Mangrove forests destroyed<\/p>\n
PROBOLINGGO, East Java: Probolinggo regency has lost at least
\n25 hectares of mangrove forests in the past 10 years due to
\ndevelopment of fish hatchery ponds.<\/p>\n
Regent Pamoedji said his administration has been facing the
\ndilemma of giving priority to the need to raise funds or the need
\nto protect the region's ecology, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
He said the regency administration has required the pond
\nowners to replant mangrove trees along some 200 hectares of coast
\nin Probolinggo but most have neglected their obligations, citing
\ntechnical and financial problems.<\/p>\n
Probolinggo now still has 339 hectares of mangrove forests.<\/p>\n
A group of farmers from Gendi district in Probolinggo won the
\nnational Kalpataru environmental award in 1982 for its success in
\npreserving mangrove forests in the area.<\/p>\n
Nurhadi Siswoyo, a senior regency administration official,
\nsaid the presence of mangrove forests along the northern
\ncoastline is essential to maintain the coastal ecosystem.<\/p>\n
He proposed a campaign to protect the mangrove forests. (emb)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mangrove-forests-destroyed-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }