Mining and palm oil in crosshairs after Indonesian floods
Environmentalists accuse industries of causing ecological disaster through deforestation born out of greed
People use inflatable boats in Hulu Sungai Tengah district in South Kalimantan province on Jan. 15 after flooding hit the region. Environmentalists say the flood was the result of mining and palm oil operations. (Photo supplied)
Greed in the mining and palm oil plantation industries has caused massive ecological disasters, particularly in deforested areas such as in South Kalimantan, which was hit by flash floods last week, environmentalists have warned.
Heavy rain sparked floods on Jan. 15 that hit 11 of 14 districts and cities in South Kalimantan in which more than 20 people died. Several regions were still flooded as of Jan. 22.
Jakarta, Indonesia – In the centre of the vast Indonesian archipelago – hundreds of giant lizards roam Rinca Island.
The Komodo dragon – or Komodo monitor – is the world’s largest and heaviest lizard. Fossils indicate they have ancient origins dating back millions of years.
A recent study found the lizard might have actually evolved in Australia, but today the vulnerable animal can only be found in the wild in Indonesia – a source of pride for the locals who live alongside them.
The majority of the dragons live in the Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site spread across three Indonesian islands that was first established in 1980.
10 Jan Indonesia plane crash: A child’s pink T-shirt, a newly married couple and a mom s heartbreaking last post Share
Photographs have been released of officials recovering debris and other items from the suspected crash site.
One family believes a child’s pink T-shirt that was recovered is that of four-year-old Yumna Fani Syatuzahr.
A post by Yumna s mom captioned: “Bye bye all my family … We’re going home ya” shared before boarding the plane has since gone viral.
Families and friends of the passengers on Sriwijaya Air flight SJ 182 which crashed into the Java Sea soon after takeoff on Saturday have spoken about the deadly incident, saying they still have hope despite the plane’s flight recorders, which record cockpit voice and flight data, being located.