Bengkulu forests under threat

BENGKULU: Officials here said on Monday 48,000 of 251,000 hectares of conserved forest in the province have been damaged by illegal logging.

The head of the provincial forestry agency, Harjanto, told Antara the immediate reforestation of the damaged areas was necessary because the level of water absorption was declining, increasing the possibility of flooding and landslide.

Harjanto said his office would increase the number of employees from the current 130 to 200 to improve its monitoring activities and reduce illegal logging. (lup)