PT Arco's gas exploration in Irian Jaya threatening mangrove forest

The Tangguh (Irian Jaya) gas project owned PT Atlantic Richfield Company (Arco) of the United States is feared to be threatening mangrove forests in Berau Gulf shared by Manokwari, Sorong and Fakfak districts, according to the Environmental Impact Management Agency's Irian Jaya branch (Bapedalda Irian Jaya).

The head of the Bapepalda Irian Jaya, Ali Kastella, warned the company to pay attention to the environmental impacts of its operation in the territory to prevent future conflicts with local people and also environmentalists.

Ali Kastela said in Jayapura, the capital of Irian Jaya, on Tuesday that the mangrove forests dominate the Berau Gulf area and become the main source of lives in the area. Lives of many animals, fish and birds depend on the mangrove forests. And those animals, fish and birds have become the main source of living for people in the three districts - Manokwari, Sorong and Fakfak.

"Therefore, the company must pay attention to the environmental issues so that problems like those faced by (gold and copper miner) PT Freeport Indonesia will not happen again in Tangguh, moreover the political situation in Irian Jaya is heightening now that could encourage a third party to sue the company," he said.

Arco is currently building supporting infrastructure, including roads and housing projects, for its liquefied natural gas project in Tangguh - dubbed to be the largest LNG project in Asia- Pacific region. (*)