Illegal logging in conservation area<\/p>\n
JAMBI, Jambi (JP): Illegal logging at the Bukit Dua Belas
\nNational Park here has become rampant despite the fact that the
\npark was declared a protected area by President Abdurrahman Wahid
\nin January this year.<\/p>\n
Quoting unconfirmed reports, Erdi Taufik, chairman of the
\nCommunication and Conservation Center, a local non-governmental
\norganization dealing with environmental affairs, said that at
\nleast 200 cubic meters of logs had been illegally cut and sold
\nwithout proper documents.<\/p>\n
\"These activities have become a serious threat to the
\nconservation area. Hundreds of trees are cut and taken out of the
\narea everyday, while the conservation park only covers a total of
\n60.5 hectares,\" Erdi said, adding that anyone entering the park
\nwould soon hear the chain saws buzzing.<\/p>\n
He said that the illegal loggers were mostly residents of 22
\nvillages around the park.<\/p>\n
\"Stern action must be taken to deal with the illegal logging,
\nor the conservation area will disappear in just a short time\".<\/p>\n
The legal plywood industry in the province of Jambi requires a
\ntotal of 3.8 million cubic meters of timber, while the local
\nforests can supply only about 1.1. million cubic meters.<\/p>\n
Thus, the factories need an additional 2.7 million cubic
\nmeters, and this has apparently prompted the villagers to cut the
\ntrees in the park.<\/p>\n
But the plywood factories deny this.<\/p>\n
Ateng, an official with a local plywood factory, said to The
\nJakarta Post that while the factories needed more logs, they
\nrefused to source them from illegal loggers. \"We don't want
\nillegal logs,\" he stressed. (33)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/illegal-logging-in-conservation-area-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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