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