'Many of us have little access to clean water'<\/p>\n
It goes without saying that development is often at the cost of
\nthe environment, replacing green spaces in big cities with
\nconcrete jungles. In conjunction with World Environment Day on
\nJune 5, The Jakarta Post asked a few residents for their opinion
\nof the city administration's environmental management.<\/p>\n
Gregorius, 30, works for a private firm in Kedoya, West
\nJakarta. He lives close to his office with his wife:<\/p>\n
Let's talk about regreening the city. I have observed that,
\nwhile the administration has planted thousands of trees, it
\ndoesn't care what happens afterward.<\/p>\n
The officials don't really consider whether they plant the
\ntrees in the right locations, or how to maintain them. Many trees
\nsimply die. Those that survive grow to disturb electricity wires
\nor other installations. Some were uprooted during the recent
\nstorms.<\/p>\n
Regreening is actually a good policy, despite its high cost.
\nBut, unfortunately, it has not delivered good results.<\/p>\n
I also want to encourage the Jakarta administration to impose
\na regulation that requires all vehicles to conform to the
\nemission standard. The policy would significantly reduce air
\npollution.<\/p>\n
Learning from the successful three-in-one and seat belt
\npolicies, strict law enforcement is effective to force motorists
\nto comply with traffic regulations.<\/p>\n
Maya Hastuti, 30, is a journalist with a newspaper in Cikini,
\nCentral Jakarta. She lives in Jatiwaringin, Bekasi.<\/p>\n
Both Bekasi and Jakarta administrations have paid little
\nattention to environmental issues. Environmental problems remain
\nunresolved and are, perhaps, getting worse.<\/p>\n
Administrations prefer to use most of their budgets for
\nconstruction projects, leaving only meager funds for
\nenvironmental management.<\/p>\n
In my home, the high level of pollution has made the water too
\nmurky either for drinking or washing clothes. I have to buy
\ngallons of water every week. So far, the administration has done
\nnothing to fix that very simple problem. I think many residents
\nhave very limited access to clean water.<\/p>\n
--The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/many-of-us-have-little-access-to-clean-water-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }