YOGYAKARTA - Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X said that illegal sand mining activities on the slopes of Mount Merapi are not pro-environmental because it causes severe environmental damage in the area.
"Just looking for sand but everything is damaged, so this is clear to me not pro-environment," said Sultan HB X at the Kepatihan complex, Yogyakarta, quoted by Antara, Monday, September 13.
The Sultan revealed this after previously visiting several locations where illegal sand mining was located on the slopes of Mount Merapi on Saturday, September 11.
Based on his observations, the Sultan said that the sand mining was carried out greedily, causing severe damage to the slopes of Mount Merapi and leaving a 50 to 80 meter deep excavated hole.
"I was actually surprised, I didn't think that the damage would be so severe, but without reclamation and so on. So if (according to) I was only looking for money. That's what I meant by greed," he said.
After learning about this condition, the Sultan decided to close 14 sand mining points, some of which are located on the Sultan Ground (SG) land. Moreover, mining takes place in the area without a permit.
"Indeed, there is no permit. So I closed all of them. There are 14 points," said the King of the Yogyakarta Palace.
All entrances to the mining site have been closed by the DIY local government by installing a portal.
The Sultan hopes that after the closure, there will be no more illegal sand mining activities in the area.
"By being given a portal, vehicles and so on cannot enter. The prohibition has been written there. Hopefully it will not be done, if it is done, it will be criminal," said Ngarsa Dalem.
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