Business Takes Another Swipe at the Environment

The mining industry already controls half of Indonesia, including many conservation areas. Is the unique environment of Gag Island its next victim?

March 19, 2002

Environmental conservation continues to be a meaningless slogan. Various conservation zones in the country remain in the grip of business and industrial exploitation. Twelve million hectares in total, of which 9 million are protected forests, have become exploration fields for about 150 mining companies.

For example, Gag Island in the Bird's Head region of Sorong, Irian Jaya, has been confirmed as a protected forest zone since 1999. However,

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