WWF demonstrates REDD scheme in Papua

Antara ,  Jayapura   |  Wed, 07/23/2008 3:12 PM  |  Environment

The Papua branch of the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) Indonesia is holding a demonstration on the Reducing Emission from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) scheme in Sentani, Jayapura, from July 23 to 24, 2008.

The REDD scheme campaign is aimed at promoting sustainable forest management in Papua, WWF-Indonesia Region Sahul Papua director Benja V Mambai said here on Wednesday.

The campaign was organized in cooperation with Papua's REDD Working Group, NGOs, universities and local traditional communities, he said.

WWF Indonesia hailed Papua Governor Barnabas Suebu's commitment to preserving forests in Papua, Indonesia's eastern most province, he said.

Governor Suebu adopted a forestry policy banning illegal logging activities and trading.

The Papua administration also committed to exploiting the region's natural resources for the welfare of Papua's 1.5 million people who are mostly poor and living in and around forests.

Under the REDD Scheme advanced countries are expected to provide incentives to developing countries which protect their forests and stop deforestation in order to reduce carbon emissions, according to Lie Tangkepayung, communication officer of the WWF Indonesia Region Sahul.

Carbon emission cuts were expected to significantly help curb climate change, he said.(**)

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