Biodiversity for National Security

Indonesia’s biodiversity is a national asset that should be utilized and protected. "Its existence must be maintained, including against the rise of foreign efforts to take illegal benefits to health or science," said Professor of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecotourism Department, Faculty of Forestry, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Prof. Dr. Ir. Hadi S. Alikodra, in the Monthly Discussion of the Faculty Forestry.

One significant potential that needs immediate attention is the genetic potential. Genetic values are a great opportunity in the efforts in achieving the nation’s prosperity. "My observations also conclude that this nation is greatly potential to be a great and strong nation if it is consistently able to make biodiversity the major power of national development," continued Prof. Alikodra.

According to Prof. Alikodra, in order to secure its biodiversity, the government has issued various laws on biodiversity. The laws have an essential role in the implementation of national biodiversity conservation policies, and the role of the government of Indonesia in international forums. The Biodiversity Discussion for the Indonesia people’s National Security to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of 50 years of the Faculty of Forestry, moderated by Ir. Haryanto R. Putro, MS, invited two speakers:  Prof. Dedy Darnaedi (Head of The Center for Biological Research LIPI) and Ir. Atung Dedi Radiansyah (Assistant Deputy for Biodiversity and Land Degradation Control in the Ministry of Environment Deputy III). (Mtd)