Deforestation on the slopes of Mt. Arjuna in Pasuruan regency has reached alarming levels and private companies benefiting from its natural resources need to take responsibility, says the Each Java branch of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi). Purnawan Dwikora Negara, a Wahli coordinator in East Java, said that deforestation posed dangers to people living around the forest.Data shows that of the 15,600 hectares of protected forest area, about 3,400 hectares are damaged and categorized as critical, in addition to another 402 hectares that were burned in 2009.“What makes it alarming is the damaged forest has functioned as a water catchment area that supplies springs and underground water reserves,” Purnawan said recently, adding that reforestation efforts by plating trees must be urgently pursued.Private companies, such as bottled water companies, have also benefited from...