Environmentalists are sceptical
that plans to quadruple maximum jail terms from five to 20 years will be
effective.
Agence France-Presse
Wednesday 8 June 201611.52 BST
Indonesia plans to
quadruple maximum jail terms for animal poachers and traffickers in a major
overhaul of wildlife crime laws, but environmentalists expressed scepticism on Wednesday
that the changes would be effective.
Maximum sentences for poaching
and trading protected animals will be increased from five years to 20 under the
new legislation proposed by the environment and forestry ministry.
“We want stronger law enforcement,
we want people who transgress the law to face higher sentences,” Tachrir
Fathoni, a senior ministry official who is spearheading efforts get the law
passed, told AFP.
Indonesia is one of the most
biodiverse nations on Earth, home to vast tracts of rainforest and a
kaleidoscope of rare animals, from orangutans to
tigers and rhinos.
But many have been pushed to the brink
of extinction. While destruction of their habitats due to rampant
logging has played a role, endangered animals are also frequently
targeted by poachers who sell their body parts for use in Chinese medicine.
The government has faced
criticism for inaction, with green groups saying laws relating to
protected animals are not strong enough.
The environment and forestry
ministry hopes the planned overhaul of the old law, which dates from 1990, can
improve the situation.
The ministry will submit its
proposal to parliament in the coming months, and hopes the new regulations will
come into force next year.
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