InfoSAWIT, SIAK –Tens of campaigners and environmental activists, on Wednesday morning (20/9), gathered in the office of Regent of Siak. They, who always vocalize about the environmental issues, intentionally visited the office because the district has got the new predicate, “The Truly Malay”. The activists officially represented 18 civil society organizations (CSO) to discuss their thought about the environmental development policy that regional government of Siak proposed.

Many districts and cities in Indonesia rarely have the status as ‘Green District’. District of Siak is the first one having it that Secretary of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya Bakar had proposed in the National Environment Day in 2016. It is a history that “Pesta Anugerah Adipura” was the first time done out side of the Istana Negara. It moved to the front of Istana Asserayah El Hasyimiyah in Siak Sri Indrapura in June 2016.

The group of CSO and perkumpulan Elang, one CSO that proposed the meeting, gathered to have field meeting and visit. They were welcomed by the Government Assistant officer in duty, L Budhi Yuwono, the Development officer in duty, Syafirlenti, and Head of Tourism, Fausi Asni. After introducing their organizations and programs (‘Green CSO), there came supports to accelerate the implementation of Green District of Siak that is called ‘Sodagho Siak’ which means brotherhood of Siak in Malayan language.

“This is a good forum for us as the appreciation and support of the realization of Green District of Siak. In the first place, we got information that you (ladies and gentlement) did the first meeting to formulate the form of support,” Budhi Yuwono said, as the official statement that InfoSAWIT got.

He also mentioned, the environmental issue is one sector that the regent focuses. Some time ago, Negeri Istana had disaster – the worst fire in the forest and areas. But the good cooperation among the regional government, the private and the people, he continued, in this year, there is no more fire and could be significantly be pressed.

“The regent really concerns about the environmental issue. It is seen from the preparation to be the host of National Environment Day in less than two months. For the lead and order from the regent, the National Environment Day event run well,” he said.

Development Officer in duty, Syafrilenti said, the concept of Green District is the response on the environment situation and condition after the fire that day. In addition, he mentioned, the peat zones in Siak were wide and it needs united development policy to control the advantage and could be sustainable too.

“The commitment of Siak to conserve the environment is also supported by some factors, they are, the conservation regions are dominated by the primer natural forests in the region. Besides the people’ participation to protect the environment is good enough,” he said. He also mentioned, District of Siak, as could as it is possible, should advantage the natural resources but still orients to increase the people’s economy.

“District of Siak commits to the conservation. It is supported by some conservation areas which are dominated by primer natural forest in the region. Besides the people still higly participate to protect the environment itself,” he said.

Susanto Kurniawan of Elang, one organization in the meeting of “Mewujudkan Kabupaten Hijau Dalam Pemanfaatan SDA dan Penlngkatan Ekonomi Masyarakat Lintas Generasi" admired what District of Siak commits to conserve the environment.

“The Green District concept is very interesting for us in the CSO that focuses to environmental issue and we want to participate in it. In this forum, we would contribute through discussion to implement the Green District,” Sonny said and promised to complete the first data that the district has had.

“We are ready to contribute to realize the Green District. After the concept is done, there would be action plans to be realized,” he said as the representation of CSO in the meeting.

Some top CSO nationally and in Riau province, and also Yayasan Lingkar Pesisir in District of Siak also took part in the meeing. Some of the 17 CSOs committing to support Green Districts are Elang, Jaringan masyarakat Gambut Riau (JMGR), Fitra Riau, Walhi Riau, Jikalahari, Yayasan Mitra Insani (YMI), Madani, Lingkar Temu Kabupaten Lestari, Rainforest Alliance, Winrock, Conservation Strategy Fun, Serikat Petani Kelapa Sawit (SPKS), Word Resources Institute, Eco Nusantara, and Green Peace Indonesia.

The mission proposed in the meeting with CSO is to realize the balance between the environmental conservation and the increasing economy for the local people. The next is there would be supports of CSO to District of Siak by making social activity within the fund support from non Regional Budget and non National Budget.(T2)