Tue, 20 Apr 1999

C. Java prone to landslides

SEMARANG: Many areas of Central Java are vulnerable to landslides, according to the provincial disaster relief coordinating unit.

Executive secretary of the unit Soetono told Antara on Monday that the dangerous zone covered 60.73 percent of land across the province. Included are mountain areas in Brebes, Banyumas, Kedu, Purwokerto, Purworejo and villages on the slope of Mount Lawu.

"The lands need special treatment before being used as housing and farming plots. Disasters are imminent due to the people's lack of knowledge of land management and conservation," Soetono said.

He did not elaborate on human behavior which was destructive to the environment.