Togean named 'protected' islands

PALU, Central Sulawesi: The government must declare the Togean islands near here a protected area before the pristine local ecosystem deteriorates further, an official urged on Friday.

"I am afraid both the land and marine ecosystems of the islands will be damaged if no form of protection is given to their flora and fauna," the head of the Natural Conservation Center here, Banjar Yulianto, was quoted by Antara as saying.

He said the Center had been campaigning to protect the Togean island's environment since August 1989, proposing that only 100,000 hectares of the island be opened to marine tourism.

He said the proposal was being debated by both local government bodies and non-governmental organizations.

He added the Center itself did not have any problem with the island's status. "It is up to them. The decision however should be clear so as to prevent the local people from being harmed and to preserve the island's ecosystems," he added.