Mangroves at Bunaken destroyed

MANADO, North Sulawesi: Two businessmen have destroyed several dozen hectares of mangroves in Bunaken National Park and turned the area into a holiday resort, police said Saturday.

Maj. A.J. Marantika, a senior detective at the North Sulawesi police command said the businessmen had been questioned.

Marantika said what the entrepreneurs did was a breach of law and they deserved punitive action.

Antara reported that they have been building cottages and brackish fishponds in the area.

Daniel Palilu, a senior employee at the North Sulawesi forestry office, said the businessmen had also built a quay on the disputed area. (pan)