Coal mining ban proposed in Kerinci national park

PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): The West Sumatra provincial legislative council has asked the government not to issue a permit for coal mining in the Kerinci Seblat National Park (TNKS) as it would fatally damage the park's ecosystem.

"If the government allows PT Sariangrido Andalas to operate a coal mine in the park, then it will lead to the extinction of about 4,000 species of plants and animals," Alfian, a member of the council said here on Wednesday.

PT Sariangrido has submitted a proposal to mine coal in the park to the provincial administration.

Alfian made the statement after the provincial council held a hearing with the park management, the KSICDP (Integrated Conservation and Development Project) and the Wild World Fund for Nature (WWF).

He said that during the hearing they discussed the impact of the mining project on the 1.4 million-hectare park's ecosystem.

"If the government issues the mining permit, then it will be a great mistake and a disaster for the people living around the park," said Raleigh of the KSICDP.

Hayani, the assistant head of the park, said at the hearing that the mining project would pollute the Batang Surantih river, which flows from the park through a number of villages in adjacent areas. "And logging and land clearance for the mine will undoubtedly cause floods and landslides," he said.

He noted that according to a joint decree of the mining and energy minister, and the forestry minister, activities such as exploration, exploitation and mining could not take place within a national park, including the TNKS.

"The provincial government should consider all the inputs put forward by the park and the KSICDP. They should also consider the joint ministerial decree," said Alfian. (28/02/bnt)