Robber fly - Nature photographer Thomas Shahan specializes in amazing portraits of tiny insects. It isn't easy. Shahan says that this Robber Fly (Holcocephala fusca), for instance, is "skittish" and doesn't like its picture taken.

Nature by Numbers (Video)

"The Greater Akashic System" – July 15, 2012 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Caroll) (Subjects: Lightworkers, Intent, To meet God, Past lives, Universe/Galaxy, Earth, Pleiadians, Souls Reincarnate, Invention: Measure Quantum state in 3D, Recalibrates, Multi-Dimensional/Divine, Akashic System to change to new system, Before religion changed the system, DNA, Old system react to Karma, New system react to intent now for next life, Animals (around humans) reincarnate again, This Animal want to come back to the same human, Akashic Inheritance, Reincarnate as Family, Other Planets, Global Unity … etc.)

Question: Dear Kryon: I live in Spain. I am sorry if I will ask you a question you might have already answered, but the translations of your books are very slow and I might not have gathered all information you have already given. I am quite concerned about abandoned animals. It seems that many people buy animals for their children and as soon as they grow, they set them out somewhere. Recently I had the occasion to see a small kitten in the middle of the street. I did not immediately react, since I could have stopped and taken it, without getting out of the car. So, I went on and at the first occasion I could turn, I went back to see if I could take the kitten, but it was to late, somebody had already killed it. This happened some month ago, but I still feel very sorry for that kitten. I just would like to know, what kind of entity are these animals and how does this fit in our world. Are these entities which choose this kind of life, like we do choose our kind of Human life? I see so many abandoned animals and every time I see one, my heart aches... I would like to know more about them.

Answer: Dear one, indeed the answer has been given, but let us give it again so you all understand. Animals are here on earth for three (3) reasons.

(1) The balance of biological life. . . the circle of energy that is needed for you to exist in what you call "nature."

(2) To be harvested. Yes, it's true. Many exist for your sustenance, and this is appropriate. It is a harmony between Human and animal, and always has. Remember the buffalo that willingly came into the indigenous tribes to be sacrificed when called? These are stories that you should examine again. The inappropriateness of today's culture is how these precious creatures are treated. Did you know that if there was an honoring ceremony at their death, they would nourish you better? Did you know that there is ceremony that could benefit all of humanity in this way. Perhaps it's time you saw it.

(3) To be loved and to love. For many cultures, animals serve as surrogate children, loved and taken care of. It gives Humans a chance to show compassion when they need it, and to have unconditional love when they need it. This is extremely important to many, and provides balance and centering for many.

Do animals know all this? At a basic level, they do. Not in the way you "know," but in a cellular awareness they understand that they are here in service to planet earth. If you honor them in all three instances, then balance will be the result. Your feelings about their treatment is important. Temper your reactions with the spiritual logic of their appropriateness and their service to humanity. Honor them in all three cases.

Dian Fossey's birthday celebrated with a Google doodle

Dian Fossey's birthday celebrated with a Google doodle
American zoologist played by Sigourney Weaver in the film Gorillas in the Mist would have been 82 on Thursday (16 January 2014)

Monday, February 28, 2011

Javan Rhinos and Their Calves Caught on Film

The Jakarta Globe, February 28, 2011

Related articles

Two Javan rhinos and their calves have been caught on film by WWF Indonesia and Ujung Kulon National Park Authority.

Video documentation of two Javan rhinos and their calves
shows that the endangered species is breeding in Ujung
Kulon National Park. (AFP Photo)
The videos of the endangered species were recorded from November to December 2010.

A clip from the first video, which was recorded in November 2010, shows a mother and her male calf walking toward the camera. Several more videos of the family were obtained.

Another rhino family was documented in December 2010. The 30-second video shows a calf that is larger than the previous calf walking with its mother. The calf has been identified as a one-year-old female.

The videos prove that there are Javan rhinos breeding in Ujung Kulon National Park, Banten — which comes as good news after three Javan rhinos were found dead in the national park last year.

“The videos showing these two calves are important because they provide us with substantial information about the population dynamics of Javan rhinos in Ujung Kulon National Park,” said Agus Priambudi, the head of the Ujung Kulon National Park Authority, on Monday. He said the calves would help stablize the rhino population in Ujung Kulon at 50.

“These videos also provide us with some feedback about Javan rhino survey and monitoring systems, and we believe this information is important in ensuring the survival of the endangered species.”

This month Ujung Kulon National Park Authority took over management of the video camera traps in the park. Between 2001 and 2010, the video camera traps were jointly managed by the authority and WWF Indonesia.

“WFF is ready to support the management of video camera traps by the national park authority,” said Adhi Hariyadi, the project leader of the WWF Indonesia-Ujung Kulon Program. “We are more than willing to hand over survey methods and any information we have to ensure effective management in the future.”

After successfully identifying 14 rhino births within the last 10 years using camera traps, the study will now focus more on the habits, genetic diversity and diet of the Javan rhino, among other things.

“The documentation of a female calf is a breath of fresh air for us, and for Javan rhino conservation in general, as the majority of calves previously identified were male,” Adhi said.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Mud Volcano Set to Erupt for Quarter Century, Scientists

Jakarta Globe, February 24, 2011

Related articles

A mud volcano that has displaced more than 13,000 Indonesian families will erupt for at least a quarter of century, emitting belches of flammable gas through a deepening lake of sludge, scientists reported on Thursday.

A general view shows a village is covered by mud flow
from mount Merapi in Yogyakarta on Jan. 10, 2011.
Indonesia's most active volcano, Mount Merapi in central
Java, has killed more than 350 people in a series of
violent eruptions which started in late October. (AFP Photo)
Underground pressure means the volcano "Lusi," in Sidoarjo, East Java, is likely to gush grey mud until 2037, when volumes will become negligible, according to their computer model.

But gas will continue to percolate through it for decades and possibly centuries to come.

"Our estimate is that it will take 26 years for the eruption to drop to a manageable level and for Lusi to turn into a slow bubbling volcano," said team leader Richard Davies, a professor of Earth sciences at Durham University, in northeast England.

Thirteen people were killed after Lusi erupted on May 29 2006.

At its height, the volcano gushed 40 Olympic-sized pools of mud each day, a rate that has now slowed to four per day, Davies said by phone.

Its lake of mud has now smothered 12 villages to a depth of up to 15 metres (nearly 50 feet) and forced around 42,000 people from their homes.

The computer simulation is based on data from two existing commercial gas wells in the same region and on seismic reflection data that gives a picture of Lusi's geological structure.

"In the middle of the lake, or the volcano, is a vent that is 50 metres (164 feet) wide but there are 166 other vents that have popped up over the last four-plus years," said Davies.

"These have popped up in factories, in roads, in people's houses. Some of them have ignited, there have been examples of people being hurt by flames that have been formed due to the ignition."

Lusi's staying power means it will be a long-term but gradually less dramatic menace, he warned.

"You can't return to the area. In fact, ultimately, probably the impact of the volcano will increase," Davies declared.

"I think we've seen the most dramatic destruction. But it's not the end of the story. These vents are still forming."

The area is also slowly subsiding, and by 2037 could have formed a depression 95-475 metres (312-1558 feet) deep.

The Indonesian government blames the eruption on an earthquake that struck days before, about 280 kilometres (174 miles) away from Lusi.

But foreign experts accuse a gas drilling company, Lapindo Brantas, of failing to place a protective casing around a section of its well.

As a result, the well hole was exposed to a "kick" from pressurized water and gas that lie beneath the layer of mud, thus driving the grey, concrete-like fluid to the surface.

The study is released in the London-based Journal of the Geological Society.

AFP

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Papua`s natural resources conservation center to rehabilitate 1,500 hectares of Lorentz

Antara News, Tue, February 22 2011

Related News

Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - The Papua Province Center for Conservation of Natural Resources will rehabilitate about 1,500 hectares of arid land in the Lorentz National Park in Timika, Papua, a local official said here, Tuesday.

"There is land degradation in the area of Lorentz National Park which is quite alarming because of human negligence. So we will immediately rehabilitate," Head of Papua Province Center for Conservation of Natural Resources, Ignn Suteja said.

According to him, the office is still considering the possibility of a violation of the rule of law if the rehabilitation carried out in the conservation area, because the area should not be altered or disturbed based on the regional regulation.

"But we could do the rehabilitation if the plant species is the same as those that already existed. So it will not destroy the habitat and the origin of the plants," Ignn Suteja explained.

Regarding the factors causing land degradation in Lorentz National Park, Ignn Suteja said it is more because of human negligence, such as land clearing and waste dumped carelessly by the climbers.

"We know that many people often climbed the mountain. It is sometimes they did not follow a predetermined path, but found another way. Indeed there are many paths, consequently a lot of garbage had been scattered," he added.

Ignn Suteja said the office lacked officers particularly forest police therefore monitoring and maintenance of the conservation areas had not been maximized in Papua.

Therefore he urged all the relevant parties, especially communities living in the forests to preserve the areas by not hunting or capture rare animals and illegal logging.

"We expect cooperation of the people in not doing things that are forbidden under the law in this country, so that the preservation of Papua wildlife and nature could be fully realized," he hoped.

Editor: Aditia Maruli

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Greenpeace: time for government to back efforts to stop deforestation

Antara News, Wed, February 16 2011

Related News

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Greenpeace Southeast Asia hailed the recent news that the palmoil arm of Sinar Mas, Golden Agri-Resources, would halt the destruction of Indonesia`s forests previously caused by their operations.

"The government must back efforts like those announced today (Feb. 9) by insisting on similar standards across industries operating in forest areas," said Bustar Maitar, head of Greenpeace`s campaign to protect Indonesian forests, recently.

"This could be good news for the forests, endangered species like the orang-utan and for the Indonesian economy," he said as quoted on the Greenpeace Southeast Asia`s official website.

Bustas said protecting Indonesia`s forests was good for business, the environment and future generations of all Indonesians.

"The need for other palm oil producers to clean up their act is now pressing, for business and environmental reasons," he added.

On paper, the new commitments from Golden Agri were a major step towards ending their involvement in deforestation, he stated.

"And if they do make these changes, large areas of forests will be saved. But now they`ve actually got to implement these plans, and we`re watching closely to make sure this happens," he added.

Golden Agri`s announcement has given a huge boost to the Indonesian President`s pledge to protect forests and tackle climate change, according to him.

"And now the Indonesian Government must support this initiative by stopping any more licenses being granted for forest and peatland clearance, and by reviewing activities in areas where licenses have already been handed out," he said.

In recent years, Greenpeace revelations showing the destruction caused by Golden Agri-Resources have led to international corporations such as Unilever and Nestle canceling their contracts with the Indonesian palm oil company. However, the current move could signal the start of a shift throughout the industry, and eventually lead to full forest and peatland protection.

A key commitment by Golden Agri-Resources is a pledge not to clear `High Carbon Storage` forest. Under the company`s new plans, they have set a provisional threshold and will not be developing land which contains over 35 tonnes of carbon per hectare.

Importantly, this provisional figure is in line with figures for low carbon development recommended to the Indonesian Government by their own advisers, according to Greenpeace.

Editor: Priyambodo

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Sarinah to begin exporting cassava

Antara News, Sun, February 13 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - State-owned company PT Sarinah is increasing the number of its trade commodities by purchasing cassava from farmers and exporting it for cattle fodder to China.

PT Sarinah President Director Jimmy M Rifai Gani said here on Sunday that his company was buying cassava from farmers in Central Java`s Cilacap district to meet the need for the commodity from China.

"So far, we have actually planned to export it to South Korea which will re-export the commodity to China. We have not yet met importers in China," he said.

He said that his company would sign a contract agreement with an importer from South Korea. "The first shipment is expected to be carried out in April with a volume of 5,000 tons worth Rp10 billion," he said.

PT Sarinah, he said, will export 5,000 tons of cassava every month to China through an importer in South Korea.

Jimmy said that China had demanded for 13,500 tons of cassava for cattle fodder per month but for the time being his side could only met half of it because his firm had not yet found suppliers at home.

"That is why we are trying to find suppliers in other regions. We will look for ones in Lampung province," he said.

He said that in the long run PT Sarinah will develop cassava farmers in regions so that they would be able to provide supplies for the export needs."This is because most of cassava plantations are cultivated in small scales," he said.

Editor: Aditia Maruli

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Lapindo mud volcano retaining wall section sinks

The Jakarta Post, Thu, 02/10/2011

A 50-meter section of a retaining wall built to stem the flow of mud from the ongoing Lapindo mud volcano disaster in Siring village, Porong district in Sidoarjo, East Java, started to sink on Thursday.

The wall, located behind the nearby mud flow monitoring post, is situated in an area listed as unsuitable for building, said a spokesman of the Sidoarjo Mudflow Management Agency, Akhmad Kusairi, as quoted by Kompas.com.

He said the agency was taking action to prevent further damage to the wall. He said his agency would also work with state railway company PT KAI to ensure the nearby railway would not be affected by the situation.

The damaged wall caused traffic jams on nearby roads.


Related Articles:

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Indonesian Palm Oil Giant Vows to Save Forests

Jakarta Globe, February 09, 2011

A forest cleared to make way for a palm oil plantation in West Kalimantan.
Golden Agri-Resources (GAR) and its subsidiary SMART, part of the Sinar Mas group,
said it would work with Geneva-based consultancy The Forest Trust (TFT) to ensure
its palm oil is sustainably harvested. (Reuters Photo)

Related articles


Indonesia's biggest palm oil producer pledged on Wednesday to follow new standards to protect carbon-rich forests and peatlands, in a move cautiously welcomed by environmentalists including Greenpeace.

The Forest Trust (TFT)
Golden Agri-Resources (GAR) and its subsidiary SMART, part of the Sinar Mas group, said it would work with Geneva-based consultancy The Forest Trust (TFT) to ensure its palm oil is sustainably harvested.

"We will not develop plantations on High Carbon Stock (HCS) forests, High Conservation Value forest areas and peatlands," SMART president director Daud Dharsono told reporters.

He said the partnership with The Forest Trust "aims to ensure that the group has a no deforestation footprint".

Scientists believe the destruction of carbon-storing forests is a lead cause of climate change.Indonesia is the third biggest emitter of the greenhouse gases blamed for global warming, thanks mainly to deforestation across islands such as Sumatra and Borneo, where illegal logging is rife.

Major palm oil buyers including Nestle and Unilever cancelled contracts with SMART in response to a Greenpeace campaign last year highlighting the company's allegedly unsustainable clearing of forests.

TFT executive director Scott Poynton said better management of the palm oil industry was crucial for the environment. Indonesia is the world's biggest palm oil producer.

"Without better stewardship, the phenomenal growth of the palm oil industry could spell disaster for local communities, biodiversity and climate change as palm plantations encroach further and further into forested areas," he said.

But he added: "We all know that this agreement counts for nothing if it's not now implemented".

"We have worked with other companies to clean up their supply chains successfully, and it is our intention to do so again," he said.

Greenpeace Indonesia forest campaigner Bustar Maitar said the group's campaign against GAR would be put on hold to give it a chance to prove that Wednesday's announcement was more than greenwashing.

"On paper, these commitments are really a major step forwards and if GAR implements these changes, it will save large areas of forests," he told AFP. "But we will watch closely to make sure this happens."

Agence France-Presse

Related Article:

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Number of Sumatran Tigers Fast Dwindling in Jambi

Jakarta Globe, February 08, 2011

The Sumatran tiger, Indonesia’s last wild big cat, is on the verge of
extinction in Jambi. (AP Photo)
    

Related articles


Jambi. The population of the critically endangered Sumatran tiger — scientific name Panthera tigris Sumatrae — in Jambi province has continued to dwindle to an alarmingly low number.

Tri Siswo, Jambi Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) spokesman, said on Tuesday that there were only an estimated 40 tigers left in the area.

According to Tri Siswo, poaching and deforestation activities were the biggest threats against the tigers and eventually caused them to prey on humans.

Tri said the population of the tigers in Berbak National Park (TNB), Kerinci Seblat National Park (TNKS) and the southern area of the province continued to decline because of activities by humans.

Meanwhile, the population of Sumatran tigers in Way Kambas National Park (TNWK), which covers 1,300 square kilometers in Lampung province, is also facing the same situation.

According to the latest data issued by TNWK, the number of the tigers in the park has dwindled rapidly.

Sumianto, coordinator of the Sumatran Tiger Rescue and Conservation Foundation (PKHS), said that the current number of tigers found at the park is estimated to be less than 30. In 2,000, there were about 40 tigers.

Antara

Govt to set up anti-illegal logging coordinating board

Antara News, Tue, February 8 2011

Related News

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government plans to set up an illegal logging prevention and eradication coordinating board (BKP3L) to synergize related government institutions in the fight against illegal logging.

illustration (FOTO ANTARA/Ismar Patrizki)
Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan, after a hearing with the House of Representatives` Commission IV to discuss a Bill on Illegal Logging Prevention and Eradication, here, Monday evening (Feb. 7), said the new body would be led by the legal affairs coordinating minister, and the executive chairman will be the forestry minister.

The government in the Bill proposed the setting up of the coordinating board to synergize anti-illegal logging efforts which have so far carried out by the police, attorney general office, the corruption eradication commission (KPK), and a special task force, the minister said.

Local governments would also be involved in the planned coordinating board, he said.

The Parliament had suggested an establishment of a commission on illegal logging, but the government preferred to set up a coordinating board, he said.

The bill would cover not only illegal cutting and theft of trees, but also forest encroachment.

The Bill suggests that those involved in illegal logging activities be sentenced at least three months or 20 years maximally.

Local residents who are used to cut trees illegally should be given light sentences, while companies or those financing the illegal logging activities should be punished four years minimally and 20 years maximally, the minister explained.

Illegal logging activities have come a transnational crime and its modes of operation have been sophisticated, the minister said.

Indonesia`s forests have been degraded due to rampant illegal logging activities, according to the forestry minister.

Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan last year had said the forestry sector would be a net sinker capable of absorbing up to 0.89 giga tons of CO2 by 2020.

Indonesia is one of the first developing nations to have pledged a voluntary CO2 emissions cut by 26 percent by 2020 using funds from its own state budget, and by 41 percent, if developed nations give financial support for the purpose.

Editor: Bambang

Monday, February 7, 2011

Along Sega, Eco Warrior and Tribal Chief, Dies in Borneo

Jakarta Globe, February 07, 2011

Along Sega, one of the last nomadic tribesmen of Borneo who won fame for his battle to save the forests and traditional lifestyle of his Penan people, has died aged in his 70s.

Along Sega, a nomadic tribesmen of Borneo who won
fame for his battle to save the forests and traditional lifestyle
of his Penan people dies at 70. ( AFP Photo/ Bruno
Manser Fund)
Jailed twice for his struggle against the logging companies that devastated ancestral lands in Sarawak on Malaysian Borneo, he was also a mentor to Swiss activist Bruno Manser who brought the outside world's attention to the plight of the Penan.

"When I die, they will continue our struggle because I asked them not to give up," he said in a 2005 interview, according to the Bruno Manser Fund which continues to campaign for the people of the Borneo rainforests.

Along Sega died in hospital in Sarawak last Wednesday, according to the Fund which said the cause of death was unknown, as was his exact age.

"He was really an inspiration to us. He was courageous and was determined to defend the lifestyle of Penans," Harrison Ngau, a lawyer and native rights advocate in Sarawak told AFP Monday.

A leader of one of the last nomadic Penan groups, Along Sega was bitterly disappointed in broken promises by the Sarawak government to create a protected forest reserve which he said had turned out to be "all lies" and "nonsense".

In the 1980s logging companies entered the Penan forest homeland, tearing out the valuable timber and decimating the wildlife, fish and rainforest products like rattan that had long sustained the local people.

The Penan began building roadblocks against the logging companies, filed lawsuits, and lobbied fearlessly to save their traditional territory in a losing battle which continues to this day.

"We want our forest to remain untouched. Because only then we can go hunting," Along Sega said in the 2005 interview.

"When I was young, no one disturbed the animals. The forest was good and we could go hunting close to where we lived," said the tribesman, who sported the traditional Penan fringed haircut, beaded necklaces and loincloth.

"The women could easily catch the fish and get their food. Nowadays, life has become very difficult because of the logging in our area."

Along Sega, a nomadic tribesmen of Borneo who won
fame for his battle to save the forests and traditional lifestyle
of his Penan people dies at 70. ( AFP Photo/ Bruno
Manser Fund)
With much of Sarawak's timber now cut and sold, the Penan face a new threat as the logging firms clear-fell the degraded forest and turn it into palm oil plantations, in what activists say could be the final blow.

The plight of the Penan was made famous in the 1990s by Manser, who waged a crusade to protect their way of life and fend off the loggers, before vanishing in Sarawak in mysterious circumstances in 2000. Many suspect foul play.

The Penan of Sarawak are estimated to number around 10,000, with only about 300-400 thought to still be nomadic. Most settled in villages by the 1970s under the influence of Christian missionaries.

The Bruno Manser Fund said Along Sega himself decided to settle in a village in the early 2000s, mostly because of the depletion of the forests.

Even the settled Penan still retain a deep connection to the jungle, foraging for rattan, medicinal plants, fruits, and sago palm, a starchy staple. Wild game are hunted with finely crafted blowpipes and poison darts.

AFP

Aceh farmers facing big problems with elephants

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 02/07/2011

Herds of elephants have reportedly damaged crops in several areas across Aceh Jaya regency, with the latest incident in the village of Cot Dulang, Jaya District, and oil palm plantations of Blang Mon Lueng village in Sampoiniet district.

Aceh Jaya Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Agency chief T Rusdi said that aside from damaging oil palm plantations, the herds had also destroyed one hectare of rice ready for harvest.

"This is distressing local residents since they do not know how to handle the herd comprising around four elephants, which are a protected species," he said.

Blang Mon Lueng village chief Helmiadi and Sapeukheun Farmer's Association chief Tgk Jamaluddin said the local farmers had become afraid to watch over their crops.

"Previously we were concerned about boars attacking our crops, but now the elephants have turned out to be a much bigger and more terrifying threat," Jamaluddin said, as quoted by tribunnews.com.

"The government should not only protect the animals, but also think about our livelihoods that are currently under threat from this protected species.", Helmiadi said.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Crop Circle at Berbah, Yogyakarta: Stand Back Rod Rice

DiBalikBerita, 3 Feb 2011 (Google Translation)

"Whatever the word LAPAN (National Institute of Aeronautics and Space) or reporters. They say this (crop circles ) man-made, please, that's their right. But for residents, this may not manmade. With this registration form, and time (the construction) that while, at night, no way. When meeting with the police in dukuh, citizens have declared their stance, in our opinion this is not a man-made, "said Suhari, one resident told DiBalikBerita.

(Fig 2.) Sticks on the side showing the "swelling" in
ruasnya and 1 normal stem from outside the CC
The same thing also disclosed Ayu, a resident whose house is about 25 meters from the crop circle(CC), the nearest house with CC. "Saturday night, residents hang out in front of my house, patrolling, came home at 3 am. There was no sign of anything. The next morning (01/23/2011) was found at 7.Keep how to make it? I even suspected journalists. He said, 'This is perhaps the make of people whose homes were closest. " If you can make , I mean these people smart . I am really tired of facing these questions. She thought that people make - make . "He said.

Several other residents also recalled their disappointment against LAPAN and journalists. LAPAN team just arrived on Tuesday, after 2 days in advance, through the media, was "sure" that the CC in Berbah is manmade. They also assume that some reporters already have their own conclusions, which refer to the official source statement (LAPAN) alone, and do not seriously explore the facts on the ground.

"The team of LAPAN coming, enter (tip) umbrella to the axis (center of the circle CC). When the umbrellas go easily, they conclude this because it is definitely man-made hole former stick (man made tool of CC with a stick and rope). Lha, it's rice fields fertile, friable soil, trampled or anything inserted would easily fit. They also say there are human footprints. This trail must exist because it was 2 days and have trampled the visitors, "added Kardi.

In addition, the central point of CC is indeed hollow. According to residents, on the first day was found, there is a visitor came and pulled a handful of rice stalks are still standing in the shaft, so there is a hole there. "I do not know what purpose," said Suhari. In fact, there is still the central point that rice can be shown that there is no hole there.

LAPAN attitude that has taken the decision even before looking into the location it can be "understood". Aviation and aerospace official institutions of any country would do the same when faced with this kind of phenomenon. Therefore, in England, where CC is most prevalent, serious study of CC is only done by private institutions (at least the results are published).

When DiBalikBerita visited the location and managed to get into CC, rice stalks fall down "swelling" in ruasnya and forming an angle of about 45 degrees, but not broken.

Figure 2 sticks on the side showing the "swelling" in ruasnya and 1 normal stem from outside the CC.

It has a similarity with corn stalks in the CC in Southern England (see picture corn stalks in "Scientific Facts about Crop Circle").

Meanwhile, rice stalks outside the CC does not show this - trunk segments straight.When the rice patang demolished with pressed or stepped on, no segment of "swell" or "explode" like that, but just broken.

All of rice straw in the CC there is nothing broken. The proof, which collapsed rods that are now starting to come back to his feet. Link to a video that shows it (02/03/2011).



Wednesday, February 2, 2011

RI to become world`s largest cocoa producer

Antara News, Wed, February 02 2011

A farmer picks cocoa at the Rangkahpawon plantation in Kediri, East Java.
(Antara Photo/Arief Priyono)


Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Having the ability to produce cocoa beans in large quantities, Indonesia is ready to set aside Ivory Coast as the world`s largest producer and exporter.

For the last 20 years Indonesia was the world`s third largest cocoa producer after Ivory Coast and Ghana, contributing export earnings in excess of US $1.4 billion per year.

In the late 1980s cocoa growing began seriously in the regions of Sulawesi island, and considerably lifted the fortune of cocoa-growing communities over the next two decades.

Therefore, West Sulawesi Governor Anwar Adnan Saleh in the provincial city of Mamuju said on Wednesday that he remained optimistic Indonesia would become the world`s largest coca producer and exporter.

In mid 2008, the Indonesian Government announced a large national program for revitalization of the cocoa industry,known as Gernas Pro Kakao.

"Since the announcement of Gernas Pro Kakao program, I remain optimistic that West Sulawesi is able to turn Indonesia into the largest cocoa producing country," Governor Anwar Adnan said in Mamuju.

He said the program was intended to replace up to 70,000 hectares of cocoa, rehabilitate another 140,000 hectares and intensify farming on 300,000 hectares - bringing the total planted area to around 900,000 hectares of productive cocoa.

The West Sulawesi governor said Ivory Coast at present was the world`s largest cocoa producing country while Indonesia is on the third place, but he was optimistic that the latter will be the first in years to come.

Therefore, in his presentation on national cocoa revitalization program at the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas), Governor Anwar asked that the ongoing program since 2008 be continued until 2014.

"The Gernas Pro Kakao program has a target to improve the production and quality of the commodity to exceed Ivory Coast in 2014," the governor said.

He said West Sulawesi provincial government planned to step up cocoa production every year but it was hampered by the limited amount of budget from the central government.

In 2009 West Sulawesi produced 40,000 tons of cocoa but the production declined in 2010 following the reduction of budget from the central government.

According to the West Sulawesi governor, 80 percent of national cocoa production came from eastern Indonesian regions while the rest come from other provinces such as Bali, East Nusa Tenggara, and Aceh.

Vice Minister of Trade Mahendra Siregar also said Indonesia has a great opportunity to be the largest cocoa producer in the world for its ability to produce cocoa beans in large enough quantities.

According to him, cocoa is the third largest contributor to exports in the exports of agricultural products group.

As the number three producer in the world`s largest cocoa after Ivory Coast and Ghana, he said Indonesia should increase its production of the commodity.

He said that besides boosting the production, the quality of Indonesian cocoa should also be improved because commodity had special characteristics that were not owned by another country.

Indonesia has earlier exported about 80 percent of its cocoa beans, but with the imposition of the export tax, exports could be cut for domestic grinders.

The government hopes that in 2011 its exports of cocoa beans would drop from 80 percent to 50 percent.

The government has since April 1, 2010 imposed a 15 percent tax on cacao bean exports in order to boost local processing industry and increase the added value of farmers cacao production.

About 93 percent of Indonesia`s 1.5 million hectares of cocoa plantations are owned by smallholders.

Since the imposition of the regulation last April, several cacao processing companies have also planned to expand as of 2011 so that next year production of processed cacao is projected to rise to 300,000 tons or they would be able to process almost 50 percent of total national cacao bean production.

According to the Indonesian Cocoa Association, the cocoa bean exports from Indonesia`s main growing region of Sulawesi island increased 2.1 percent last year.

The shipments from the world`s third biggest producer of the chocolate ingredient rose to 280,708 metric tons in 2010 from 274,887 metric tons in 2009, according to data from the association.

"Cocoa output in 2010 didn`t increase much because rainy weather disrupted harvests, and shipments were delayed," Indonesian Cocoa Association spokesman Zulhefy Sikumbang has said.

Sulawesi accounts for about 75 percent of total output and overseas sales of the commodity from the Southeast Asian nation.

Therefore the West Sulawesi governor said the province would continue to maintain its cocoa production as national commodity and to develop it to increase the national economic growth.

He said the cocoa plant would be included into 18 categories of superior commodities to step up the national economic growth.

"The central government earlier did not include cocoa into

18 categories of superior seed plants to be nationally developed in an effort to step up national economic growth," Anwar said.

But he added that West Sulawesi provincial government would maintain cocoa and continue to develop it as a mainstay commodity in this country.

The governor said that following the Indonesian government announcement of a large national program for the revitalization of cocoa industry, known as Gernas Pro Kakao, around 25 provinces in 2011 would implement the program.

"We are optimistic that the Gernas Pro Kakao program for all cocoa production areas in Sulawesi island and almost all eastern Indonesian regions will make Indonesia the world`s largest cocoa producing country," Governor Anwar Adnan Saleh said.

Editor: Aditia Maruli