Hundreds of squatters forced to leave forest

Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung

Some 5,000 families, who have lived for years in the Wan Abdul Rachman Forest reserve near Mount Betung in South Lampung, began leaving four days ago, following an order from the Lampung Forestry Office.

The office's directive came on concerns that the area would be completely denuded in the near future, if the residents did not leave the forest immediately. "The order is aimed at minimizing forest destruction," said Sutono, the chief of Forest Protection section at the Lampung Forestry Office.

Most of families have already left the forest and they are temporarily residing in relatives' houses as they look for a new place to live. The forest squatters left because they feared they would become victims of state-sponsored violence.

Six years ago, scores of people, allegedly government employees, burned down houses in the area of Kubang Badak forest in South Lampung regency after the residents rejected the government's order to leave the national park.

But, despite the lesson, other residents in Wan Abdul Rachman Forest are still residing in the forest and they are still in a wait-and-see mode, waiting for the government's next move.

The Wan Abdul Rachman Forest itself has been largely deforested. Some 65 percent of the 22,249 hectares of forest have become barren land due to illegal cutting and clearance. The 5,000 families, all squatters, have contributed greatly to the damage of the forest.

They cut trees and sell them, sometimes as raw logs or as charcoal. After the trees are cleared, the squatters then plant coffee or other spices in the open space.

A government official in charge of Wan Abdul Rachman Forest Management, Guntur Hariyanto, said that the government would quickly embark on the reforestation programs in the area, following the eviction of the squatters.

He said that he was might invite private companies to get involved in the reforestation programs in the area.

Meanwhile, the head of the Lampung provincial Planning and Development Body, Harris Hasyim, said that the Lampung provincial government was planning to build a safari park in the Way Kambas National Park and Wan Abdul Rachman Forest.

The development of the project could increase revenue for both government and the people, explained Harris. The project will start next year. "People can benefit from doing business in the area, such as selling locally made handicrafts," said Harris.

He said that the Sumatran Rhinoceros exhibit could be the main attraction in the two would-be safari parks.