Stone mining damages environment

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