Leuser Park woodland endangered

Leuser Park woodland endangered

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Forestry will not extend permits
for three forest concessionaires in Leuser National Park (TNL),
Aceh, because it says their activities endanger the environment,
Antara reported yesterday.

The news agency said three companies, which were not named,
have concessions over 297,000 hectares of forest in the east and
southeast of the park.

They have operated between 17 years and 18 years and their
permits will expire within two or three years.

"The decision was taken after studying their performance,"
Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo said Friday.

The concessionaires failed to meet their obligations,
including on safety standards, Djamaludin said, adding that the
ministry also took into consideration a report from the Leuser
International Foundation.

The concession holders were informed of the decision on July
18, he said.

Forests cover 74.5 percent, or 4.13 million hectares of Aceh
province. They comprise preserved forests, timber estates and
conservation forests.

There are currently 20 forest concessions in areas covering
1.76 million hectares in Aceh. Some 147 companies hold
exploitation rights for 853,844 hectares of forests. (08)