Soldiers punished for stealing wood

Soldiers punished for stealing wood

JAMBI, Jambi: Local military chief Col. Istarto said yesterday
he has taken punitive action against nine soldiers for their
roles in illegal logging operations.

Istarto said the ongoing crackdown on loggers and their
backers is part of the government's effort to preserve forest
stocks, which have been dwindling due to theft and development
projects.

He declined to identify the soldiers or specify their
punishment.

Logging has affected protected areas such as the famous
Kerinci Seblat and Berbak national parks, Antara reported.

"We are concerned about people degrading the environment,"
Istarto said. (pan)