Britain Supports Indonesia To Preserve Forests In Papua

Sorong, W. Papua (Antara Bali) - The British government will help the provincial administrations of Papua and West Papua to preserve the natural resources, especially forests.

British Ambassador to Indonesia Moazzam Malik, during his working visit to Sorong on Thursday, said the UK government is committed to preserving the natural resources of Papua and West Papua for the community in future.

He said over the past five years, the British government has been working with its Indonesian counterpart to help the administrations of Papua and West Papua manage the natural resources that prioritize sustainable livelihoods in future.

Malik said the Indonesian government has implemented several programs for preserving the natural resources, especially forests, in Papua and West Papua, which are supported by the British government, one of which is the social forestry program.

"We also help the administrations of Papua and West Papua to conduct forest spatial planning and various other programs aimed at protecting the forests in these two provinces," he said.

Ambassador Malik said the forests of Papua and West Papua are the source of life, so they should be preserved, conserved, and managed optimally to offer prosperity to the people.

"The British government is also encouraging the provincial administrations of Papua and West Papua through various community empowerment programs, so that the people can earn a livelihood and conserve the natural resources," he said.

During the work visit to Sorong, the ambassador meet with representatives of several natural resource conservation organizations in West Papua and visited the conservation forest areas in Sorong Raya for implementing future programs. (WDY)