Last Javanese virgin forest endangered

SERANG, Banten: Ujung Kulon National Park rangers of Banten province have confiscated 7 cubic meters of Mahoni logs ready to be smuggled outside the park.

"My subordinates found the logs on Tuesday and we have reported it to the police who will look further into the case," Ujung Kulon National Park director Awrija Ibrahim told reporters on Friday.

The logs were left by looters.

He suspected local fishermen of committing the illegal logging. The fishermen, he said, could not go fishing due to rough surf.

However, he quickly added that the fishermen possibly were ordered by some other sponsor, due to the discovery that the loggers used electric saws, which are generally beyond their means. --Antara