tff-indonesia.org

Experts: Protection of Indonesian Wildlife Too Weak

Thursday, 22 October 2009 07:00

Experts: Protection of Indonesian Wildlife Too Weak - http://thejakartaglobe.com

Activists on Thursday urged the newly appointed forestry minister to tackle the persistent problem of illegal wildlife trading.

The latest survey carried out by ProFauna Indonesia and World Animal Net showed that 183 animals belonging to 25 endangered species were traded openly in 70 markets across Java, including the Lorius lory, the Javan langur, the tarsius, the Moluccan cockatoo, the black eagle and the hornbill.

East Java and Depok ranked highest in the list of provinces and cities that were home to the open sale of protected species.

“Though the new minister has no background whatsoever on forestry, we hope that in the future he will address wildlife trading, not only illegal logging,” said Tri Prayudhi, ProFauna’s campaign officer.

The new minister, Zulkiefli Hasan, the secretary general of the National Mandate Party (PAN), is a former lawmaker and businessman.

Tri said the biggest problem in stopping wildlife trading was the lack of law enforcement.

“The law enforcement for wildlife trading in this country is very weak,” he said, adding that in one case in Bali a few weeks ago, the violators bribed their way out of trouble. “If we wanted it to be ideal, then the President should have declared wildlife crime a national crime, like illegal logging, because then the Forestry Ministry could work with other sectors to help them tackle this issue more seriously.”

Under the 1990 Law on the Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems, the persons caught trading endangered species can face up to five years in prison and fines of up to Rp 100 million ($10,000).

Tri said illegal wildlife trading cost Indonesia Rp 9 billion per year.

Based on the survey, a small primate, such as the tarsius, could cost around Rp 500,000 ($53), while a Javan langur could fetch Rp 200,000, and a Lorius lory could go for anything from Rp 75,000 to Rp 250,000. Parrots, according to the survey, are considerably more expensive, costing up to Rp 1 million.

Noviar Andayani, Indonesian director of the Wildlife Conservation Society, said preserving biodiversity had become a second priority to illegal logging and other forest issues because the government had adopted no consistent policy on the issue.

“Everyone is talking about climate change now, and apparently Indonesia’s chance to prevent its impacts is through the forestry sector, namely by slowing down the rate of deforestation,” Noviar said. “However, forests are still known for [their] trees, not their biodiversity,” which he said could also feel the impacts of climate change.