inp.polri.go.id - Manokwari. The Arfak Mountains Regency People's Representative Council (DPRK), West Papua, has asked the local government to immediately take firm action against illegal gold mining activities.

The Chairman of the Arfak Mountains DPRK, Yusak Kwan, when met in Manokwari, Thursday (5/22/2025), said that the local government must stop illegal mining activities as they damage the environment.

"The local government, both the district and provincial, together with the security forces must take a firm stance to regulate illegal mining," said Yusak.

According to him, uncontrolled natural resource exploration activities have resulted in severe environmental damage.

The DPRK will coordinate with the Arfak Mountains Regency Government and the West Papua Provincial Government to immediately take action before there is a widespread negative impact.

Before the regulation, he said, the local government must first educate the community that owns customary rights so that they understand the negative impacts of illegal mining activities.

The local government must also involve traditional leaders, religious leaders, and community leaders to support efforts to regulate various illegal gold mining activities.

"Socialization to the community so that they understand that illegal mining damages the environment and has the potential to cause natural disasters," said Yusak.

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