"This refers to Ministerial Regulation No. 9 of 2021 concerning social forestry management, which has placed the social forestry program as a collaborative scheme for the management of forest areas," the province's regional secretariat assistant, Alfian, said here on Wednesday.
According to him, utilizing existing land, business opportunities, and human resources through the social forestry program can support the community economically, while still prioritizing the functions and benefits of forest resources sustainably.
The West Kalimantan provincial government expects the collaborative scheme to help communities living near forests drive economic development in the region.
For this reason, it is necessary to accelerate community empowerment programs and activities, such as the development of business products in the form of timber and non-timber products and environmental services.
"We hope that the existence of FP-V (Forest Program V) in West Kalimantan can provide benefits by improving community welfare, forest sustainability, and the environment," Alfian said.
Forest Program V can also increase the capacity of acting apparatus and policymakers within the scope of the West Kalimantan provincial government and the Sanggau district administration in terms of managing forests and the environment, he elaborated.
The success of environment and forestry development in West Kalimantan must be supported by all stakeholders and with the help of an expansive network, he added.
"Especially at the regional and national scope, starting from the district government, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, academicians, and professionals in their fields," he said.
Alfian also highlighted the need for formulating a joint commitment or agreement based on various suggestions and inputs received to make the social forestry program a success.
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Translator: Rendra O, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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