Many mosques have been built. Islam is seen as the religion of the occupiers and a challenge to the supremacy of Catholicism. Environment 7 East Timor has suffered extensive deforestation. The region from Venilale to Los Palos in the east is now known as 'dead earth', a deserted, uncultivated plain where former inhabitants are dead and gone and all human activity has ceased. Army-backed companies plunder resources without regard for environmental protection legislation.
Forest fires occur annually in the dry season.
Farmers who used to get rid of dried undergrowth by controlled burning have been forced down to the coastal plains. Much of the burning is now done by troops to prevent guerrillas from using foliage as cover. Without the careful management of former days the torched areas are quickly covered by the noxious, tough and impenetrable high grass Imperata cylindrica . 1 Catholic Church census for 1974, Indonesian census for 1980. 2 Geoffrey Hull, Mai Kolia Tetun, a Course in Tetum-Praca , Australia Catholic Relief and Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, 1993.