Activists, scholars reject planned tourism project near Bosscha<\/p>\n
Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung, West Java<\/p>\n
Environmentalists and activists called on the government on
\nFriday to prevent a tourist resort from being constructed on the
\nhilly Lembang area in North Bandung, saying that it would
\nadversely affect Bosscha Observatory and its surrounding area.<\/p>\n
Prof. Otto Soemarwoto, a noted environmentalist from the
\nBandung-based Padjadjaran University, said Bosscha Observatory --
\nwhich was erected in Lembang 80 years ago -- was a national asset
\nand must be protected.<\/p>\n
Otto said that the planned construction would also damage
\nBosscha's surrounding environment.<\/p>\n
\"The construction of the tourist resort will increase
\npollution and detract from the quality of light in the area,\"
\nOtto told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar here on the
\nprotection of the environment surrounding the observatory.<\/p>\n
The planned resort has also concerned astronomers in Bandung.<\/p>\n
The story began when the regent of Bandung, Obar Sobarna,
\nissued a license to developer PT Baru Adjak in 2001, allowing the
\ncompany to build a resort in the vicinity of Bosscha Observatory.<\/p>\n
The company planned to build the resort on 75 hectares of land
\nsurrounding the observatory, including the construction of
\nhotels, villas and amusement centers.<\/p>\n
Otto said that, if the developer insisted on turning the area
\ninto a tourist spot, than it should be developed as an ecotourism
\nproject.<\/p>\n
\"Cars and motorcycles would not be allowed to pass by the
\narea, only bicycles and horses... This type of ecotourism has
\nbeen developed along the Mekong river in Vietnam and in the
\nUnited Kingdom,\" Otto said.<\/p>\n
Moedji Rahardjo, the head of Bosscha Observatory, previously
\ncomplained that the construction of a tourist resort, within a
\nradius of one kilometer from the observatory, would sharply
\nreduce the ability of Bosscha's telescopes as the lights of
\nbuildings would increase the intensity of artificial light in
\nthe night sky.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged that some businessmen and local bureaucrats
\ninvolved in the project had noted this dilemma and had suggested
\nthat the officials relocate the observatory.<\/p>\n
However, Moedji said that the officials had refused the
\nsuggestion.<\/p>\n
Local environmental activist Mubiar Purwasasmita said that the
\nplanned tourist resort could contribute to floods in the area.<\/p>\n
\"It will be an environmental disaster for Bandung city if
\nforest in the hilly Lembang area is destroyed to allow for the
\ndevelopment of a tourist resort,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In a paper read out in the seminar, the Minister of
\nEnvironment Nabiel Makarim said that the operation of Bosscha
\nshould not be disturbed by commercial projects.<\/p>\n
Nabiel proposed that Bosscha, the developer and the regency
\nadministration should negotiate in order to find the perfect
\nsolution.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/activists-scholars-reject-planned-tourism-project-near-bosscha-1447893297",
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