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