"It`s regrettable that we have to cut trees, if possible it should be avoided. If it is unavoidable, there should be replacement in a location not far from the original trees," the minister said here Wednesday (June 1) after the opening of the Indonesian Environment Week.
The Jakarta authorities planed to cut around 1,500 trees for the busway line.
Minister Agung said the busway is needed but if there are one thousand trees have to be cut, more trees must be planted.
Earlier, Environmental Affairs Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta said transportation is the biggest source of greenhouse gas emission in Jakarta.
"Around 47 percent of greenhouse gas emission in Jakarta is contributed by transportation and 40 percent by industry," Minister Gusti Muhammad said when visiting expo stands at the Indonesian Environment Week 2011 here Wednesday.
Based on the Indonesian environment index 2010 on the environmental condition in 2009, Jakarta was at the lowest rank because of its poor water and air quality and lack of green areas.
Among solutions offered to address the problems are a cut in the number of motor vehicles and development of mass transportation means.
"But it`s not easy and it must be carried out in stages," the environment minister said.
Commenting on the busway project, the environment minister said any development will have positive and negative impacts, but the negative impact should be minimized.
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has annoucned that this year`s theme of the World Environment Day 2011 is
"Forests: Nature at Your Service", to celebrate the multitude of services - providing clean air, housing rich biodiversity, supplying water - performed by the world`s forests.
(Uu.F001/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
