The Destruction of Sancang buffaloes

The Destruction of Sancang buffaloes

During the 1970s, the population of Sancang buffaloes living
in Sancang forest was estimated at more than 100. Back then,
visitors could regularly see the protected species walking here
and there, wandering through plantations and settlements near the
rubber plantation of Mira Mare in Sancang forest, which lies in
South Garut, West Java.

Now the buffaloes living there have virtually disappeared. The
number is reported to be down to just 13, and could be even
fewer. Local inhabitants have not seen the buffaloes for more
than two years.

The decrease in their population has been caused by the
destruction of their habitat, initially in part due to volcanic
ash spewed from Galunggung volcano. However, forest clearance has
made the situation worse, leaving Sancang's conservation area now
down to about 30 percent of the total area of 2,157 hectares.

All parties including NGOs concerned with the environment have
to support each other and they, along with the government, have
to overcome the ongoing forest clearances and take measures to
deal with the decline in number of Sancang buffaloes and other
species as well as protecting the forest's endangered plants.

-- Pikiran Rakyat, Jakarta