Residents allowed back into Ciremai

Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Kuningan

Bowing to public pressure, the Kuningan regental government has conceded to allow thousands of residents who live on the slopes of Mt. Ciremai to seek a living in the area, which was designated a national park.

Upon issuing the decision, Kuningan Regent Aang Abdul Hamid warned the residents not to damage the forest in the 15,500- hectare national park.

"The residents are allowed to grow crop and vegetable gardens in the area or gather firewood, but if the forest is found to have been damaged, then the permit will be revoked," Aang said on Tuesday night.

Local non-governmental organization (NGO) activists had earlier organized a string of protests against a decision in October to turn the Ciremai forest area into a national park.

The designation would bar residents from making a living off the land, including growing crop, said Avo Juhartono, head of the Mt. Ciremai Conservation Task Force NGO, and deprive the residents of 24 subdistricts their right to live.

Frederick Amalo, another activist, said the residents had lived off the local land for years and no evidence existed that showed they had damaged the environment.

"They have instead prevented the area from being damaged by irresponsible individuals and illegal loggers," he said recently.

The Mt. Ciremai area is a highly fertile area and is a source of clean water for the people of Kuningan and Majalengka regencies.