Expert blames landslide on environmental damage<\/p>\n
CILACAP, Central Java (JP): A leading marine expert has blamed
\nthe recent floods and landslides here on environmental
\ndestruction in the forms of erosion, sedimentation and
\ndeforestation in the regency.<\/p>\n
Biologist Rubiyanto Misman, who is also the rector of
\nPurwokerto-based Jendral Soedirman University, said a quick
\nbypass of Citanduy river at Segara Anakan lagoon and mangrove
\nhere could be the short-term solution to the floods.<\/p>\n
\"A river bypass can be made to divert the river flow so that
\nsediments will go straight to the open sea,\" Rubiyanto said
\nduring a cruise on the Baruna Jaya IV research vessel here on
\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
For a long-term solution, people's awareness on the importance
\nof environmental preservation must be raised, including mangrove
\nreforestation and an end to illegal lumber, Rubiyanto said.<\/p>\n
The professor is representing Indonesia in the ecosystem
\nresearch jointly conducted with the Marine Ecosystem Center of
\nBremen University in Germany.<\/p>\n
Landslides in three Cilacap districts last week claimed at
\nleast 33 lives, with material losses estimated at Rp 2 billion.<\/p>\n
Cilacap is the largest regency in Central Java, having 225,000
\nhectares of territory. Situated in the southwestern tip of the
\nprovince the regency is home to some 2 million people.<\/p>\n
It hosts two important places, namely the Segara Anakan
\nestuary and the Nusa Kambangan island which has the last tropical
\nforest in Java.<\/p>\n
Activities in the hinterland have rapidly changed the physical
\nlayout and ecology of Segara Anakan lagoon, which Rubiyanto said
\nhad aggravated the flooding.<\/p>\n
He said in 1903, the lagoon was 6,450 hectares wide but
\ndwindled to 4,290 hectares in 1971 and shrunk to only 1,400
\nhectares in 1994.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian and German marine scientists completed on
\nTuesday their DM 1.5 million research on the marine ecosystem
\nhere, one of three explorations in the country's major sea zones.
\nKnown as PRE-JIGSE project, the series of research were meant to
\nexamine the biochemical fluxes in the Indonesian sea.<\/p>\n
Through a thorough study of the biochemical fluxes, a more
\naccurate prediction of the El Nino weather phenomenon and global
\nclimate changes could be conducted, director general of Sea
\nResearch and Exploration Indroyono Soesilo said. (edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/expert-blames-landslide-on-environmental-damage-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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