Mangrove forests in Indonesia [File photo]

Over 70 percent of over 7 million mangrove forests across Indonesia have been damaged, Forestry Minister Zulkipli Hassan said?in Jakarta?Monday.

The minister quoted by Elshinta radio station as saying that most of the forest have been shifted for fish ponds.

The minister also said that weak law enforcement has also contributed on the damage.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono promised to conduct conservation on the forest to keep its sustainability at the archipelago country with over 17,000 islands.