Forest destruction<\/p>\n
From Media Indonesia<\/p>\n
Most residents of the Maria and Ntori villages, in the Bima
\nregency, West Nusa Tenggara, have cleared the forest there
\n(mostly government forest preserve) and do illegal farming. This
\nhas been going on since 1990. They grow rice on the cleared
\nground only once or in one season, then leave the plot barren
\nafterwards, thus upsetting the ecosystem.<\/p>\n
I believe that up to now about 150 hectares of forest has been
\ndestroyed by no less than 90 slash and burn farmers.
\nUnfortunately the authorities have not responded to the peoples'
\nreport or complaints. Some of the negative impacts of the forest
\ndestruction are:<\/p>\n
* The water sources, which are vital for the community's life,
\nare drying up. And during the rainy season we have frequent
\nfloods and land slides.<\/p>\n
* The animals in this area were forced to move to other
\nlocation, which caused inconvenience to the community there.<\/p>\n
Forest products such as wood, rattan and other forest yields,
\nwhich constitute the state's assets, have become scarce and the
\nland is almost bare.<\/p>\n
* Historic places like Ndano Rengge, Tamba Jara and Kapaju,
\nwhich are closely related to the history of Bima Sultanate, have
\nvirtually lost their significance.<\/p>\n
In relation to this I would like call on the Ministry of
\nEnvironment to take the necessary measures to safeguard the areas
\nand stop the practice of slash and burn farming.<\/p>\n
M. ALI BAKAR<\/p>\n
Bima, NTB<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/forest-destruction-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }