JAMBI, Jambi (JP): Illegal logging at the Bukit Dua
Belas National Park here has become rampant despite the
fact that the park was declared a protected area by
President Abdurrahman Wahid in January this year.
Quoting unconfirmed reports, Erdi Taufik, chairman of
the Communication and Conservation Center, a local
non-governmental organization dealing with environmental
affairs, said that at least 200 cubic meters of logs had
been illegally cut and sold without proper documents.
"These activities have become a serious threat to
the conservation area. Hundreds of trees are cut and taken
out of the area everyday, while the conservation park only
covers a total of 60.5 hectares," Erdi said, adding
that anyone entering the park would soon hear the chain
saws buzzing.
He said that the illegal loggers were mostly residents
of 22 villages around the park.
"Stern action must be taken to deal with the
illegal logging, or the conservation area will disappear
in just a short time".
The legal plywood industry in the province of Jambi
requires a total of 3.8 million cubic meters of timber,
while the local forests can supply only about 1.1. million
cubic meters.
Thus, the factories need an additional 2.7 million
cubic meters, and this has apparently prompted the
villagers to cut the trees in the park.
But the plywood factories deny this.
Ateng, an official with a local plywood factory, said
to The Jakarta Post that while the factories needed
more logs, they refused to source them from illegal
loggers. "We don't want illegal logs," he
stressed. (33)
