Stop controversy over mining operations on protected forests!
Friday, February 1 2002 - 02:07 AM WIB
?The problem should be settled wisely. But the decision should not only be based on a short-term economic benefits, but also based on the long-term impact of such mining activities on the environment,? a forestry expert Hasanu Simon said in Yogyakarta on Thursday.
Simon said that the difference on the ministries? perception on the status of the open-mining operations on protected forests occurred because the government did not have a master plan on the use of the country?s forests.
Due to the lack of the master plan, the forestry problem is always settled through a pragmatic approach based on short-term benefits, rather than on the long-term impact of such activities.
Purnomo has called on the Cabinet to revise the forestry law, which has been charged as an anti-mining operation. But the forestry minister said that he would oppose any move to revise the law although a number of investors said that they had to suspend their mining projects due to the uncertainty about the status of their concession areas.
According to the forestry law, which was introduced early 2000, open-mining operations could not be conducted on forest conservation areas. The problem arises because many mining concessions issued by the ministry of energy and mineral resources before the introduction of the law occupy part of protected forests.
Purnomo demanded a revision or at least the mining concessions, which were issued before the introduction of the law, should be exempted. (*)