Hundreds of squatters forced to leave forest

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.