Illegal miners enter conservation area
Tuesday, June 13 2000 - 03:30 AM WIB
Illegal mining activity has started to enter the Tanjung Puting National Park conservation area in Central Kalimantan, according to a local official.
Head of the Kumai sub district Abdul Yunus was quoted as saying by the local Banjarmasin Post daily that he was very concerned about the current condition of the national park.
He also said that in addition to illegal mining, the park was also being threatened by illegal logging activity.
The administration of Central Kalimantan is stepping up measure to curb illegal mining activities in the province particularly following the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 3/2000.
Illegal mining activity has been seen as threatening the local environment, and discouraging investors to enter the sector.
The most crucial test for the Central Kalimantan administration to curb illegal mining activity in the area is the current effort to oust illegal miners who had been occupying the mining sites of gold mining firm PT Indo Muro Kencana.
Meanwhile, the Banjarmasin Post daily also reported that the Batulicin sub district in the Kota Baru regency was being polluted by heavy stockpile of coal products of illegal miners.
The paper said that coal products were being piled up near public roads and some near school buildings. The paper said that this caused pollution to the surrounding area.(*)