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)