Indonesian government announce elephant protection plans: 29-08-2008
More forest area will be given over to endangered elephants and tigers on Sumatra Island in Indonesia, as ordered by the government.
Tesso Nilo National Park will now expand from 38,000 to 86,000 hectares to help protect the endangered animals.
WWF-Indonesia, who has been working with the government, has welcomed the plans.
"This is an important milestone toward securing a future for the Sumatran elephant and tiger," claims WWF-Indonesia's chief executive Dr Mubariq Ahmad.
"To ensure that the commitment is effectively implemented, we must redouble our efforts on the ground to eliminate poaching and illegal settlements within this special forest."
Tesso Nilo National Park was created four years ago in the Riau Province.
But Mr Ahmed insists more still needs to be done. He said: "While we greatly appreciate this precedent for more protection from the Indonesian government, there are other areas on Sumatra that need safeguarding for the sake of its wildlife, its threatened indigenous peoples and to reduce the climate impacts of clearing."
Another problem in the Riau province is the threat of deforestation. The area has lost 65 per cent of its forests in just quarter of a century, so the extension of the park will also help in this regard.