Drought gives way to floods

SEMARANG, Central Java: This year's long drought has ended in many provinces and reports on forest fires were slowly being replaced by reports of floods.

But in Semarang, Antara reported yesterday, smoke was still spreading across the regency from a fire that razed the slope of Mt. Merbabu Monday morning.

Irfan Rosadi, a Ministry of Forestry official, said in Semarang that Gedakan villagers burned the forest to make charcoal.

"Most of them are poor people who have to burn the forest to earn money for their family," said Irfan.

He said his office recently arrested 14 villagers for similar reasons.

"After lecturing them on the importance of forests, we released them," said Irfan. (prb)