JAPANESE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS TO JOIN FOREST TRACKING RACE

Gerung, West Lombok, April 10 (ANTARA) - Ten environmental activists from Japan will participate in a forest tracking race to be held in the protected Pusuk forest, West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province, on April 14.

They confirmed their participation two days ago, Syaiful Arif, head of the West Lombok forestry service, said here on Saturday.

Eight of the Japanese had already arrived on Lombok Island, while the two others were still in Bali.

"They are interested in joining the race because they want to personally witness the condition of forests in West Lombok," Arif said.

The forest tracking competition was being organized to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of West Lombok District.

Pusuk forest which is located near the border with North Lombok is known for its high biological diversity.

A number of foreign tourists visiting Senggigi, NTB Province, are also interested in joining the competition.

The race's participants who will include local residents, students and foreigners, will walk inside the forest for five kilometers to reach the Senggigi tourist resort. The walk is estimated to take two hours.

Each participant will be asked to plant one tree during the competition.

Some 2,000 people are expected to join the event, double the organizing committee's target.