"If we want to promote forest preservation, we have to think of the livelyhood and the source of income of the people who live aroud the forest," the presient noted.
The head of state made the remark during a gathering with the people who live around Gunung Gede Pengrango National Park in Cianjur district, West Java.
President Yudhoyono also said he respected the initiative of an institution which launched an empowerment program for the people around the national park in an effort to reforestate the area.
"I have also instructed all governors, district heads and mayors to think of the people`s welfare when they impose a regulation to ban tree felling in forests," the president said during the gathering at Ciputri village in Pacet sub district, Cianjur.
In the company of First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, the president and his entourage have to walk for about 2 km along a muddy trail to reach Ciputri village for the gathering.
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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
