Indonesian Minister of Environment Rahmat Witoelar said Monday that it would take about four years to recover the environmental damage caused by the powerful earthquake and tsunami on Dec. 26 in Aceh and North Sumatra.

Talking to reporters after meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace, Witoelar said that the catastrophe seriously damaged some 30 percent of the Aceh province.

During the meeting with the president, preparation for the relief effort by his ministry was discussed, the minister said.

"I think in about four years it would become better," Witoelar said, referring to the time it takes for the environment to return to normal.

"The damage is very complex, the soil is poisoned from the ruin," the minister said.

Witoelar said that the poor environmental condition could result in some possible epidemic, such as diarrhea, cancer, and respiratory disease.

Many foreign countries and international organizations had pledged their support for the recovery of the environment in the provinces, such as Germany, Japan and the United Nation Environmental Program, he said.

He admitted that the damage of Mangrove in the west coast of the provinces affected the ecosystem.

During the catastrophe, giant waves containing poisoned compound swept parts of the provinces, killing nearly all vegetation.
 
(Xinhua News Agency January 25, 2005)