Indonesia has so far lost 24 islands because of natural disasters and environmental damage, bringing the total number of islands in the country from 17,504 to17,480. Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Freddy Numberi said on Thursday.
Four islands disappeared when a massive tsunami devastated Aceh province on Dec. 26, 2004, while 20 others in Riau province and in the Seribu island group in Jakarta Bay had also vanished because of unbridled exploitation and environmental damage, Antara news agency quoted the minister as saying.
"Scientists have even predicted that Indonesia could lose at least 2,000 islands by 2030 if the government fails to anticipate it and take preventive measures," the minister said.
The minister said one of the ways to prevent more islands from disappearing was preserving their environments, especially their forests and seas.
Source:Xinhua
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