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)