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Indonesia asks rich countries to pay them for preserving forests

indonesia recently put forward a proposal asking rich countries to pay developing nations for preserving forests. The country plans to table the proposal at the next un climate change conference, which is scheduled for December this year in Bali.

In a statement, Indonesian environment minister Rachmat Witoelar said, "Preserving our forest means we can't exploit it for our economic benefits like roads and mines. While doing so, we make important contribution to the world by providing oxygen and help curb the greenhouse gas effect. Hence, developed countries should compensate countries like Indonesia and Brazil for preserving nature.'

The proposal follows the World Bank's recent warnings that Indonesia should check illegal cutting and burning of forests within a year or else the bank might withdraw support from its forest protection projects.