Jakarta (Greeners) – Ministry of Environment and Forestry targeted revised Conservation Law draft will be finalized by the end of this month, said a senior official, in Jakarta, on Thursday (4/8).
Director general of Natural Resources Conservation and Ecosystem at the ministry, Tachrir Fathoni, said House of Representatives had ensured to include the revision into National Legislation Program and will be discussed after Quarantine Bill is passed.
The revision of 1990 Law on Natural Conservation and Ecosystem went through public consultation process in ten regions.
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Furthermore, Fathoni said there were several changes and new addition in the draft, including articles on species under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and genetic resources.
He added genetic resources potential can be found in plants, animals, microbes, even traditional knowledge inside and outside conservation areas.
“Genetic resources theft potential in Indonesia is quite high. Based on our data in 2014, foreign scientists set second highest record in researching for animals in Indonesia. The total of foreign scientists cover 24 percent,” he said.” The number of requests to study genetic resources are getting higher meanwhile the regulations are not quite settled.”
On law enforcement, Fathoni said there will be minimum sanction for the culprits.
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Director general of Law Enforcement, Rasio Ridho Sani, said while waiting for the revision to be finalized, his officers would continue to enforce the law under the current regulation.
“We are still waiting and need that law [to be finalized]. But, it does not mean that while revision is not done, we couldn’t do nothing. Law enforcement still in force though there are illegal wildlife traffickers get low sentences,” said Rasio.
Reports by Danny Kosasih
22 Des 2023 
