The Indonesian government has promised to take tough action against timber companies in the province of Papua alleged to be breaking the law.
The Jakarta Post newspaper says the government will follow up reports by Greenpeace that several logging companies operating in Papua had violated environmental laws and ravaged its forests.
Greenpeace is demanding that the government investigate three companies -- PT Kayu Lapis Indonesia, PT Wapuga Mutiara Timber and PT Bina Kenit Jaya -- for allegedly buying timber from untraceable sources.
The environmental group also says the companies involved are harvesting wood outside their concessions, and that the wood is been illegally cut.
Under Indonesia's environment law, anyone who pollutes or harms the environment faces a maximum of 15 years imprisonment or a 82,000 US dollar fine.
