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