Puncak environmental damage upsets minister<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Environment Sarwono
\nKusumaatmadja yesterday demanded that West Java Governor take
\nstern measures against delinquent developers that are clearly
\ndestroying the environment in the Puncak hill resort.<\/p>\n
Sarwono made his request yesterday after inspecting the
\ncurrent project to expand the safari park, Taman Safari
\nIndonesia, in Cisarua, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
The inspection revealed that developers are building in areas
\nearmarked for the safari park expansion, clearly in an attempt to
\ncash in on the park's increasing popularity as a gateway resort
\nfor people living in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The park's management explained that the construction of
\nbungalows adjacent to it was destroying the surrounding
\nenvironment.<\/p>\n
Sarwono last month won assurances from President Soeharto that
\nno developer is immune from the environmental law, no matter how
\nstrong they are financially or well connected politically.<\/p>\n
The minister had earlier said that the provincial authorities
\nwere often reluctant to punish delinquent developers, who build
\nin areas designated for environmental conservation purposes,
\nbecause many had strong political backing.<\/p>\n
Sarwono said in the case of violations in the Puncak area,
\nwhich is also a crucial catchment site for Jakarta, the West Java
\nauthorities should prosecute the developers on the basis of the
\n1982 law on environmental protection.<\/p>\n
The Cisarua safari park was licensed by the West Java Governor
\nin 1993 to expand its area by another 70.5 hectares to support
\nits function of conserving natural resources in the area.<\/p>\n
But the expansion project has virtually stood still because
\nsome of the areas had been taken over by developers and land
\nspeculators. One real estate company has even completed
\nconstructing bungalows overlooking the safari park.<\/p>\n
The presence of the safari park, inaugurated in 1990, has
\nprompted people to build not only bungalows, but also restaurants
\nand entertainment places adjacent to it to cash in on the
\nattraction's booming business. (emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/puncak-environmental-damage-upsets-minister-1447893297",
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