Tachrir Fathoni Director-General, Natural Resources Conservation and Ecosystem, Forestry Ministry
We need tough forest rangers

For the past five years, the forestry ministry has been recruiting young people in a program called Bakti Rimbawan (Foresters Service), aimed at placing young graduates in forests to carry out conservation work. Besides to assist in prevention of deforestation, the main task of Bakti Rimbawan volunteers is to 'train' and involve communities living around forests to care for their environment.

The program has been inundated with applicants. About 5,000 youngsters have applied to be posted to different areas dotted around the country for a period of two years. In that time, the young foresters work under the management of the Forestry Management Unit (KPH).