Timber firm gets out of Yamdena

Timber firm gets out of Yamdena

AMBON, Maluku: PT Alam Nusa Segar has ceased operations on
Yamdena Island following heavy pressure from local people and an
environmental organization.

Coordinator of the Environmental Development Organization
(BLH), Hamid Rahayaan, said yesterday that the company quit after
operating for a year on the island.

"The company had no alternative but to stop its operation
because of strong, persistent protests from the island's
inhabitants and the BLH," he said, as quoted by Antara.

Hamid said pressure on the company had been strong because it
had been causing extensive damage to the island's forests.

"Besides, the company employed workers from elsewhere in
preference to people from the island," he said (rms)