Pamulang seeks foreign aid to conserve lake<\/p>\n
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang<\/p>\n
After receiving an award for environmental management from the
\nTangerang regency administration recently, the Committee for the
\nConservation of Situ Tujuh Muara Pamulang (Kompas) is preparing a
\nproposal to obtain foreign aid to finance the rehabilitation of
\nthe lake.<\/p>\n
"We will be asking for donations from Australia, Japan and
\nNorway, which we know are concerned about environmental
\nconservation," Kompas secretary general Joemani said on
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
He explained that the funds would be used to dredge the lake
\nand to clear the banks of illegal buildings while removing water
\nweeds that cover the lake's surface.<\/p>\n
The lake itself would be developed as a water recreation site,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
"If the lake is managed optimally, it will contribute more
\nrevenue to the region and it will open wide opportunity for local
\nresidents to run various businesses," Joemani added.<\/p>\n
Kompas initiated a program to clean the lake from garbage
\ndumped by locals, mobilizing dozens of young people, villagers
\nand district officials to join hands on June 4 and 5.<\/p>\n
The movement was part of the commemoration of World
\nEnvironment Day, that fell on June 5.<\/p>\n
"We want people to be aware of the need to conserve the lake
\nas their water source," Joemani said.<\/p>\n
Pamulang district of Tangerang directly borders with Jakarta,
\nand it has developed into a housing area since the late 1980s.<\/p>\n
Kompas also plans to hold a Tujuh Muara Festival to
\ncommemorate the country's Independence Day on Aug. 17. The
\nfestival will feature various competitions and entertainment,
\nJoemani said.<\/p>\n
However, not all lake conservation programs in the regency are
\nrunning well.<\/p>\n
Councillors fumed over reports that agencies under the
\nregental administration ignored the ongoing reclamation of Situ
\nCilongok in Sukamantri village, Pasar Kemis district.<\/p>\n
Kurtubi Su'ud of the Council's Commission D that oversees
\nenvironmental issues condemned the Environmental Impact
\nManagement Agency, Spatial and Building Layout Agency, Public
\nOrder Agency, and Public Works and Irrigation Agency, who failed
\nto stop the conversion of the lake into a housing complex.<\/p>\n
"We want these agencies to halt the reclamation project, seal
\nthe location and rehabilitate the lake immediately," he said,
\nadding that the councillors would also seek clarifications from
\nthe local administrations.<\/p>\n
"If the developer has the audacity to resume a state asset,
\nwhich has long functioned as the area's water catchment, I
\nsuspect there is something fishy going on between the company and
\nthe officials," he added.<\/p>\n
Last year, another housing developer reclaimed a lake in Dadap
\nvillage, Pamulang.<\/p>\n
The reclamation work also sparked protests from local
\nresidents and environmentalists, but these ultimately fell on
\ndeaf ears.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pamulang-seeks-foreign-aid-to-conserve-lake-1447893297",
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