Zoo relocation plan opposed

Zoo relocation plan opposed

SEMARANG: Residents of the Central Java capital of Semarang
strongly oppose the mayor's plan to relocate the Tinjomoyo Zoo to
Mijen.

Psychology and Environmental Study Foundation chairman
Wijanarko said here on Thursday that relocation of the zoo was
unnecessary.

"Unstable land and low visitor numbers could not be the reason
for relocating the zoo," Wijanarko said.

Not all of the zoo area sits on unstable land according to
Wijanarko, while he says that existing land problems could be
solved with architectural technology.

"Many buildings are still standing there," he said.

Tinjomoyo, where the zoo complex is now standing, is
environmentally more sound than Mijen, which is located between
Lemah Mendah and Tambangan, areas rich in teakwood, he said.

"If the zoo complex is moved to Mijen, deforestation will take
place in Lemah Mendah and Tambangan. This will lead to a natural
disaster as the teakwood forest is a water catchment area for
Semarang and its surrounding areas," he said.

Another protest came from Pteropus Vamiyus Indonesia
Foundation chairman Thomas Fery, who said that the mayoralty
could not arbitrarily move the zoo to Mijen.

"Thorough studies must be conducted before deciding to move
the zoo," Thomas said. --Antara