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