Kuala Kapuas, Central Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan and Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Gregory Laurence Moriarty launched model REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) villages in Kapuas District, Central Kalimantan Province.

"The launching of the model REDD villages was done by Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan, Australian Ambassador Gregory Laurence Moriarty, the Central Kalimantan governor represented by Deputy Governor Achmad Diran and Kapuas District Head Mawardi at Katunjung village on Thursday, September 15, 2011," Sapto Subagio, a spokesman of the Kapuas District administration said here on Friday.

Katunjung village had been selected as the venue of the REDD pilot project through the Kalimantan Forest Climate Partnership (KFCP) program.

In addition to Katunjung village, other villages selected as pilot projects were Mantangai Hulu, Kalumpang, Sei Ahas and Tumbang Muroi in Mantangai sub district, and Petak Puti village in Timpah sub district.

Kapuas District Head M Mawardi said some 1.2 billion tree seedlings had been planted by residents of the seven villages this year.

The tree seedling nursing activity involved at least 1,684 people from the seven villages under the KFCP program, he said.

"Local residents have received incentives totaling Rp635 million in June 2011, and Rp785 million in August 2011. A total of Rp6 billion has been allocated for the payment of the incentives to the local people until March 2012," he said.
(Uu.F001/HAJM)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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