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Aru Islands threatened by plantation

Jakarta, EkuatorialAmid massive marine awareness campaign by government, activists on Wednesday (17/12) blasted permit given by ministry of forestry to turn natural forest of Aru Islands of northern Papua to become plantation.

“We already know that Aru [island] is not suitable for plantation but permits were being issued. It is possible that they just want to cut down its trees similar to coffee plantation [previous permit holder]. They cut down trees but instead of plant coffee, they just ran off,” said Rukka Sombolinggi, AMAN’s international advocacy coordinator, in a discussion, in Jakarta.

Sombolinggi refer to a permit, No. 5984/Menhut-VI/BRPUK/2014, issued by then Minister of Forestry Zulkifli Hasan, on Sept. 30.

Mufti Fathul Barri, researcher of Forest Watch Indonesia (FWI) said that massive land clearing in Aru Islands would affected its neighboring islands. “People will suffer because forest clearing will eliminate water sources for their livelihood, starting from fish, mangrove crabs, sago, and losing forests as their hunting ground,” said Barri adding that Aru biodiversity would also be lost.

Based on FWI data between 2013-14, Aru Islands comprise of 660,000 hectares or 83 percent of natural forests which spread out to its 187 small islands.

Barri said Aru islands were reflecting Indonesia’s pride as a maritime country, in addition that six out of the total of Aru islands were located in outermost region of the country. If Aru islands disappears, he said Indonesia’s identity as maritime country will also disappear.

“It is impossible to achieve Indonesia as global maritime axis without protecting small islands natural resources,” he said.

Jacky Manuputi,founder of Save Aru, said plantation was not the best solution to increase people’s welfare. Furthermore, Manuputi said that fisheries were more suitable to develop for Aru Islands. “Fisheries are mostly stolen by other countries, which accommodated by the navy and water police. It’s quite during the day but changed into metropolitan [city] during night,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mika Ganobal, Save Aru coordinator said that local people rejected all companies operating in their region. Ganobal said that people of Aru has been living side by side with nature and they will protect it for next generations.

“Though you give us one billion per family, we will say no. Because, we know that plantation will not last forever. We want our next generation to be able to experience forest,” said Ganobal. Januar Hakam

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