Over-population and deforestation disturbing<\/p>\n
BOGOR, West Java (JP): Over-population and deforestation are
\nchallenging the nation's efforts to conserve the archipelago's
\nabundant flora.<\/p>\n
\"The overpopulation problem on the relatively fertile islands
\nacross the country has left little opportunity for the extension
\nof previously rich biodiversity and lush flora,\" botanist Sediono
\nM.P. Tjondronegoro said during an international seminar here
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
\"Many flora areas have been converted into arable land. The
\nnature reserves are undoubtedly under pressure now,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The first day's session of the four-day seminar, jointly
\norganized by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) and the
\nIndonesian Forestry Community (MPI), was attended by directors of
\nbotanical gardens from Australia, the United States, the People's
\nRepublic of China, Japan, the Netherlands and Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Sediono said during the initial session yesterday that the
\nIndonesian population has now reached around 187 million.<\/p>\n
\"It is expected to increase by two percent annually to 250
\nmillion in the year 2030.<\/p>\n
\"The majority of Indonesians are concentrated in Java because
\nmost industries and development activities are to be found here,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
He said 50,000 hectares of arable land are converted into new
\nurban settlements or covered over with infrastructure yearly in
\nthe trend toward urbanization and industrialization.<\/p>\n
Sediono said that tens of thousands of hectares of forest have
\nbeen extensively over-exploited to support economic development,
\ncausing deforestation.<\/p>\n
\"In 1990 the size of the forest area was around 144 million
\nhectares and now it is estimated that only 109 million hectares
\nare left,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Together with Tanzania and Brazil, Indonesia has been
\nclassified as having one of the largest tropical rain forest
\ncovers in the world. Tropical forests are needed to cushion the
\nplanet earth from global warming caused by damage to the ozone
\nlayer, he said.<\/p>\n
Sediono said natural resources should be exploited in
\naccordance with the sustainable development concept, benefiting
\nboth the environment and the people. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/over-population-and-deforestation-disturbing-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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