Bengkulu to host tourism meeting

Bengkulu to host tourism meeting

BENGKULU, Bengkulu: Bengkulu hopes to boost tourism to the
province ahead of acting as host of a tourism meeting of the
Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand economic growth triangle later this
year.

Suparhim, secretary of the Bengkulu tourism promotion board,
said on Wednesday the provincial budget for the sector had
increased considerably from Rp 100 million last year to Rp 800
million in 2003.

He said Bengkulu boasted various annual attractions, such as
the Tabot, Rafflesia and Lake Dendam festivals, which draw both
domestic and foreign tourists.

"Coupled with its beautiful coastal, mountain and forest
scenery, Bengkulu will return to its 1997 record number of
tourist visits after slight declines in 2001 and 2002," Suparhim
said. --Antara

Wildlife crime units to debut in Lampung

BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Wildlife crime units will soon be working
to ensure the conservation of flora and fauna in Lampung
province, which are under threat by continued criminal actions.

Mochamad Saleh, Indonesian program coordinator for the
Wildlife Conservation Society, said in Bandarlampung on Wednesday
the province's National Resources Conservation Center and several
non-governmental organizations were finalizing preparations for
the units.

According to environmentalists and non-governmental
organizations, Lampung has become a hub of illegal hunting and
theft of protected animal species and vegetation, while no
integrated action has yet been taken to stop the crimes.

Saleh said the presence of the wildlife units was even more
urgent in view of the serious threat posed by poachers to Way
Kambas and Southern Bukit Barisan, Lampung's national forests.
--Antara

Green turtles disappearing from Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The green turtle population in the waters of
Banyak island in Aceh Singkil regency has decreased almost to the
point of extinction because of incessant poaching.

"Hundreds of green turtles and their eggs on Banyak island are
stolen by fishermen from Sibolga, North Sumatra, every day," A.
Maddin, a fisherman from Aceh Singkil, told Antara in the Aceh
capital of Banda Aceh on Wednesday.

He said only 10 to 15 turtles a day were laying eggs on the
shore of the island, compared to dozens of turtles about three
years ago.

Banyak island has been a green turtle captive breeding zone
since the 1980s, which attracts numerous foreign tourists.

"The regency administration must stop the poaching of this
species in the area and the surrounding islets," Maddin said.
--Antara

Families of Ambon victims get compensation

AMBON, Maluku: The Ministry of Social Affairs last year
provided financial compensation to the families of 1,268 people
who died and 75 people who were disabled during the 1999
sectarian conflict in Maluku.

The family of each dead victim received Rp 2 million, while
those who were disabled received Rp 1 million each, the head of
the local social affairs office, Bram Matahelumual, said on
Wednesday.

He said his office would continue to provide compensation this
year, and that the families of 265 people who were killed and 70
who were injured had been chosen as recipients.

Thousands of people have been killed in four years of
sectarian conflict between Muslims and Christians in Maluku.

The central government has been working closely with religious
and community leaders from the warring camps to end the prolonged
conflict, but sporadic incidents of violence continue to occur.
--Antara