Illegal logging 'caused Rp 31b loss'

Illegal logging 'caused Rp 31b loss'

SEMARANG: State forestry company Perhutani I in Central Java
lost an estimated Rp 31.72 billion (US$3.5 million) because of
illegal logging last year, the company's boss says.

The amount was less compared to 2003, when the company
suffered Rp 61.66 billion loss, company head Sofyan Hanafi said
in Semarang on Monday.

He said the decrease was because there were few loggable trees
left in Central Java's forests and there was less illegal logging
going on.

"We are trying to develop alternative trees to replace teak
wood in the furniture industry," he said. -- JP