Logging impairs Baloi reservoir

Logging impairs Baloi reservoir

BATAM, Riau: Illegal logging and residential settlements have
impaired the quality of water at the Baloi water reservoir in
Batam Island, Riau, making it hard for locals to get clean water,
the Riau Islands Natural Resources Conservation chairman Mudjiono
said.

He said some 11,000 illegal houses have been built near the
reservoir and their waste is contaminating the water, turning its
color to yellowish-brown and lowering the reservoir's water
level.

Meanwhile, more than one-third, or 4,300 hectares, of Batam's
12,000 hectares of protected forests have been cut down due to
land clearance and illegal logging.

Mudjiono urged local people to stop cutting down the forest as
the provincial administration had only allocated Rp 1.3 billion
for the reforestation program. --Antara