TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government plans to alter 22 million acres of production forest to plantation and farms in order to meet energy and food demands. Bedjo Santoso, an official from the Environment and Forestry Ministry, said that the government has set a target of opening up to nine million acres of new agricultural fields in the next five years.
"Deforestation is not always negative," said Bedjo. "If we do not convert forest [areas], when do we get [new] land?" Bedjo added.
Bedjo also showed his support for the conversion of forest areas into palm oil plantation "as long as the process is carefully planned." Bedjo said that palm oil plantation will be able to produce renewable energy that is needed by the global community and provides a countribution to the national economy.
On the other hand, Ismayadi Samsoedin from Indonesia Tree Friend Foundation, claimed that deforestation threatens biodiversity. "It will eliminate the forest's function as water catchment area, carbon storage, and [disrupts] ecosystem balance," Ismayadi said.
Responding to the disagreement, the government claimed that it will remain committed to reduce forest deforestation rate.
L AHMAD NURHASIM