Tangerang to combat illegal sand mining

Tangerang to combat illegal sand mining

TANGERANG: Responding to public calls, Tangerang
administration has established a team to handle the rampant
illegal sand mining along the regency's northern coast.

"The team comprises public order officers and officials from
the environmental management agency, development planning board
and the finance office," Regent Ismet Iskandar said on Thursday.

On Wednesday, hundreds of residents urged the administration
to put an end to the illegal sand mining, which they said had
depleted the water supply, leaving too little to irrigate their
rice fields.

Furthermore, the condition of roads in the area had
deteriorated, damaged by the trucks used to haul the sand.

They also accused local authorities of taking bribes from the
parties carrying out the illegal activity. -- JP