Indonesia signs $1 billion deal to slow logging

[Ed Barrow]

Source: The Age

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has announced a two-year moratorium on new logging concessions, part of a deal with Norway under which Indonesia will receive up to $US1 billion if it adheres to a letter of intent signed by the two countries in Oslo yesterday.

The initiative was welcomed by environmentalists, although it will curb Indonesian's lucrative palm oil industry and possibly delay or slow plans for the creation of a massive agricultural estate in Papua province.

Dr Yudhoyono said Indonesia had to balance its need for economic development with its responsibilities to prevent a rise in carbon emissions, which many scientists say are responsible for global warming.

''Indonesia is really able to maintain its tropical forests, meaning that we maintain the lungs of the world,'' Dr Yudhoyono said, according to the official Antara news agency.


Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/world/indonesia-signs-1bn-deal-to-slow-logging-20100527-whkm.html

[msongs]

1. pocket the one bil and go back to logging in 2 yrs lol nt

[depakid]

2. An impressive effort- helped along by ... Prince Charles

For more on that- check the cool stuff out here:

http://www.rainforestsos.org/

[hatrack]

3. Yes, I'm sure the Indonesian government will rigorously enforce this agreement

Given their outstanding track record on forest protection (and environmental issues generally) who could possibly doubt the word of President Yudhoyono?

:puke: