Equitable development vital for Jakarta<\/p>\n
By Rita A. Widiadana<\/p>\n
Otto Soemarwotto, a professor of biology, is widely respected
\nas one of Indonesia's environmental advocates. He has spent most
\nof his life promoting environmental issues in Indonesia and
\nabroad.<\/p>\n
A futurist, his ideas are considered controversial by many
\npeople, government officials in particular. But this has never
\naffected Otto's stance on things he believes in. "A scholar must
\nreveal the truth," Otto insists.<\/p>\n
Born in Purwokerto, Central Java, on Feb. 19, l926, young Otto
\njoined the School of Navigation in Cilacap, Central Jakarta, and
\nserved as a navigator in l944 and l945. He joined the Indonesian
\nstudent troops during the Independence period between l948 and
\n1949.<\/p>\n
In l949, Otto entered the School of Agriculture at Gadjah Mada
\nUniversity in Yogyakarta. He graduated with a cum laude status
\nfive years later. He obtained his doctoral degree in plant
\nphysiology from the University of California in Berkeley, the
\nUnited States in l960. He married a fellow student at Berkeley,
\nIdjah Natadiparadja, a zoologist. The couple had four children,
\nbut their second child died during infancy.<\/p>\n
Otto was appointed professor at Gajah Mada University when he
\nwas only 34 years old. In l972, he was appointed as Director of
\nthe National Biological Agency. He helped found and directed the
\nSoutheast Asia Ministers of Education Organization and Biotrop in
\nBogor, West Java.<\/p>\n
When he moved to Bandung in 1973, he established a Natural
\nResources and Environment Center at the University of Pajajaran
\nin Bandung, West Java, the first of its kind in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Otto has produced abundant scientific reports and papers on
\nenvironmental issues. He also promotes environmental studies.
\nAmong his scientific writings are Alang-Alang Problem in
\nIndonesia and Ecological Aspects of Development. Otto also wrote
\na series of books for high school students. Among those books are
\nProblem of High School Biology Teaching in Indonesia and Jaring-
\nJaring Kehidupan.<\/p>\n
Otto's achievements in advocating environmental issues are
\nrecognized by domestic and international scientific circles.
\nIn l983, Otto received the Bintang Mahaputra, the highest honor,
\nfrom the Indonesian government. In l993, the Wageningen
\nAgriculture University in the Netherlands awarded him a doctoral
\nhonors degree in agriculture and environment.<\/p>\n
He was appointed as a member of Board of Directors of the
\nInternational Institute for Environment and Development in New
\nYork and London from 1971 to 1978 and is currently a member of
\nInternational Commission on Ecology in Switzerland.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post interviewed the professor on Wednesday
\nregarding the looming water crisis expected to hit Jakarta and
\nits surrounding areas in the coming years. Here are excerpts of
\nthat interview.<\/p>\n
Question: The United Nations recently revealed its latest
\nstudy which includes a warning that Jakarta is one of the cities
\nin the world that will suffer a serious water crisis in the years
\nafter 2000. Do you see any truth in the study?<\/p>\n
Answer: Many experts and various environmental agencies have
\nlong seen this possible danger. This is the official study done
\nby a reliable world body and hopefully the government will
\nimmediately take this newest finding into its account.<\/p>\n
Q: Does it mean that the government has never seriously
\nconsidered the previous warnings on the potential threat of water
\ncrisis?<\/p>\n
A: I think the government has already realized the problem, but
\nfor various reasons, no real and comprehensive actions have been
\ntaken to solve it.<\/p>\n
Q: How bad is the water condition in Jakarta?<\/p>\n
A: There are multiple factors which affect the current water
\ncondition in the city. Jakarta's land surface is on the same
\nlevel as the sea during high tide. This topographical condition
\nhas made the city prone to flooding. The erosion of meandering
\nrivers has worsened the situation. The erosion has caused severe
\nsedimentation in the rivers and can easily cause overflowing of
\nthe river water.<\/p>\n
The conditions are also aggravated by human factors, such as
\nthe destruction of the water catchments in the Bogor-Puncak-
\nCianjur areas and the southern part of Jakarta to make way for
\nresidential and industrial sites. The diehard habit of throwing
\nwaste into the rivers has also created pollution problems.<\/p>\n
Population pressure has accelerated sedimentation in the
\ncity's 13 rivers, while encroachment on their basins continues to
\ngo unchecked. This will cause serious flooding like that which
\noccurred last month.<\/p>\n
The widespread flooding that hit Jakarta between Feb. 10 and
\n12 killed at least 22 people, forced thousands of families to
\nflee homes, crippled the city traffic and caused about Rp 90
\nbillion (about US$40 million) in material damage.<\/p>\n
Water problems in most nations arise from inefficient and
\nunsustainable use of supplies. Pressure on the world's water
\nsupply comes from population growth, pollution and the high cost
\nof finding new resources. Development activity is also
\noverwhelming water management.<\/p>\n
This also happens in Jakarta. The need for tap water is so
\nhigh for industrial and household activities, but the state-owned
\nwater agency is not yet able to provide sufficient quality tap
\nwater. This has led to over-exploitation of groundwater by
\nhouseholds and industries.<\/p>\n
The exploitation of groundwater reserves could lead to a drop
\nin water table levels, sea water intrusion and pollution of the
\ngroundwater reserves.<\/p>\n
The groundwater in North Jakarta is now subsiding and will
\ndrop by as much as four meters in the next three decades if the
\ncurrent groundwater exploitation is not properly controlled.<\/p>\n
Some areas around Jl. R.E Martadinata and Penjaringan have
\nsunk by between 70 centimeters and one meter.<\/p>\n
By 2025 the ground level subsidence can be expected to
\nendanger multi-story buildings, roads and bridges in the area.
\nGroundwater exploitation has also caused Jl. Gunung Sahari in
\nCentral Jakarta and the main thoroughfares, Jl. MH Thamrin and
\nJl. Jend. Sudirman, to gradually subside.<\/p>\n
Groundwater use will still be high in 30 years due to
\ncontinuing high demand in the capital city, whereas the capacity
\nof the Ciliwung and Cisadane rivers, which supply water to
\nGreater Jakarta, is limited.<\/p>\n
The Ciliwung river now supplies 10 cubic meters of water per
\nsecond to the greater Jakarta area, while the demand is now 30
\ncubic meters per second. By 2025, the demand for water is
\nprojected to reach 70 cubic meters per second.<\/p>\n
The 1980 census recorded that Greater Jakarta had 16.9 million
\npeople and Jakarta proper 8.2 million. With population growth
\nsteady at 2.4 percent in Jakarta and 4.1 to 6.4 percent in
\nGreater Jakarta, there will be 39 million people living in the
\nareas by 2025.<\/p>\n
You can imagine how much water will be needed.<\/p>\n
What is happening now in Jakarta is that development projects
\nand rapid population growth have gradually reduced the city's
\nwater catchment areas and led to over-exploitation of
\ngroundwater.<\/p>\n
As the condition continues, Jakarta will sink in the next few
\ndecades. During the rainy seasons the city will likely suffer
\nserious flooding which will get worse every year.<\/p>\n
The dry season could also have severe implications on water
\nsupplies in the area. Overuse of groundwater could severely
\ndeplete water resources. Jakarta will face critical water
\nshortages. The severity of the dry season in Indonesia has been
\nless predictable over the last four years.<\/p>\n
The rising temperatures due to global warming on the surface
\nof the Central Pacific have in turn led to declining rainfall
\nduring the dry seasons in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
In each of the last four years, the average rainfall in
\nIndonesia was 62 percent of the normal rate.<\/p>\n
Another serious problem is the city's ongoing project to
\nreclaim 2,700 hectares of the Jakarta Bay. The project may result
\nin more severe ecological problems for the city.<\/p>\n
I think the planners only consider short-term advantages. But,
\nthey should actually think of long-term consequences.<\/p>\n
The reclamation of Jakarta Bay will likely change the wave
\ncurrent in the bay and the waves will erode other beaches.<\/p>\n
The planners should also consider the possible global warming
\nprocess. One of the negative impacts of global warming is the
\nrising of the tidal current.<\/p>\n
The rise of tidal current will also prevent the flow of water
\nfrom the city's rivers. This may result in devastating floods in
\nthe city and its surrounding areas when the reclamation project
\nis completed.<\/p>\n
Experts are not yet able to precisely estimate just how much
\nthe seawater will rise. But, there is a theory saying that for
\neach centimeter of seawater rise, the line of the beach will
\ndecline one meter. When the rise of the seawater level reaches
\nabout 25 cm by 2020, the line of the beaches will decline 25
\nmeters.<\/p>\n
Other negative impacts of global warming could be increased
\nrainfall, strong winds and typhoons, or hurricanes. Jakarta will
\nbe prone to hurricanes.<\/p>\n
These predictable natural phenomenon should be considered when
\nwe plan to reclaim the Jakarta Bay or other beach front areas.
\nDon't think only of short term benefits. We must think of the
\necological disasters that will haunt us in the future.<\/p>\n
Q: Do you think the government has made proper efforts to solve
\nthe water problem in Jakarta?<\/p>\n
A: In search of short-term solutions, I think the government is
\nalready on the right track. The planned construction of canals,
\nthe straightening of the city's rivers and the upgrading of water
\nponds and swamps are the right solution although they are costly.
\nBut, they are only healing the wounds. Such efforts do not solve
\nthe core problems.<\/p>\n
The government's vow to tighten control over the development
\nactivities in the Bogor, Puncak and Cianjur areas, which have
\nbeen designated as the city's water shed, is positive. But,
\nhonestly I feel rather pessimistic because the government has
\nrarely kept its promises. When the floods are over, they forget
\ntheir promises. The situation is hangat-hangat tai ayam, just
\nquick fixes and little more.<\/p>\n
Q: What are your long-term suggestions to save Jakarta from
\nfurther damage?<\/p>\n
A: Jakarta has long been burdened by various development
\nactivities. The burden is so heavy now that the city cannot
\nactually afford to accommodate any development activity.<\/p>\n
The development projects cannot be stopped, but they can be
\nregulated. Stop development activities in Jakarta and spread them
\nto other cities.<\/p>\n
There is an idea to move the capital from Jakarta. However,
\nthis is not a wise solution. It would spawn new environmental
\nproblems in other places.<\/p>\n
I suggest that the government move its ministry offices to the
\nproper places. The Ministry of Forestry, for instance, can be
\nmoved to Kalimantan because it is the center area for forestry.
\nThe government can also move its Ministry of Industry to Batam
\nisland and the Ministry of Mining to Irian Jaya.<\/p>\n
This is my newest idea. People might think it crazy, but they
\nhave to think of the social and economic implications in the
\nfuture.<\/p>\n
Most investors are reluctant to open their businesses outside
\nJakarta because of lack of infrastructure. Various difficulties
\nin obtaining operation licenses from related government offices
\nare also a handicap. Investors must come to Jakarta to apply for
\nthe necessary documents. Therefore, it would be very costly and
\ninefficient for these investors to open their businesses outside
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
It is no wonder that these investors flock to the capital
\nbecause industrial activities are centralized in the city.
\nIndustries need a lot of human resources and therefore create
\nurbanization problems. More and more people are coming to Jakarta
\nfor a better life. As a matter of fact, industries create serious
\npopulation, social and environmental problems.<\/p>\n
Let's say, the Ministry of Industry and related agencies are
\nmoved to Batam Island where industrial activities are encouraged.
\nIt would become unnecessary for investors to go to Jakarta. The
\ninvestors will develop their industries on the island and absorb
\nworkforce from its surrounding areas. Such business activities
\nwill also boost the economies in the affected areas.<\/p>\n
At the same time, industrial activities may also spread to
\nnearby areas in Riau and North Sumatra. If such development
\nactivities were decentralized, people would no longer think of
\ngoing to Jakarta to chase their dreams. This would certainly
\neliminate population and environmental problems in Jakarta
\nbecause the city would lose its attraction as a business center.<\/p>\n
A capital city does not need to become a major business
\ncenter.<\/p>\n
Now, the gap in the development and level of social welfare
\nbetween Jakarta and other cities in Indonesia is still wide
\nbecause of the centralization of industrial activities.<\/p>\n
Q: Many people will think your idea is inefficient because it may
\nbe difficult for the President to communicate with his ministers
\nand staff. What do you think?<\/p>\n
A: We are now living in a hi-tech era. The President is now able
\nto contact his subordinates by using telephones, facsimile
\nmachines, and other modern telecommunication equipment. If he
\nwants to meet his ministers all together at the same moment, he
\ncan hold a teleconference. There is no more excuse for
\ncommunication problems. If the President wants to meet his
\nministers, he may ask them to come to the capital once a month.
\nIt sounds so easy and efficient, doesn't it?<\/p>",
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