RI wants binding agreement as NGOs doubt commitment to saving forests

The US-based Tropical Forest Group (TFG) meanwhile expressed doubt about the commitment of many countries to saving tropical forests, given their lackluster performance in conserving the environment since the Rio Earth Summit 25 years ago.
"We are still wondering about their commitment to saving forests," TFG spokesman J Abraham Powel said here Tuesday outside Hotel Westin where the UN climate change conference is being held.
He said efforts to save forests had yet to give a reason for optimism.
"Remember, 25 years ago, when the Rio Summit was held, all people wore T-shirts which read `Save the Forests.` The idea of saving tropical forests was so popular," he said.
But the area of tropical forests had since continued to shrink, he said.
He said if a plan to develop oil palm plantations in Papua was carried out, a vast area of forested land in Indonesia`s easternmost province would disappear.
"If we want our grandchildren to see tropical forests we must change our economic paradigm," he said.