Indonesia takes measures to stop illegal mining, logging

The Indonesian government has taken measures to protect environment and preserve resources by declaring efforts to stop illegal mining, logging and fishing.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Friday warned those damaging natural resources at sea, forest and land would face stern legal action.

"There is no compromising on illegal fishing, illegal mining and illegal logging, which cause severe damages on environment," President Widodo said at presidential palace in Bogor town after commemorating the World's Environment Day.

"I have ordered authorities to impose stern actions on enforcing laws. This is important," he added.

Indonesian marine and fishery ministry has sunk dozens of ships for illegally fishing and exploring resources at Indonesian waters.

President Jokowi, as the president is popularly known, still sticks on his policy to punish the vessels despite of criticism from neighboring countries.

On mining, the president has asked for stopping the illegal mining which has resulted severe damage on environment and forest as well as great financial loss.

Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya said that based on the ministry's survey, most of the illegal mining are well organized by provincial administrations, private sectors and organizations.

Indonesia is the world's largest exporter of coal for power stations and refined tin and was top exporter of nickel ore, and the home of the world second-biggest copper mine.

Taking an example of illegal mining in Gunung Botak of Maluku province, Minister Nurbaya disclosed that 10,000 illegal miners are well organized.

"In fact, they are organized. There are some private sectors, provincial administrations and organizations behind them. There is no choice except to bring them to legal process," said Nurbaya.

To protect forest and environment, the minister said that her ministry mulls suspension of issuance of new permits for mineral and coal mining until the end of this year as many miners fail to meet reclamation on their ex-mining areas.

"It is not only coal mining, but also mineral mining that have caused severe damages on environment," she said at the presidential palace in Bogor town on Friday.

"So, for new license applications, we will suspend to issue it until the end of this year," said Nurbaya.

Minister Nurbaya said that a team in charge of evaluating the license has been working to evaluate the existing licensing.

Indonesia has 99.6 hectares forest or 52.3 percent of the country's territory, according to data from forestry ministry in 2012.

Indonesia's rainforests are one of the most biologically and culturally rich landscapes in the world as it possesses over 3,000 animal species including Sumatran tigers, pygmy elephants, rhinoceros and orangutans. Endi