RI to host conference on orangutan

RI to host conference on orangutan

PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: Palangkaraya is to host an international conference on orangutan conservation from June 19 to June 20, 2002, a provincial government spokesman said.

Harun al Rasyid, the spokesman, said here Friday, the plan to host the conference was reported to Deputy Governor Nahson Taway by the head of the Balikpapan Orangutan Survival (BOS) foundation, Willie Smits.

The conference, designed to find a solution to problems being faced in the conservation of orangutan, would be attended by delegations from 11 countries, Harun said.

The conference was also scheduled to discuss efforts to stop illegal logging.

According to a BOS Foundation report, some local government officials in Central Kalimantan were violating the law by keeping orangutan and some animal species while others were facilitating the smuggling of rare animals out of the province.

Responding to the report, Deputy Governor Nahson Taway said he would take actions to follow up on the foundation's report.

"We are ready to impose sanctions on government officials proven to facilitate orangutan smuggling," Taway said. -- Antara