push down environmental degradation. Moreover, Indonesia is the country with third largest tropical forest area.
Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) contributes 40 million kroner, or equal to US$5 million, to the total grant. The grant was generated from a global initiative known as Forest Investment Program (FIP).
KPH is one of the top priority programs in the National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN). The program is aimed at enhancing forest governance, improving the utilization of natural resources towards sustainable development and reducing poverty of 32 million Indonesians who live near forest area. KPH is overseen by the Environmental Affairs and Forestry Ministry.
BAGUS PRASETIYO