Merapi National Park gets support

Merapi National Park gets support

YOGYAKARTA: Sleman Regent Ibnu Subiyanto said he supported on
Wednesday the central government's decision that declared Mount
Merapi a national park.

The decision was crucial to help increase forestation around
Merapi, which was an important water catchment area for
Yogyakarta city, said Subiyanto after receiving two officials
from the National Ombudsman's Office.

The officials visited the regent after mounting criticism from
activists and students over the government's decision.

Activists said gazetting Merapi as a national park would
prevent villagers from taking economic advantage of the forests
and would deprive them of an important source of income.

Mounting local opposition in the form of protests has hindered
the government's reforestation programs in the area. -- JP