Report confirms that Cilincing dump is polluting vicinity<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A recent report by the Office of the State Minister of
\nEnvironment confirms areas around Cilincing dump, North Jakarta
\nhave been polluted by liquid waste from the dump.<\/p>\n
An inspection of the area, conducted on Jan. 17 and Jan. 18,
\nfound that five hectares around the dump and nearby fish farms
\nhad been contaminated. Reportedly, thousands of farmed fish had
\nalready died. Other land in the area was also at risk of
\npollution as the liquid waste spread.<\/p>\n
\"This is categorized as water pollution according to Article 1
\nparagraph 12 of Law No. 23\/1997 on the environment,\" stated the
\nreport, which was made available to The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
The report is supported by laboratory tests and a number of
\nphotographs of thousands of dead fish at the farms.<\/p>\n
Earlier, the fish farmers had staged a protest against the
\ncity administration. But Governor Sutiyoso and officials from the
\nCity Sanitation Agency had denied that the dump had caused
\npollution.<\/p>\n
The farmers said that the three-hectare dump, which had opened
\nlast Jan. 5, had ruined their businesses.<\/p>\n
Expecting to reap a big profit next month, from the fry which
\nthey had placed in their farms two months ago, the farmers
\ndemanded compensation for their financial losses.<\/p>\n
Asmawi, who owns a three-hectare farm, claimed that he had
\nsuffered Rp 20 million (US$2,380) in losses due to the impact of
\nthe pollution.<\/p>\n
Deputy minister for environmental impact management, Tanwir
\nYasid Mukawi, said the city administration was responsible for
\nthe pollution, and should therefore, compensate the farmers.<\/p>\n
He said his office was ready to facilitate any talks between
\nthe farmers and administration officials. \"I agree that the
\nfarmers must be compensated,\" he declared.<\/p>\n
Tanwir encouraged the fish farmers to take legal action
\nagainst the administration should no compromise be reached.<\/p>\n
Apart from polluting the water, the dump also has a strong
\nstench which is detectable up to six kilometers away. Many
\npeople, including tenants of the low-cost Cakung apartments --
\nwhich are located three kilometer away from the dump -- have
\nprotested against the foul smell.<\/p>\n
While the now-defunct Bantar Gebang dump used a landfill
\nsystem, environmental damage resulting from Cilincing dump is
\nworse because garbage is piled high on open land without being
\nprocessed.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/report-confirms-that-cilincing-dump-is-polluting-vicinity-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}