Logging permits abused

PADANG, West Sumatra: The head of the Ministry of Forestry's provincial office, Mannas, said the easy administrative procedures to obtain logging concessions have often been abused.

He said many investors use permits acquired from provincial level government officials to begin operations.

"A lot of concessionaires, equipped only with recommendations from the governor or a regent, have started massive logging operations," he told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

The abuse of the system is often discovered only after the concessionaires have been caught in police crackdowns on illegal logging, he said.

If unchecked, he warned, this practice could lead to uncontrolled logging and natural disasters such as flooding and landslides.

"It takes a lot of consideration before a logging permit can be issued, such as the concessionaire's commitment to regreening," he said. (32/imn)