Walhi demands govt to revoke ruling on the use of forest for mining sector

The prominent environmental grouping Walhi has demanded the government to drop the ruling issued by the office of the coordinating ministry for economy, which would provide opportunity for mining firms to expand operation into the forest area.

Walhi executive director Emmy Hafild said that even without the ruling, mining companies had often expand their operation into the protected forest areas.

Emmy said that the ruling would only create more conflict between the mining companies and local people as well environmental groupings.

The government recently issued a ruling to set up a team to evaluate the use of forest for the mining sector.

Emmy forecast that conflict between mining companies and environmental groupings in 2001 would intensify. (R. Amoros)