Forestry Minister Spots Illegal Logging During Hotspot Monitoring

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya, spotted an illegal logging activity during a hot spot monitoring from a helicopter above Jambi, Antara news reported.

“Yes, we found lots of illegal logging activity there. Many not fully cut down the trees so it was not too obvious that the trees have been cut down. They are quite smart,” said the minister.

According to her observation, the minister said that the illegal logs are transported via canals.

“Canals were spotted in the locations that are used as transportation route, however the Environment Ministry will perform checking. We had marked the coordinate from our observation in the air.”

These illegal loggings, according to the Minister, were seen in the area of Forest concession Right Holder (HPH) Pesona Belantara next to HPH Putra Duta.

Jambi Governor, Hasan Basri Agus said he will follow up the finding by performing field check. The Head of Jambi Province Forestry Agency, Irmansyah, however, admitted that such activity in those areas is indeed an illegal logging. He said raid in coordination with wider sector networks is needed to eradicate the activity.

ANTARA