Lake Tempe to be rehabilitated

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: State Minister for the Environment Nabiel Makarim is scheduled to announce the rehabilitation of Lake Tempe in Wajo regency, South Sulawesi, on Tuesday.

Abdul Rachman, chairman of the Save Lake Tempe organizing committee, said in Makassar on Monday the meeting on Tuesday also would establish a forum for Lake Tempe's rehabilitation.

The lake, on which the majority of local farmers and fishermen rely, is increasingly threatened by sedimentation from several nearby rivers, notably Bila to the north and Walanae to the south.

According to Rachman, the lake, along with Lake Sidenreng and Lake Buaya, has seen fish production decline from 30,000 to 35,000 tons in the 1960s to 17,000 tons a year today as a result of sedimentation. --Antara

Jambi to launch reforestation campaign

JAMBI, Jambi: The province of Jambi will fight illegal logging in the region by launching a reforestation campaign, which will be focused on the province's national parks.

Tanjung Jabung Barat regency, some 200 kilometers from Jambi, is pioneering the drive with airborne rubber tree seed sowing, which for the moment is focused on national parks vulnerable to illegal logging.

Jambi Governor Zulkifli Nurdin said in Sri Agung village in the regency on Sunday the effort could also use the seeds of fruit trees like durian and rambutan, applying agro-forestry methods.

Nurdin acknowledged illegal logging was a major problem in national parks such as Bukit Puluh, Bukit Dua Belas and Kerinci Seblat, triggering international criticism because the areas had been declared part of the "world's lungs".

"But international circles cannot just blame the region as long as the central government continues to grant forest concessions and timber utilization permits, which are prone to abuse," the governor said. --Antara

E. Nusa Tenggara resources on display

ATAMBUA, East Nusa Tenggara: East Nusa Tenggara will put its sea resources under the spotlight at an exhibition of marine potential and coastal zone development at the Jakarta Convention Center in February.

Bria Yohanes, regent of Belu, one of the province's marine resources-rich areas, said in Atambua on Monday the regency's northern and southern waters were teeming with various species of fish, shellfish and other mollusks.

Data on the region's marine resources, fish potential, periods of fish migration and estimated quantities of fish and mollusks will be among the highlights of the province's display.

Yohanes said the marine riches in his area traditionally had only been exploited by local fishermen, so the Jakarta event was hoped to draw investors and boost the fishery business in this neighbor of East Timor. --Antara

Illegal timber trade foiled in Sampit

SAMPIT, Central Kalimantan: The Central Kalimantan Police seized six trucks carrying illegally cut logs and processed wood in Pundu Pelantaran, Kotawaringin Timur regency, early on Monday morning.

The trucks, which did not have proper documents, and truck drivers are being held by the Kotawaringin Timur Police in Sampit for further investigation, according to regency police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Petrus Hardono.

Four of the trucks were carrying over 32,000 m3 of processed kruing wood, while the other two were transporting about 9,000 m3 of logs.

Petrus Hardono said the regency police would be intensifying their antismuggling operations in response to a recent surge in illegal logging and timber smuggling in the province. --Antara