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Title: Indonesia Receives US$125mn to Restore Peatlands
Date: 19-Oct-2016
Category: Peatland restoration
Source/Author: Tempo.co
Description: TEMPO.CO, Palembang - A number countries have provided Indonesia with assistance funds totaling US$125 million to restore peatlands in several provinces for the next few years.

TEMPO.CO, Palembang - A number countries have provided Indonesia with assistance funds totaling US$125 million to restore peatlands in several provinces for the next few years.

“The funds will be used for peatland restoration endeavors for the next three years,” Peatland Restoration Agency (BRG) head Nazir Foead said in Palembang, South Sumatera, on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, after observing peatlands with Norwegian Ambassador to Indonesia Stig Traavik.

Nazir revealed the assistance funds came from Norway, the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and other European countries. In addition, the donor countries provided assistances related to technology and sent their experts.

Nazir explained that Norway also helped to map peatlands and related projects worth US$15 million. With such aids, Nazir expressed optimism that the target to restore 2.4 million hectares of peatlands in seven provinces would be achieved.

Traavik pointed out that South Sumatera has almost inaccessible peatlands; making it difficult to extinguish land fires. He suggested that prevention efforts would be the best option to mitigate the peatland fire risks.

South Sumatera governor Alex Noerdin welcomed Norway’s plan to provide assistance funds to restore peatlands in the region. He also said that the government would not be able to restore peatlands without help from other countries.

Alex revealed that the size of damaged peatlands has reached 700,000 hectares, and restoring each hectare would cost Rp30 million (US$2,300).

“Norway is also helping us to restore 150,000 hectares of forests in Sembilang Dangku,” he said.

PARLIZA HENDRAWAN



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