Waste disposal<\/p>\n
This is a letter of inquiry through your columns to the
\nJakarta Metropolitan City (DKI) on a matter of private interest
\nand public concern.<\/p>\n
I am curious to know what the policy of waste disposal is at
\nthe very bottom end of the chain. Household waste is dumped into
\nthe household tempat sampah (dustbin). On the other side of the
\nfence\/wall, assorted scavengers and waste disposal executives
\nsort through and remove items of interest. These are carried away
\nto be prepared and sold for recycling.<\/p>\n
Fine. So far the system has the approval of the highest
\nauthorities in the land. It is praised for providing employment,
\nand for being eco-friendly.<\/p>\n
At this point the rest is carted away by gerobak or lorry.
\nWhere to?<\/p>\n
At the end of my road, up until six months ago, there used to
\nbe a fine, rare and spacious field, used by the neighborhoods
\naround for inter-district football matches, for communal films,
\nwayang performances and various children's amusements --
\nfunctions necessary for communal health in a crowded urban
\nenvironment. It was the only such space for miles around.<\/p>\n
Was it DKI's policy to cover the area with an enormous rubbish
\ndump? Since only about ten to 15 percent of rubbish can be
\nrecycled is this the official bottom end of the chain -- to rot
\nand burn the rest away in the middle of the city?<\/p>\n
This communal facility has been lost. For twenty-four hours a
\nday the entire field and neighborhood are blanketed in dense,
\nacrid smoke. The health of some of the local children has visibly
\ndeclined. The incidence of rat-related diseases has also risen.
\nAfter heavy rain, the two sides of the dump bordering the Kali
\nKrukut are washed away to block the river and Pluit dam, happily
\nproviding more space for more dumping. Is this why the Executive
\nParadise complex further down the valley is now subject to
\nflooding? What, you may wonder, is this doing to the water table?<\/p>\n
True, the banci (transvestites) and the cockfighting have
\ndisappeared as a result. However, I think we preferred them to
\nthe current situation.<\/p>\n
It is true that no cities have solved the problem of waste
\ndisposal, least of all those in the developed world. However,
\nburning off rubbish on a massive scale as a matter of policy in a
\ncity already suffering increasingly heavy air-pollution, and
\nassociated respiratory problems, seems to be worst of all of the
\nunsatisfactory solutions. Why worry about air-pollution caused by
\ntraffic when much of the problem is caused by burning garbage. As
\nfor the dangers of rotting piles of rubbish, DKI might contact
\nthe Indian health authorities for an update.<\/p>\n
Or perhaps this is not the result of policy. Perhaps this
\nparticular dump is illegal -- some local initiative, or a
\ndeveloper trying to fill the land for construction. Perhaps DKI
\ncould enlighten us. Whatever the reason, considering the damage
\nit is doing, I think the local community deserves an explanation.
\nThey are powerless, it seems, and have suggested that a foreigner
\nmay be able to get more action than they by drawing attention to
\nthe problem.<\/p>\n
And, if it turns out that the authorities know nothing about
\nit, perhaps they could consider doing something about it. It is
\nlocated alongside the Kali Krukut. Gerobak, access, is through Jl
\nB, Jl Haji Naim III just behind the Prapanca Luxury Apartments. A
\nbird's eye view is obtainable from the big new Garden Residences,
\nKemang, or from Indosat from which is surely must be visible.<\/p>\n
TREVEAR PENROSE<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/waste-disposal-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }