Illegal logging rampant in Central Java<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): An environmental watchdog revealed on Monday
\nthat ramin timber (Gonystylus spp.) was still traded and
\nillegally distributed at the Tanjung Emas seaport in Semarang the
\ncapital of Central Java, despite the government's decision to ban
\nits trade and logging.<\/p>\n
The Independent Institute for Social Studies and Analysis
\n(Lintas) chairman Amirhan Adjung criticized the government and
\nthe police for failing to stop what he dubbed a well-organized
\ncrime which caused some Rp 6 billion in losses to the state in
\none month.<\/p>\n
Illegal logging activities occur in many forests in the
\ncountry, including Sumatra and Kalimantan.<\/p>\n
Amirhan said that in one month between 60 to 100 vessels, each
\ncarrying between 300 and 1,000 cubic meters of timber, including
\nramin, enter the Tanjung Emas seaport. Since February there have
\nbeen 40 cases reported to the police, none of which have been
\ninvestigated.<\/p>\n
He alleged that the ministry of forestry, the police and
\npublic actually knew who were behind the illegal timber
\ntrafficking, but no action had been taken.<\/p>\n
\"We have information that the coordinator pays a 'security
\nfee' amounting to Rp 100,000 for every cubic meter of the logs,\"
\nhe added.<\/p>\n
Since April 11, the Minister of Forestry Marzuki Usman has
\nbanned the logging, trade and industry of the valuable ramin
\ntimber.<\/p>\n
Widely-used for furniture and other household goods, also to
\nmake billiards cues, every cubic meter of ramin is worth up to
\nUS$1,000 on the international market.<\/p>\n
The ministry had also recommended that tropical wood species
\nbe included as an endangered species of flora at the Convention
\non International Trade on Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
\nFlora (CITES)' secretariat in Switzerland.<\/p>\n
With this convention, which will take effect next July,
\nforeign countries may confiscate ramin entering their market from
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
Amirhan expressed hope that the government and the law
\nenforcers enhanced efforts to combat illegal logging and
\ndistribution.<\/p>\n
\"Not only does it inflict losses on state earnings,
\nuncontrolled logging spells disaster for the environment... and
\na loss to the next generation,\" he said. (bby)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/illegal-logging-rampant-in-central-java-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}