Maritime Department to Manage Nature Conservation Programs

Thursday, 05 March, 2009 | 16:41 WIB 

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Forestry Department has handed over the management of eight natural conservation areas to the Maritime and Fishery Department. The transitional management period is scheduled to take place at least six months after the handover. The tasks were handed over by Forestry Minister Malam Sambat Kaban to Maritime Minister Freddy Numberi yesterday. 

The handover of the areas was carried out following the enactment of Law no. 31/2004 on Fishery and Coastal Areas and Small Islands Management. “We hope the management will improve. We must also give our support during the transitional period,” Kaban said. 

The eight locations are the natural maritime conservation areas in Banda Ocean, Aru Ocean, Gilimeno and Gilitrawangan, Padeido Archipelago, and the islands of Panjang and Piyeh. Maritime Minister Freddy Numberi said his department will immediately prepare the human resources and institutional process required. After the handover, he plans to involve people in related economic projects. 

DIAN YULIASTUTI