Bunaken suffers degradation

MANADO, North Sulawesi: State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja urged the provincial government to move quickly to save the Bunaken marine garden, said to be one of the best diving resort in the world, because it is now decaying.

Sarwono and his two daughters took a tour of the Bunaken area on a sail boat on Saturday and found the condition there deplorable largely through neglect. He cited the damaged coral reefs, the Antara news agency reported.

It's a question of proper management, Sarwono said.

He added that the local people should help the government to protect and preserve the beauty of Bunaken.

They should preserve the mangrove surrounding the marine garden because destroying it will have adverse effects on the ecosystem. (emb)