NGOs decry drills in park

NGOs decry drills in park

SURABAYA: The East Java branch of the Indonesian Forum for
Environment (Walhi) has condemned planned military exercises in
the Pulau Sempu nature reserve as environmentally disruptive.

The second infantry division of the Army Strategic Command
based in Singosari, Malang regency, has announced the plan.

Similar regrets were expressed by the Surabaya Legal Aid
Office and the Care for Indonesia non-governmental organization,
Antara reported Wednesday.

"The 877-hectare Sempu area, located south of the Sendang Biru
coast, is a nature reserve which is home to a number of
threatened and protected species, such as the Javanese eagle and
the spotted leopard (harimau tutul)," Walhi director Icha
Mariyana said.

Using the site for military practice would create
environmental disturbances from noise and the felling of trees to
set up tents.

Disturbing a nature reserve violates the 1990 law on
conservation, she said, aside from pertinent decrees of the
Ministry of Forestry. (anr)