Jakarta, June 19 -- The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) discovered extensive environmental damage, allegedly caused by illegal mining activities, during an inspection of Citlim Island, Karimun District, Riau Islands.

This damage can potentially disrupt the coastal ecosystem and endanger the sustainability of local marine resources.

The ministry's Director General of Marine Management, Koswara, stated that the inspection team found one company with a valid mining permit (IUP) still conducting sand mining, while two other companies had ceased operations as their IUPs had expired.

"The KKP also found massive damage at the location where the IUP was issued, which could disrupt the coastal ecosystem of Citlim Island, as the m...