Lorentz National Park (IST)
Jayapura, 3/4 (Jubi) – Deforestation in Papua is threatening natural reservation programs that carried out at the Lorentz National Park and the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) may revoke its status as a world heritage site.
“Currently, two natural world heritage sites, Lorentz National Park and Tropical Reinforest Heritage of Sumatra or commonly known as Bukit Barisan are under threat and both status as world heritage sites might be revoked, Deputy V for the Coordination of Culture,Tourism,Youth and Sports Welfare Coordinating Ministry, Haswan Yunaz said.
The government has implemented several efforts to preserve the world heritage sites in order not to satisfy Unesco .
“For example, we’ve been asked to relocate residents who live in national park areas and construct the road that does not damage the nature conservation activities which is in line with the analysis of the environmental impacts, ” he explained.
The Indonesian government has proposed to UNESCO to fix the damage that occurs in the two national parks up to 5 years ahead.
Other 15 cultural heritages in Indonesia are Komodo National Park, Ujung Kulon , Subak in Bali , Borobudur Temple, Prambanan, Keris, Angklung ( traditional instrument) , Camshaft/Noken , Saman dance and Sangiran monument.
Early April , Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare, Agung Laksono said that it is necessary to consider the local layout when conducting road infrastructure development.
Therefore, the Minister reminded that the road infrastructure is not expected to cross the Lorentz National Park because it is a natural reservation.
“We refuse the road construction through Lorentz National Park because it will undermine our commitment to keep and preserve it. We will find an alternative solution,” he said.
Lorentz National Park was included as a world natural heritage site by UNESCO in 1999 and as a representative of the complete ecosystem. ( Jubi / Victor Mambor/ Tina )
