Stone mining damages environment

BOGOR: The intensified stone mining at Munara Hill, Rumpin district, Bogor regency, has caused environmental damage in the 30-hectare mine site and surrounding area, and has threatened the existence of 200 white monkeys.

"The mining has made the land infertile, and the operators cut down our trees. Besides, with 500 trucks passing through our village, the air is heavily polluted," complained Komariah, 46, a resident of Sawah village.

Villagers also said that they had not seen any white monkeys in the forest since 1997, when the mining operation started.

Environmentalist Didi Furqon Firdaus, who is also the leader of the Center for Environmental Care (PFPL), said there were currently 15 stone mining operators in the district, each digging within a six-hectare area.

"We are really disappointed that the mining operation has taken over an area that is supposed to be a tourism resort, under Government Regulation No. 114/1997," he said.

Didi also regretted that most operators did not reclaim the land to maintain water sources in the area nor to develop a sustainable environment. -- JP