Jatigede dam project faces opposition from locals<\/p>\n
Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Indramayu, West Java<\/p>\n
The central government is supportive of plans to develop a large
\ndam in West Java to alleviate the annual water shortages
\nexperienced by the province, but says protests have hampered the
\nproject.<\/p>\n
Opposition by non-governmental organizations, including
\nenvironmental groups, against the Jatigede reservoir project in
\nSumedang were the main obstacle, said the Minister of
\nResettlements and Regional Infrastructures, Soenarno.<\/p>\n
But he said that the failure to relocate around 5,000 families
\nfrom nearby villages -- as part of the development plan, which
\nwas first initiated in 1986 -- was also slowing things down.<\/p>\n
The government has also faced difficulties in clearing 6,000
\nhectares of land for the dam, which is likely to cost more than
\nRp 600 billion (US$70.5 million).<\/p>\n
Protesters worry that thousands of relocated villagers could
\nface a similar fate to those evicted by the government in the
\ndevelopment of the Kedungombo dam in Boyolali, Central Java.<\/p>\n
Many residents in Boyolali complained that they were not
\nproperly compensated for their land.<\/p>\n
"The government, through the public works ministry, has said
\nthe development of the Jatigede dam will overcome the drought in
\nJava's north coast areas. But individuals and non-governmental
\norganizations have opposed the plan because of the Kedungombo
\ncase.<\/p>\n
"Now everyone suffers from drought. If the problem is not
\naddressed the condition will continue year after year. If people
\nsay that the dam is needed, we will develop it," Soenarno said on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
He said the government had revived the plan five years ago by
\npreparing plans, including the design, budget and time-frame of
\nthe project.<\/p>\n
"But non-governmental organizations, including Walhi (a
\nleading environmental group), and those people that will be
\nforced to relocate, reject the plan. It has serious social and
\nenvironmental implications. We understand this," the minister
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Soenarno said it could take five years and Rp 600 billion to
\nbuild the Jatigede dam, adding that the estimate did not include
\nthe cost of relocating some 5,000 families.<\/p>\n
He asked the West Java government and the Sumedang regent to
\ncontinue their efforts to convince local people that the dam was
\nfor their own benefit.<\/p>\n
"This is an era of regional autonomy, I expect the cooperation
\nof the central government, people and local administration," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Soenarno said that by damming the Cimanuk river some 650
\nmillion cubic meters of water could be stored.<\/p>\n
It is expected to irrigate more than 90,000 hectares of
\nfarmland in Central Java and West Java's north coast areas,
\ncovering the regencies of Indramayu, Cirebon, Majalengka, Subang,
\nKarawang, Sumedang, Brebes and Tegal.<\/p>\n
The minister said the planned dam will also rectify the
\nshortage of clean water during the prolonged dry season and
\ncontrol flooding, as well as operating as a hydro-power plant.<\/p>\n
"However, we will only be able to realize this plan if we join
\nhands in restoring and preserving the environment," he added.<\/p>\n
He said foreign experts would not be needed to help build the
\ndam as Indonesians are experienced in such projects.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jatigede-dam-project-faces-opposition-from-locals-1447893297",
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