Indonesia Launches Seedling Program Worth $55.6 Million (€41.1 Million)

The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry is excited to announce that it is counting on two billion tree seedlings for planting all across the country, available thanks to a special budget allocation and financial support coming from a few eco-conscious companies.

This strategy supports President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s decision of planting one billion trees every year, in order to respond in an effective manner to deforestation, an alarming phenomenon that displays growing rates.

The importance of woodlands can't be questioned, as long as the government supports its expansion, affirming that such a project will improve the air quality in the area and minimize the risks of pollution-related illnesses, protecting people's health.

“It is said that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. A billion trees a year shield the world’s lungs from decay,” said the president at the Forests Indonesia Conference in September.

The government tries to recover some of the areas that have lost their potential because of human intervention. Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan has affirmed that he's working to change the behavior of companies and most of the people by transforming them into passionate supporters of campaigns that aim to rehabilitate land.

Going green implies significant costs, since representatives have revealed that turning sterile land into beautiful, biodiverse ecosystems will take Rp 500 billion ($55.6 million / €41.1 million) out of their pockets.

It turns out that 600 million seedlings are actually pretty expensive and that once humankind took for granted Mother Nature's gifts, authorities have to make financial sacrifices to reestablish the balance of woodlands.

They will start the seedling program after establishing the right kind of seeds for each area, judging by its particular climate conditions.

Knowledge and education are the first important step in each green campaign. In order to launch a successful national project, the government depends on the cooperation of 60 million people of all ages, students and teachers.

5,1 million young participants from primary and secondary schools , 5.2 million college students and 2.9 million educators have announced their participation so far.

Also, since an eco-conscious attitude has nothing to to with age, a tree-planting campaign will be supported by kindergartens in Bali, under the close supervision of First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, who has already confirmed her presence at the event.