Illegal logging destroys half of protected forest

Illegal logging destroys half of protected forest

BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: At least 2,500 hectares or half of the protected forest along the Manggar River has been destroyed due to illegal logging.

Purwanto, the director of the Human and Environment Guidance Foundation (YBML), said on Thursday that the forest had been first ravaged by a forest fire in 1997.

Damage to the forest worsened following an increase in illegal logging.

State forestry company Perhutani had implemented a reforestation program, but it failed as locals were not asked to take part.

Head of the Environment Impact Management Agency (AMDAL) Saleh Basri said that 70 percent of city residents rely on water from a manmade dam in the river.

If a drought hits, Basri added, people would have a difficult time getting water. -- Antara