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. We admit that there are forest encroachment [either by individuals and companies,” said Herry Rotinsulu, head of North Sulawesi agency, in Manado.
“Currently, we are inventorying any kinds of activities in the forests located in 14 districts and cities of North Sulawesi [as a result of increasing illegal logging and encroachment by plantation and mining activities],” said Rotinsulu adding that Environment and Forestry Ministry has the right to grant lent-use permit on forest area.
To anticipate illegal logging, South Bolmong district official instructed all of its camat (head of sub-district) and sangadi (village chiefs) not to give any permits to individuals or any parties to cut trees or open up new plantations.
Head of South Bolmong Forestry and Plantation agency, Maxi Limbat, said that illegal logging in his area required special treatments because most of them caught claimed they have no idea it was forest area.
“So, we have instructed camat and sangadi to ban all parties to cut trees in the forest. It goes also for land opening, they must report immediately to the agency,” said Limbat adding that local government was under fire for lack of socialization.
“It is true. Lots of people don’t really understand about protected forest area, production forest, limited production forest and other forest areas,” he said. “This is the role of village administration to coordinate before making their own decision.”
Erwin Makalunsenge, Bolaang Mongondow Raya (BMR) activist, said encouraged local officials to optimize the socialization.
“Besides camat and sangadi, other institutions also need to work extra. There should be socialization in all villages on forest areas in South Bolmong. In addition, field monitoring by forest police need to be maximized,” said Makalunsenge. Yoseph Ikanubun