Govt may allow protected forests for mining activity

The government has revealed plans to amend the law on natural resource conservation, which could pave the way for mining companies to exploit the country?s rich mineral resources in protected forests. Jakarta Post reported

Director general for forest protection and natural conservation at the Forestry Ministry, Daruri, said that many mineral resources, including coal or geothermal sources were located in conservation forests.

?We are now reviewing articles prohibiting mining activities in conservation forests,? Daruri said on Wednesday.

Daruri, however, immediately warned environmental activists not to politicize the plans. ?We will only change the law if there is guarantee that mining activities will not damage conservation forests,? he said.

?But we need a law as an umbrella for conserving the forest.? (*)