Indonesians Occupy, Cut Down Nearly 8,000 Hectares Of Managrove Forest

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"Hundreds of local residents have cut down mangrove forests in 2,800 hectares of coastal land in Sungai Burung, Seputih subdistrict, Central Lampung regency, which belonged to aquaculture firm PT Central Pertiwi Bahari (CPB). At least 833 residents occupied the land and constructed their own shrimp ponds there.

Johannes Kitono, the head of public relations at the company, said on Wednesday that another group of residents had occupied 5,000 hectares of the company's land in Sungai Nibung, Gedong Meneng subdistrict, Tulangbawang regency, some 100 kilometers east of Sungai Burung. "They have established 12 settlements in the area over the last two years. A total of more than 6,000 settlers are involved," Johannes said.

The squatters had built houses, and developed oil palm and cassava plantations on the land.

The government has awarded concessions in Lampung province to PT CPB extending to 22,721 hectares, some 3,500 hectares of which has been used for the development of industrial shrimp ponds. Kitono said that if the authorities failed to address the illegal occupation problem, the company was worried that it could ultimately threaten the existence of the industrial shrimp ponds."

EDIT

http://forests.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=31414