Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something... Green?
November 25, 2008
The city administration of Balikpapan in East Kalimantan has issued a new rule which forces couples to plant a tree before they can receive a marriage license.
“We have made it mandatory for those wanting to get married to submit one tree seedling or else we will not give them a recommendation letter,” said city spokesperson Samauna Rizal as quoted by Antara newswire on Saturday.
In Balikpapan, a formal recommendation letter from a local district office is required to receive a marriage license from the Religious Affairs Court. So to get married, couples must plant a tree.
The new regulation hopes to inspire the citizens to think about their natural environment. East Kalimantan has seen massive deforestation due to illegal logging and mining activities. Such measures are also in place in Sabang, Aceh, and Bandung, West Java.
“Consider it as a wedding gift for the government,” Rizal said.
The requirement is also planned to extend to birth certificates and other city-enforced legal matters.
I like it.
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Comments
Birth certificates?
November 25, 2008 by levbor, 31 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 33069
So if a couple doesn't plant a tree, must it abort?
You apply for a birth
November 26, 2008 by Anonymous, 31 weeks 3 days ago
Comment id: 33077
You apply for a birth certificate AFTER a baby is born. If you don´t get the birth certificate, your baby doesn´t legally exist, right? So, who wouldn´t apply for a birth certificate for their child?