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leading geologist has explained in the media that the government should pay attention and inform villagers of the dangers of building homes on mountain slopes. The government should also consider geological and topographical conditions in the relevant areas.

Indeed the government takes its duties lightly where village conditions are concerned. The inhabitants of villages should be informed regularly that cutting trees in and around a village should be prohibited.

Having traveled extensively in Sumatra, Sulawesi, Kalimantan and throughout Java, it is noticeable that in and around many villages on mountain slopes no trees are visible as these were cut down long ago to be used as cooking fuel besides being used to construct homes.

No reforestation has ever taken place and this is due to the government'€™s lack of education of villagers about this important issue. Geological and topographical conditions and the importance of reforestation are paramount.

The government also fails to inform and teach these villagers about the danger of landslides.

These mountain slopes where no tree is standing are killing zones, especially in the rainy season, and natural disasters are bound to happen.

It is not too late to inform villagers that reforestation is a must and that studying geological and topographical conditions in the area before constructing a home is extremely important. Ignorant villagers cannot be blamed.

Lynna van der Zee-Oehmke
Bogor, West Java