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PALANGKA RAYA – After the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) had been ongoing for three years, Central Kalimantan Province was finally declared as a prioneer, ahead of other provinces.

Governor of Central Kalimantan, Mr. Agustin Teras Narang, did not think that this programme belonged to Central Kalimantan only and thereby he would like to invite everyone –including district, provincial and national governments and NGOs- to collaboratively support its implementation. “REDD+ is not only for the sake of Central Kalimantan. This is a joint programme for this nation and this world. Therefore, whoever the future leader of this province will be, REDD+ should always be implemented,” said Mr. Teras Narang in an Environmental Stakeholder Forum meeting, held at the Hall of Eka Hapakat, on the third floor of the Governor’s office, on Wednesday (10/9).

According to Mr. Teras Narang, Central Kalimantan was declared as a pioneer after being deemed able to implement REDD+ and make gradual changes in the environment surrounding forests [sic].

In this regard, as a follow up of the said programme, a coordination meeting was held, attended by the Provincial Secretary, Mr. Siun Jarias; Director of UNORCID, Mr. Satya Tripathi; Deputy for Operations, the National REDD+ Agency, Mr. William Palitondok Sabandar; Deputy Secretary-General of AMAN, Ms. Mina Susena Setra; district heads/mayors and vice district heads/vice mayors, heads of local government work units, and respected members of local and customary communities, etc.

On that occasion, Mr. Teras Narang said that since the commencement of REDD+ in 2010, many activities had been implemented to communicate it to local communities.

He admitted, however, that the concrete success remained unable to be seen, because what had been done in the past three years was introducing this national programme.

“We have obtained many lessons since the beginning of the programme. It needs a long time for the programme to reach its success. The success is not visible as we are still in the early stage,” he explained.

REDD+, Mr. Teras Narang added, would keep moving to the next stages. The REDD+ Joint Secretariat of Central Kalimantan had implemented many activities related to the introduction of the programme, how this programme would provide benefits for particularly the sub-national and national levels, and for the world in general.

Mr. Teras Narang admitted that there had been criticisms and inputs given to REDD+ implementers in Central Kalimantan, but he considered them as vitamins to do better by working harder.

On the same occasion, according to Director of UNORCID, Mr. Satya Tripathi, REDD+ for communities’ improved lives is the responsibility of the government. Therefore, the UN is responsible for supporting this goal.

Mr. Tripathi said that studies showed that around 85 percent of the Gross Sub-National Product came from forests. Therefore, economic growth had been integrated into REDD+ with a view to providing benefits for communities.

While REDD+ is not an alternative for development, it can be viewed as an altenative for development. Against this backdrop, the UN needs to support what is being done by Norway that has provided funding for Indonesia’s REDD+. (adn)