JAKARTA -- The Indonesian government has begun cracking down on illegal practices by extractive industries, such as mining and production forests, in areas affected by flash floods and landslides in three provinces on the island of Sumatra as it seeks to calm public anger over the disaster.
Natural disasters
Indonesia cracks down on illegal mining and forestry after Sumatra floods
Government cites deforestation, watershed damage as contributors to the disaster
Logs swept away by flash flooding in Batang Toru, North Sumatra, Indonesia on Dec. 2. Environmental group Greenpeace says Batang Toru is among the areas of North Sumatra that has suffered the most environmental damage in recent years. © AP
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