Indonesia Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan said on Monday that the country was committed to reducing its gas emissions by 26 percent in several phases until 2020.

"The forestry sector is expected to help reduce gas emissions to 14 percent in the first phase," the minister said when declaring the formation of a National Forest Management Unit (KPH) at Taman Hutan Raya Ngurah Rai of Bali island.

Also present at the function were Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika, seven other provincial governors, and representatives of 23 districts where KPH branches would be set up.

The minister said the remaining 12 percent of gas emissions was expected to be tackled by other development sectors concerned about environmental preservation.

Zulkipli said Indonesia had a high sense of awareness and responsibility about reducing gas emissions, and this attitude was hopefully to be imitated by the developed countries.

"High awareness of all countries to reduce gas emission is necessary to save the earth from climate change problems," he was quoted by the Antara news wire as saying.

The minister said the Forestry Ministry's work program for the next five years would be focused on forest preservation for the people's welfare.

"It is in line with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's policy that development in the forestry sector should lead to stabilization of micro economics to support economic development.

(Xinhua News Agency December 15, 2009)