Tuesday, 15 September 2015

MORE THAN JUST ECONOMIC VICE, ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME THREATENS HUMAN LIFE



Through 2014 the Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Forestry had handled not less than 200 cases including illegal logging, Forest exploitation and smuggling and trading of wild protected animals. Over the past 6 months till May 2015 the integrated team of Deforestation and Environment had received 280 cases.

“Some of the big cases were complicated well organized crime of international linkages. In accordance with President’s commitment the Ministry of Environment had to take firm and uncompromising action on such a crime” Rasio Ridho Sani, the Director General of Law Enforcement of the ministry of Environmental Affairs and Forestry was quoted as saying.

Today the Ministry of Environmental Affairs was preparing a concept to revise Law No 5 year 1990 on Conservation of Natural Resources and Economic system. By that concept convicts would be severely punished for deterrent effect.

Today all officials of Director General of Law Enforcement agreed to step up sanctioning on forest crime trough multidoor power and collaboration by scientific approach and systematic thinking.

Law Enforcement which did not bring deterrent effect would diminish public trusts in the Government. Damaged forest would reduce the function of environment to Man, causing ecologic disaster and even threatened human life.

Illegal logging big loss to the state, economy wise, but the biggest threat was on the safety of communities living near the forest. Many natural disasters happened because of poor forest coverage.

Separately the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Forestry Siti Nurbaya stated that for trading of wild animals, by Law no. 5 years 1990 the punishment was 5 years of imprisonment and fine of Rp100 million. Such publishment was to lenient and would not cause any deterrent effect and must therefore be revised.

Admittedly law enforcement for illegal trading of protected animals was not easy, considering Indonesia’s vast wilderness and the so many animals to protected. Still the Government was committed to crackdown on this crime.

About forest damaging Bambang Hendroyono stated that at present there were three National Game Parks i.e. Gunung Lauser, Kerinci Seblat and Bukit Barisan being damaged; in 2014 deforestation was posted at 128,994.9 ha.

The areas had changed their function to become plantations, dry agriculture and other purposes. To overcome the problem a map of zonation was drawn so the public could use the forest without damaging the eco system.

In the execution of zoning the Government could involve Non Governmental Organizations whereby the people were permitted to use land but not own them, thereby the people would have their income while the eco system was well guarded. (SS)

Business News - June 19, 2015

 

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