Walhi slams illegal logging probe<\/p>\n
SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: The Indonesian Forum for the
\nEnvironment (Walhi) criticized councillors on Friday for their
\npoor performance in carrying out investigations into rampant
\nillegal logging in the province.<\/p>\n
\"Since the council set up a special committee a few months ago
\nto investigate illegal logging and deforestation across the
\nprovince, it has not dealt with any cases, although people from
\nthe regencies of Pasir and Berau have filed at least two cases,\"
\nWalhi East Kalimantan director executive Syarifuddin told The
\nJakarta Post.<\/p>\n
He accused the councillors of being reluctant to investigate
\nthe cases for fear that local officials may be implicated,
\nreferring to the illegal logging case allegedly involving timber
\ncompany Surya Darma Group. The case remains unsolved.<\/p>\n
Local residents had filed a complaint against the company's
\nillegal activities in a 440-hectare plot of land.<\/p>\n
According to data from the provincial forestry office, 14.6
\nmillion of the 21.1 million hectares of forests in the country
\nare located in the province.<\/p>\n
Syarifuddin said around four million hectares of forest had,
\nhowever, been destroyed by illegal loggers. -- JP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/walhi-slams-illegal-logging-probe-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}