Indonesia Looks To Get Local Residents to Protect Rare Animals
International Animal Rescue - May 9, 2008
Forestry officials in Indonesia have revealed they are working with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to improve conservation efforts in the country.
The Jakarta Post reported that the two agencies would work together to set up more model conservation villages around protected forests and nature preserves.
Forestry minister M S Ka’ban, explained to the paper: “Through the conservation villages project, we hope local people will help us to preserve forests.”
It is hoped that the villages will help protect wildlife habitats through reductions in pollution and deforestation.
The ministry’s director general of forest preservation added that it was vital those living near areas where rare animals were found were given the right information about conservation.
“As a start, we must give people who live nearby the protected areas the correct information about forest preservation so as to maximise the benefits through conservation,” the spokesperson told the paper.
“People must understand they will gain greater access to clean water through environment preservation.”
Alan Knight, chief executive of charity International Animal Rescue, which runs a primate rehabilitation centre in Indonesia, said: “We welcome the news of this new conservation initiative. Experience has shown us that it is vital to enlist the cooperation of local people if we are to have any success in protecting and preserving endangered wildlife.
