Previously, Indonesia had forests spanning some 110 million hectares. But due to degradation and deforestation, the size has reduced to just below 100 million.
“As much as 65 percent of forests are production forests, 23 percent protection forests, and 21 percent conservation forests," said Ir. Herry Subagiadi, M.Sc, Secretary at Directorate General for Natural Resources and Ecosystem in Faculty of Biology UGM on Monday (9/10) during a Seminar themed Resource Management Based on Natural Resource Conservation. The event was to celebrate the 43rd anniversary of Matalabiogama association of Faculty of Biology.
According to Herry Subagiadi, the 21 percent or 27.5 million of hectares of conservation forests were categorised into several statuses, such as wildlife and national parks. Herry explained there were many problems in terms of conservation in Indonesia, such as illegal logging which receives no close monitoring, hence, it went exacerbating.
"In the conservation forests there are many cases that have gone uncontrolled; one of the reasons is because the local people were trying to make a living. So, this is more about poverty,” he said.
Other problems are wildlife illegal poaching and trade. Counter-measures that are being undertaken have so far not resolved the issue.
"It seems that law enactment has not prioritised on the intellectuals and young people, but just on perpetrators on the field, hence the case still being unresolved,” he said.
On the potential of biodiversities in the conservation areas, Herry said, there are over 47.9 thousand, most of them are trees. Problems related to biodiversities are microbes which are a very sensitive element.
Alongside the seminar a cooperation was established between Faculty of Biology UGM and Directorate General for Natural Resources and Ecosystem. There was also book handover on forest conservation.
A speech by Director General for Natural Resources and Ecosystem, Ir. Wiratno, M.Sc, was read out by Evi Indraswati that appreciated the anniversary of Matalabiogama, saying Matalabiogama was a place to train future conservationists and environment defenders who are important for Indonesia.
"So, I would like to invite the students to visit, enjoy and explore the conservation forests,” Evi concluded.