C. Java loses mangrove forests

C. Java loses mangrove forests

SEMARANG: About 94,000 hectares of mangrove forests in Central
Java are dwindling and can no longer function as natural sea
barriers, the provincial forestry office chief Hartiarto said on
Monday.

"The damage has caused environmental devastation along the
province's coastal area, especially the north coastal lane," he
said. He added that only a few mangroves were left, such as that
in Segoro Anakan in Cilacap along the southern part of the
province.

Of the destroyed mangrove forests, about 76,000 hectares are
located on the north coast.

Hartiarto conceded that in the past 30 years the government
had neglected mangrove forests and had concentrated more on
mountains and land forests.

"Land abrasion caused by the sea has become a big problem and
we have to save the mangroves soon," he said. (har/edt)