Logging threatens Muller range

Logging threatens Muller range

MUARA TEWEH, Central Kalimantan: The Muller mountain range,
stretching from North Barito regency in Central Kalimantan to
East Kalimantan and Sarawak in Malaysia, is in danger of being
destroyed by the expanding logging activities of forest
concessionaires.

Antara reported that based on the latest aerial photography,
logging by concession holders had already encroached into the
southern part of the Muller range.

North Barito Regent H. Badaruddin suggested in Muara Teweh on
Monday that the central government propose to Unesco that the
Muller mountain range be declared a world natural heritage site.

The regent also suggested that the provincial administrations
of West and East Kalimantan discuss the matter comprehensively
with the Sarawak government as nearly all the major rivers in the
three regions had their sources in the Muller range.

"North Barito is committed to refraining from large scale
forest exploitation so as to maintain Muller as one of the
world's great nature reserves," added Badaruddin. --Antara