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)