JAYAPURA - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Papua Province reminded the public to stop cutting trees in forests that are catchment areas so that landslides do not occur.
According to the Head of BPBD Papua, Welliam R. Manderi, cutting down trees in forests or catchment areas has the potential to cause natural disasters. There are no more trees in the catchment area holding water when the rain comes.
In addition, another natural disaster is a water crisis which can then trigger many negative things for mankind.
"So indeed our appeal must be a common concern. The point is let's reduce the impact of natural disasters and people should not be too lazy to know with this appeal," explained Menderi in Jayapura, Wednesday.
"Now Papua is experiencing a water crisis and we appeal to residents not to destroy forests that are catchment areas," he said.
Manderi assures, shortly will return to socialization with the community so it can become a common understanding regarding how important it is to protect forests and the environment.
"Because Papua is known for hydro-meteorological disasters where extreme weather changes occur."
"That's why if we don't take care of this, there can be a shortage of water and it causes disaster for us, especially when there is heavy rain, it will cause landslides and others," he said.
On that occasion, Manderi also appealed to the community to protect their respective environments by not throwing garbage in random places or at times. Because of this, it can trigger other natural disasters such as floods. ***