Friday 20 November 2009

North Sumatra forests in critical condition

North Sumatra forests in critical condition


Friday, November 20, 2009 21:46 WIB | Environment

Medan, North Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Of the 3.7 million hectares of forests in North Sumatra, some 30 percent are now in critical conditions as a result of deforestation, a forestry official said.

Head of North Sumatra`s Forestry Service JB Siringoringo said here on Friday that almost all districts in North Sumatra had damaged forest areas.

The forest areas were damaged due to illegal logging, forest fires, deforestation and forest degradation, he said.

"This condition needs our serious attention because otherwise damage to the forest areas in this province will continue to expand," he said.

He said that damage to forests would help contribute to the global warming and climate change which had become a major environmental problem to human beings.

"Our forests play a very important role in providing a means of carbon sinks," he said.(*)

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