By: Masayu Yulien Vinanda
Jakarta (10/08)-WWF-Indonesia’s reforestation program NEWtrees gained another support from banking sector. PT Bank Central Asia (BCA) donated 2000 trees which will be used for reforesting five hectares of area in Mt. Rinjani Protected Forest, West Nusa Tenggara. The commitment was officially declared through Memorandum of Undersatanding (MoU) sigining between BCA and WWF-Indonesia and the symbolic ceremony of BCA handing over trees to WWF-Indonesia, on Monday (09/08), in BCA tower, Central Jakarta.
All costs of tree planting and maintenance are BCA’s donation relating sales of Indonesian Retail Obligation 007 Series (ORI 007). The initiative is line with ORI 007 theme: “Together with ORI 007, we protect the environment.” 1000 rupiahs of every 5 million rupiahs and its multiply sale will be allocated to NEWtrees activities in Mt. Rinjani. Until the beginning of August, BCA has earned 559 billion rupiahs from ORI sales.

“Beside supporting Indonesian Department of Finance’s appeal for all ORI 007 sellers allocating the ORI sales to the environtment, this commitment is also one of our efforts to build up the customers’ awareness toward reforestation,” BCA’s Vice President Director BCA Jahja Setiaatmadja said.
WWF-Indonesia hailed BCA’s contribution for NEWtrees program. WWF-Indonesia Marketing and Communication Director Devy Suradji said that BCA’s commitment to support NEWtrees will not only help forest conservation but also the local communities living around Mt. Rinjani protected forest.

“NEWtrees program does not only focus on reforestation effort but also community empowerment for the communities around the protected area by involving them in tree planting, maintenance, and tree monitoring. This means that BCA has contributed in environment conservation, community empowerment as well as helping create sustainable livelihood,” Devy added.
Seeding stage has started since May 2010, and the planting activities are scheduled to be done in November 2010, after the seeds are consided strong enough to be planted. BCA will also support WWF-Indonesia in post planting activities including tree maintenance and monitoring.