TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) of Cilacap says that the environmental damage in Nusakambangan Island has reached 40 percent.
“This is taken from a valid source, I have been there seeing for my self and interviewing the local residents, said a member of Golkar faction, Yayan Rusyawan.
According to Yayan, the ecosystem damage in Nusakambangan is occuring in Selokjero, Bantapanjang, Kalijati, Jengkolan, Jongorasu, and Karanglena. He believes that the damage was due to illegal logging and land-opening by the residents.
Still according to Yayan, there are tens hectares of land currently planted with production plantations in the island.
“There is 10-hectare rubber plantations. It is not clear who own the plantation. Also, there are oranges, papaya, ceylon olive , and albasia plantations,” Yayan said.
Moreover, the mangrove along Segara Anakan has been reduced to 30 percent.
“The government have to be strict to save the island which is a part of Cilacap.”
The head of PT Holcim Cilacap Deny Nuryadin said Holcim, which operates a mining site on the island, has taken required steps to restore the forest on their ex-mining area.
“We also have our own seeding area for plantations endemic to Nusakambangan,” said Deny.
ARIS ANDRIANTO
