RI asks UN for world status for park

PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: Indonesia is requesting the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to declare a national park area located near its border with Malaysia a world heritage site, an official said.

The forestry ministry's regional conservation director Adi Susmianto said Indonesia needed support from UNESCO to preserve the Betung Kerihun National Park, where illegal logging is rampant.

A world heritage site must be freed from logging activities.

The park is located adjacent to Malaysia's Lanjak Entimau National Park on the island of Borneo. According to Adi, Malaysia has also demanded that its own park be declared a world heritage site.

Adi was visiting Kapuas Hulu regency in West Kalimantan in a bid to attend the promotion event of the Betung Kerihun National Park.

Indonesia has three national parks, which are world heritage sites -- Lorentz National Park in Papua province, Ujung Kulon National Park in Banten province and the Komodo National Park in East Nusa Tenggara province. -- JP