NGOs say no to national park

NGOs say no to national park

KUNINGAN, West Java: Several non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) concerned with the environment expressed its opposition to
a ministerial decree that changes the status of Mount Ciremai,
Kuningan, West Java, from a conservation forest into a national
park.

Avo Juhartono, Ciremai Forest Child Activities (AKAR) chairman
argued that the change would adversely affect the people in the
vicinity because they would no longer be allowed to benefit from
the forest.

He added that around 47 villages containing thousands of
people would lose their main income source if there were a change
of status in the 15,500-hectare forest.

"I doubt that the local administrations in Kuningan and
Majalengka can provide jobs to compensate for the lost earnings,"
said Avo. --Antara