Kalla remarked that smoke from peat forest fires in Indonesia has been caused by logging activities conducted by foreign companies since 1960.
"Many foreign companies came in the 1960s and 1970s to log in Indonesia and destroyed the forest," the vice president said, while opening an international discussion on solutions to forest fires and smoke crises. The event was held at the Shangrila Hotel on Friday.
He said many foreign companies have invested in Indonesia by taking the country's timber and processing it into furniture in their own country.
"The wooden furniture we find in America or any other countries is largely from the forests of Indonesia. And because it is excessive, the forests in Indonesia became bare and there are smoke disasters today," he added.
Therefore, Vice President Kalla said settlement of forest fires and smoke problems, such as those that occurred in the last three months, requires shared cooperation among all parties.
Thee Ministry of Environment and Forests (LHK) sponsored the International Discussion to seek long-term solutions to the crisis of fire and smoke in Indonesia, with a focus on sustainable peatland management.
The discussion was attended by 220 participants, including experts from Indonesia, in a bid to determine the best long-term solution in peat forest management.
Also present were Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, LHK Minister Siti Nurbaya, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution and the Norwegian Ambassador to Indonesia, Stig Traavik.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
