VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta (voinews): The Environment and Forestry Ministry urged governments in regions, particularly Bengkulu Province, to report to the ministry's law enforcement division about palm oil companies suspected of deliberately destroying forest areas.

Director general of sustainable forest management at the Environment and Forestry Ministry Agus Justianto stated that the appeal was made in the wake of hundreds of hectares of Bengkulu Forests being allegedly encroached upon by palm oil plantations and companies.

"We have a law enforcement mechanism (in place) through the director general of law enforcement at the Environment and Forestry Ministry, which will further (investigate) existing reports," he remarked.

Regional governments, non-governmental organizations, and general public could report such activities, provided they have accurate data and information, he remarked.

Once the data was complete and sent to the ministry, it would be followed up through a verification process, in which a team from the ministry would be sent to the site, before it could be determined as an encroachment case, Juslianto elaborated.

"You have to have accurate data and information. Only then a team from the Environment and Forestry Ministry will be dispatched to the region to confirm this case by bringing the National Land Agency to measure the area in question to see whether it is included in a forest area or not," he remarked.

Moreover, he urged the regional governments to also keep an eye out for misuse of forest areas. In the event of such instances being found, they should report it.

His side has constantly warned on prevention of such cases of forest encroachment, so they would not recur, as it would damage the environment and compromise the local ecology.

"If the intention for encroachment is proven, then criminal sanctions will be imposed. However, if the encroachment has already been done, yet there is no intention (for such), then there will be compensation that must be made or non-tax state levies," he concluded. (Reuters)