North Sulawesi government steps up its game to fight illegal logging and forest encroachment

Manado, Ekuatorial – Following illegal logging and forest encroachment for plantation and mining, North Sulawesi official on Thursday (9/4) said that they have been inventorying activities to protect its remaining forest area. “Forest cover in North Sulawesi reach 764,739.27 hectares comprises of conservation forest, converted production forest, protected forest, limited production forest, and production forest. […]

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 […]

Green groups call for banned all permits on forest exploitation in Aceh

Aceh Tamiang, Ekuatorial – A coalition of green groups demanded for Aceh Tamiang government banned all permits issuance related to forest exploitation, in Aceh Tamiang, on Thursday (25/3). The Coalition to Save Forest and Environment just released a policy brief calling for moratorium on forest permit issuance for mining and plantation in Aceh Tamiang district. […]

Lampung Port Police confiscates illegal turtles headed to Jakarta

Bandarlampung, Ekuatorial – Bakauheni port police confiscated 41 Asiatic softshell turtles (amyda certilaginea) with no official documents, said an official, in Bandarlampung, on Wednesday (25/3). Feria Kurniawan, head of Bakauheni Port Police, said that they were found at the back of a white truck with police number BH 8888 GU from Jambi headed to Jakarta. […]

Aceh govt declares Tripa peats as protected areas

Banda Aceh, Ekuatorial – After years of legal battle, Aceh government finally declared Tripa peat swamp as protected areas, on Saturday (21/3), as stated in a press release by Coalition to Save the Tripa Peat Swamp Forest. In 2012, Tripa peat swamp made international news headlines after massive fires raged throughout the area questioning Indonesia’s […]

Elephants roamed through plantations but still under control, activist said

Bandarlampung, Ekuatorial – Though herd of elephants seen at villagers’ plantations, local activist said on Wednesday (18/3) that they were still relatively under control. For the past week, villagers of Balik Bukit have spotted elephants passing through their plantations located at buffer zone of Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, in West Lampung. Ali Rizky Arrasy […]

Indonesian Army gives green energy lamp for Acehnese

Aceh Timur, Ekuatorial – The Indonesian Army on Tuesday (17/3) installed environmentally-friendly lamps, stoves, and gas for poor people with limited access to electricity in East Aceh. The programs dubbed as People’s Army Energy Saving Lamps (Lentera), People’s Villages Supervisory Non-Commissioned Officer Stove (Kombara), and People’s Army Gas Engine (Mogantara) were distributed by East Aceh […]