President Prepares National Park Fund Task Force Led by Hashim Djojohadikusumo

JAKARTA - Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni revealed plans to form a Task Force for Financing and Management of National Parks.

This task force was prepared when 57 national parks in Indonesia, according to him, had been managed with minimal funds and "as is".

Raja Juli said the task force would be formed through a Presidential Decree and led by President Prabowo's brother, Hashim Djojohadikusumo. He was appointed as deputy chairman along with Mari Elka Pangestu.

"Until now, national parks have been managed as they are and with very little funding," Raja Juli told reporters after meeting the president, Thursday, March 12.

According to Raja Juli, the government wants to find more innovative and sustainable funding schemes, including by involving the private sector. One of the options prepared is the establishment of a Public Service Agency or BLU so that national parks can manage their own funds.

Raja Juli gave an example of Rinjani National Park. From non-tax state revenues of around Rp50 billion from visitors, who return to the area only around Rp10 billion. The rest goes to the Ministry of Finance.

He emphasized that national parks would not be directed towards mass tourism. The scheme prepared is ecotourism, with the aim of maintaining forests and wildlife, while the commercial results are used to finance conservation areas.

Way Kambas itself will be one of three pilot projects. Two other locations are still being discussed, including the possibility of Rinjani. For Way Kambas, King Juli said presidential assistance was also prepared for fences, embankments, and ecosystem restoration. From the initial calculation of a maximum of Rp. 2 trillion, the budget needs are now estimated at around Rp. 839 billion.