300 hectares of forest damaged

300 hectares of forest damaged

PADANG, West Sumatra: Some 300 out of a total of 1.8 million
hectares of conserved forest in West Sumatra has been severely
damaged due to illegal logging, an activist said on Sunday.

Executive director of West Sumatra Environmental Development
(BLHI) Edi Dasril said the illegal logging was rampant due to
weak forestry law enforcement and the negligence of forest police
and other related agencies.

"We are really concerned about the prolonged continual illegal
logging and we hope the agencies in charge of curbing the crime
take immediate actions to prevent further deterioration of our
forests," Edi remarked.

The conserved forests include those along Bukit Barisan and in
the Mentawai islands, where the most damage reportedly occurred.

Edi claimed that timber businessmen were also behind the
growing illegal logging in the province. He demanded the
government take firmer measures against those who have encouraged
or protected illegal logging and if necessary revoke forest
concession licenses of such businessmen. (28)