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  Antara 1 Sep 06
Butterflies in W. Irian Jaya endangered

Kaimana, West Irian Jaya (ANTARA News) - Various butterfly species in Karora forest, Kaimana District, West Irian Jaya province, are currently on the brink of extinction.

The habitat of the butterflies was being damaged by a forest concession holder operating in Karora forest, deputy head of Kaimana District Matias Mairuma said here on Thursday.

The government has issued a forest concession license to PT Irma Sulindo through its subsidiary PT. Marindo to operate logging activities in Karora forest, the habitat of butterflies, which have high economic value.

The logging activities, however, have harmed the forest`s flora and fauna ecosystem, including butterflies. "It`s now very hard for the people to find various butterflies in the forest due to the impacts of the logging activities by PT. Irma Sulindo and its subsidiary PT.Marindo," Mairuma said.

Mairuma said that his district would breed butterflies in cooperation with international environmental organizations, such as The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

According to Mairuma, another concession holder, PT. Prabu Alaska, a subsidiary of PT. Djayanti Group, has also damaged the Kumawa Mountain nature preserves in Teluk Arguni District, which shares a border with Fak-fak District, also on Irian Island. (*)
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