Rp 2b needed to stamp out illegal logging

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The Southeast Sulawesi provincial government needs at least Rp 2 billion (US$200,000) to combat illegal logging in the province next year, a senior government official said on Wednesday. The funding will be used, among other things, to finance a task force assigned to track down the illegal loggers, said Abdul Haris, the chief of the forest ranger section with the Southeast Sulawesi Forestry Office.

The provincial government would propose the funding soon to the provincial council for approval, said Haris.

Separately, an environmental activist, Gafar, said he hoped the fund could help the provincial government reduce the alarming rate of illegal logging in the province. -- Antara