Dozens of locals in Paliyan, Temon, Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta incorporated in the Wahana Tri Tunggal (WTT) rally support to resist the plan to build a new airport in Kulon Progo. This mega project was considered troubling the locals due to the risk of losing their agricultural land. [Read full text on Kabar Kota]
Category: Java
Scientist: Palm Plantations Hurt Biodiversity
Scientific research reveals that oil-palm plantations established on primary or secondary forests are unsuitable habitats for the majority of forest-dwelling native species, a finding that indicates biodiversity may be compromised, according to a new report. On the downside for forests, expanding oil palm cultivation leads to deforestation and destroys natural habitats, said Sini Savilaakso, a tropical forest ecologist […]
“Mount Ciremai for Sale” and Geothermal Complicated Issue
Following Geothermal Energy development by Chevron at Mount Ciremai area in West Java, many rumors erupted. One silly issue says Ciremai have been sold by the government at the price of Rp 60 trillion to Chevron Geothermal Ltd. This issue is considered as a reflection the complexity of developing geothermal energy in Indonesia. [Story by […]
Companies Investigated Over Forest Fires in Riau
The Riau Police are looking for companies or financiers believed to have hired farmers and residents to clear trees by fire. “We are searching for the financiers,” Riau Police chief Brig. Gen. Condro Kirono told the media at a coordinated meeting at the Riau Haze Disaster Mitigation command post at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base in Pekanbaru […]
Mbuti People not to Blame for Sea Abrasion
The intensity of sand excavations at Lampu Satu Beach and surrounding areas has resulted sea abrasion, but when many houses of local community were affected by seawater, some people blamed it on Mbuti people. [Continue reading on Tabloid Jubi]
Farming Threatens Wetlands
Conversions into agriculture and plantations are the biggest threats to wetlands in Indonesia. More than 9 million hectares have been turned into oil palm plantations.
Surya Panen Subur Company Ready for Fires Trial
Company of Surya Panen Subur (SPS) expressed their readiness to face a lawsuit filed by the Ministry of Environment and the Presidential Work Unit for Monitoring and Control of Development alleged land combustion and fire omission. The trial will be held in the District Court of Meulaboh early March this year. SPS counsel explained that […]
Indonesian environmentalists reject deforestation map
The Global Forest Watch 2.0, an interactive platform to track global deforestation in near-real time data, was launched on Thursday aimed to provide reliable and up to date data that can help in better forest policies and management. Developed by the World Resources Institute, the University of Maryland, Google, the UN Environment Program and other […]
Biosphere Reserve Forests in Riau Endangered
Giam Siak Kecil and Bukit Batu biosphere reserve forests in Bengkalis Regency, Riau have become endangered due to forest fires that occur over the last two weeks. “[The fires] have burnt around 1,000 hectares and they keep spreading,” Bengkalis Police chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Andry Wibowo told Tempo on Thursday, February 20, 2014. [Continue reading on Tempo]
Number of hotspots in Riau doubles
The number of hotspots of forest, plantation and peatland fires in Riau reached 256 on Wednesday morning, more than double the 126 of the previous day. Of the 281 hotspots detected across Sumatra Island, 256 were found in Riau, Slamet Riyadi, the head of the Pekanbaru meteorological, climatology and geophysics agency (BMKG)’s data and information section, […]