Illegal logging threatens parks

Source: The Jakarta Post - February 03, 2006
Medan, North Sumatra

Illegal logging threatens the future of Batang Gadis and Gunung Leuser national parks in North Sumatra, according to the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) on Thursday. The forum said the destruction of Gunung Leuser in Langkat regency had reached 25 percent of its 200,000 hectares, while Batang Gadis park in Mandailing Natal had lost 15 percent of its 108,000 hectares of forest.

The forum's executive director in North Sumatra, Job Rachmat Purba, said illegal logging in the two parks had been going on for some time and alleged that it involved the police, military and forestry officials.

"Batang Gadis and Gunung Leuser national parks are facing critical degradation caused by illegal logging activities," Job told The Jakarta Post.

The director of the North Sumatra Police's criminal division, Sr. Comr. Ronny F. Sompie, said police did not play down the alleged involvement of officers in illegal logging in the park.

"We have received information on the involvement of officers and several businesspeople in illegal logging in North Sumatra. The police are currently gathering evidence to arrest them. We have no reluctance to arrest any officers proven to be involved in illegal logging," he said.

North Sumatra Police arrested four people, including a forestry official in Mandailing Natal regency, for their alleged involvement in illegal logging in Batang Gadis National Park on Thursday. -- JP