Rp 2b needed to stamp out illegal logging

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