Fateta-IPB and HGI Hold FGD About Peat Saturday, March 28, 2015

Faculty of Agricultural Technology (Fateta) of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) in collaboration with the Association of Indonesian Peat (HGI) held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) in the Meeting Room of Fateta, Dramaga Campus, Wednesday (25/3), on the topic "Mapping, Characteristics and Carbon Balance of Peat". The discussion was attended by academicians and practitioners in peatland management. Among the participating institutions were IPB, HGI, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Sinarmas Forestry and PT. Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper (PT. RAPP).

 

FGD was opened with a speech by Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,  Fateta-IPB, Prof.Dr. Budi Indra Setiawan. In his speech he hoped the meeting of this kind woukd be mutual sharing of knowledge and benefits, with the final goal to manage peatlands in Indonesia sustainably.

 

According to him, sustainable peatland management requires a good system. With a proper management system, peatlands can be prevented from becoming dry land. In this way, such cases as  frequent forest fires can be avoided.

 

On this occasion, Vice-Chairman of HGI, Prof. Dr Anwar Maas explained, apart from exchanging information, the meeting was held as a follow-up to the passing of the Government Regulation (PP) number 71/2014 on the Protection and Management of  Peat Ecosystem. So far this regulation has been considered disadvantegous to the company that operates on the peat ecosystem. "Thus, this meeting not only invites academicians but also the company itself. We are looking for the middle way, we support the government to preserve peatlands without discouraging existing companies," said Dr. Anwar Maas.

 

This peat meeting is the 10th  FGD held by HGI. It presents the results of the latest research on peat by IPB researchers and practitioners. (AS)