The central and regional governments, businessmen holding Forest Management Rights (HPH), paper factories and major plantations are the main cause of this destruction of the forests, said Mukri Friatna, Indonesian Environmental Association (Walhi) Lampung executive director.
Friatna pointed out that already 80 percent of the total forest area in Lampung province had been destroyed.
It is estimated that only 300,000 hectares out of the original 1,124,000 hectares of forest remain Lampung. Another reason for the destruction of forest areas in Lampung is illegal logging activities, particularly in Way Kambas National Park and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park.
Friatna said it was very difficult to stop illegal logging activities as it is suspected that military and police are involved. (Fadilasari-Tempo News Room)