Timber thieves caught in the act

Timber thieves caught in the act

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: A team of provincial councilors
touring the Kutai National Park accidentally came upon a group of
men loading four trucks with stolen meranti blambangan logs
recently, Antara reported Tuesday.

Upon seeing the people's representatives, the thieves dropped
whatever they were holding and fled. Their trucks were later
confiscated by police.

"We hope police can soon arrest the suspects," said Hatta
Zainal, one of the councilors.

Illegal logging is a major problem in conservation areas.

Of 200,000 hectares of conservation areas, some 50,000
hectares have been cleared for settlement, agriculture and
illegal logging, according to data from the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (09)