Manggarai park damaged

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: Around 1,531 hectares of the 32,246 hectare area of Manggarai Natural Tourism Park in Manggarai regency, East Nusa Tenggara, had been badly damaged due to illegal logging, an official said here on Friday.

Park chief Fransisco Moga said the worst damaged areas were located in Poco Ranaka district and around the Rana Mese lake.

According to Fransisco the damage had also affected the fauna with about 1,000 ngkiong (pachecepala-nudigula) birds already migrating away from the barren habitat.

At least 64 different species of animals are said to live in the park.

Without elaborating further Fransisco said park officials with the help of residents living in the area were doing their best to help conserve the park. (yac)