MINISTRY EVALUATING TNC'S PERFORMANCE IN KOMODO NATIONAL PARK

Jakarta, Aug. 26 (ANTARA) - The forestry ministry is currently evaluating the performance of the Nature Conservancy (TNC), a US-based environmental NGO, in managing the Komodo National Park jointly with the government.

"We are evaluating the presence and performance of TNC, which should have routinely reported its plan of action to the government through joint venture PT Putri Naga Komodo," Darori, the forestry ministry's director general for forest protection and nature conservancy, said here on Wednesday.

The forestry ministry would send a warning if the joint venture company did not implement its tasks and responsibilities, he said.

Darori said that there was an indication that the NGO through PT Putri Naga Komodo (PNK) did not implement its tasks in developing facilities and infrastructures as well as in protecting the state's assets at the Komodo National Park.

There were some indications that made him not satisfied about TNC's performance so far, according to Darori.

The forestry ministry has invited TNC to jointly manage and develop the Komodo National Park since 1995. Considering the cooperation a success, the partnership with TNC in managing the part was extended in 2000, he said.

The cooperation has involved the Komodo National Park authorities, The Nature Conservancy and the local administration, as well as a PT Jaytasha Putrindo Utama. They later on set up a joint venture company called PT Putri Naga Komodo.

The cooperation is aimed at improving the management of the 132,572-ha national park, which includes a land area measuring 40,728 hectares.

However, if the implementation of the cooperation did not bring benefit to the Indonesian public, the cooperation agreement would be reviewed, he said.

"We have the authorities to review the cooperation agreement because the permit was issued by the forestry ministry. If based on the evaluation, the company's performance is bad, we will issue three consecutive warnings, and revoke the permit if it continues to perform the tasks badly," he said.