Six arrested for cutting mangroves

INDRAMAYU, West Java: Police have arrested six people for cutting down mangrove trees without a permit early this week.

Spokesman for the local forestry office Dadang S. said last week that the men cut the trees to establish a fishpond, disregarding any degradation to the coastal environment.

They cut down the protected mangroves which are under the supervision of the ministry, Dadang said.

Antara reported yesterday that an estimated 50 hectares of mangrove forest in Indramayu are in deplorable condition due to illegal felling. (pan)