Makassar, S.Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - Data from the Eco-region Management Center of Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua, show that forests and coral reefs in the three provinces have experienced the worst environmental damage nationally, a local official said.

"The worst damage is in the forest and coastal areas," Head of Environmental and Natural Resource Use of Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua Eco-region Management Center, Muhammad Nur said,

He said the opening of peat lands continued to occur and the poisoning of fish as well as coral bombing, also based on the reports they received, often take place in the coastal areas of Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua.

According to Nur, it was done by traditional fishermen, therefore the center was making efforts such us socialization to make local fishermen know how to catch fish safely and understand about environmental issues in general.

In addition, at locations that have experienced environmental damage, the recovery action done also depend on the damage, for instance creating an artificial reef.

But it is not sure how extensive the coral damage occurring at the waters. It is estimated only 2.5 percent of reefs that are still intact.

Meanwhile, the environment ministry`s deputy II field of pollution control, Karliansyah said, for Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua region or Indonesia eastern regions, air quality is still good compared to Java and other islands.

However, the water and watershed damages also occur in 30 rivers in Indonesia ranging from mild, moderate to severe levels.
(T.KR-LWA/HAJM/R013)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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