Mamberamo project<\/p>\n
Irian Jaya has an undeniably high potential for hydroelectric
\npower. It has 51 rivers with an estimated capacity of 22,121
\nmegawatts or an energy of 135,036.8 kilowatt-hours. None of that
\npotential has been utilized so far.<\/p>\n
With the presence of such potential for hydropower, the power
\ndemand is regrettably very low.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post wrote on April 8 about the planned Mamberamo
\nmega project, quoting the Irian Jaya governor on the mobilization
\nof about 6,000 indigenous people to form a new settlement.<\/p>\n
Anthropologist Benny Giay said in Jayapura recently that one
\ncould not possibly move an indigenous group to a new settlement.
\nTherefore, a further study is needed on the benefits of the
\nMamberamo project in order not to harm the local community.<\/p>\n
B.J. Habibie said that a mainstay area is an area relied on by
\nthe province to be developed in the shortest possible time with
\nthe lowest possible material and nonmaterial sacrifice (Kompas,
\nApril 24).<\/p>\n
According to Vandana Shiva in his book Biodiversity from
\nBioimperialism to Biodemocracy, there are two main causes for the
\nmassive destruction of biodiversity. First, the destruction of
\nhabitat in the context of internationally funded mega projects
\nsuch as construction of dams and toll roads, and mining
\nactivities in forest areas rich in biodiversity.<\/p>\n
Second, the destruction of biodiversity in conservation areas
\ndue to economy and technology pressures to substitute the
\ndiversity with homogeneity in the sectors of forestry,
\nagriculture and fishery and cattle breeding.<\/p>\n
The Green Revolution in agriculture, the White Revolution in
\nmilk production and the Blue Revolution in fishery, are
\nrevolutions where biodiversity is intentionally replaced by
\nbiounity and monocultures.<\/p>\n
It is clear that we cannot reject the big project that
\nrequires much of the community land at Mamberamo. Especially as
\noil becomes scarcer, hydroelectric power becomes an option
\ninstead of a nuclear power plant.<\/p>\n
What needs to be considered is the readiness of the local
\npopulation around the project site. Experience has shown that
\nthose who live around mega projects are often unable to do much
\nexcept be spectators.<\/p>\n
That is Tom Beanal's complaint. \"PT Freeport eats the gold,
\nthe Amungme people get the dung.\" It is not surprising that Tom
\nBeanal filed a suit against Freeport in the New Orleans court in
\nthe U.S.<\/p>\n
I would strongly subscribe to the opinion of Sam Ratulangi
\nUniversity's Lucky Sondakh who said, \"We should not be too hasty
\nin finishing all our natural potential. Let a substantial part go
\nto our progeny.\"<\/p>\n
He added that so far, natural potential has been of no
\neconomic significance to local communities. It is not surprising
\nthat the local community wonders in whose interest the
\nconstruction of the Mamberamo project is.<\/p>\n
DOMINGGUS A. MAMPIOPER<\/p>\n
Jayapura, Irian Jaya<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mamberamo-project-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }