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Gemstone mining threatens Wonogiri protected forest

Solo, Ekuatorial – Recent high demand on gemstones is threatening environment in Wonogori forest of Central Java, due to traditional way of mining, said a local official on Thursday (2/4).

At least three sub districts, — Kismantoro, Jatiroto, and Tirtomoyo –, are being targeted by local miners for Fire Opal stone which is claimed as the best quality in the world.

Jhoni Andarhadi, deputy chair of Surakarta Forest Management Unit, said that damages have been spotted in Bukit Manggal protected forest located in Hargantoro village of Tirtomoyo, one of the areas targeted by stone miners.

During their recent field trip made by local officials, Andarhadi said that they have found holes in the hill most probably resulted from stone mining by local villagers.

“We met with members of Wonogiri house of representatives and examined the condition in the field,” he said adding that Bukit Manggal is a protected forest owned by Perhutani.

After the visit, he said that lawmakers urged for Perhutani to control mining activities in its area to reduce impacts of environmental damages, such as landslides.

“It is also to prevent any casualties [from mining activities] because to be able to reach those stones, miners need to use a ten meter stair made of bamboo without protection at all. In addition, they are mining above deep ravine,” he said.

To obtain gemstone the size of an adult’s hand, miners have to dig a very big hole fit for men. However, not all digging resulted to find desired gemstones. As a result, they usually just leave those holes open and make new ones in different areas.

“Consequently, if rain season comes, there will be erosion and materials from the digging will be drifted by water to Gajah Mungkur dam resulted to sedimentation of the dam,” he said adding that Danar Rahmanto, Wonogiri Bupati, supported on rules to mine gemstone in protected forests.

Similar to Bukit Manggal, miners from outside Sukoharjo also hunt for Lavender gemstone in Bulu Sukoharjo hills, despite of police line from Sukoharjo police and announcement board stating that people violated protected forests will be charged with five years in prison or Rp 10 billion (US$770,120) of fine. Bramantyo

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