Activists, scholars reject planned tourism project near Bosscha

Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung, West Java

Environmentalists and activists called on the government on Friday to prevent a tourist resort from being constructed on the hilly Lembang area in North Bandung, saying that it would adversely affect Bosscha Observatory and its surrounding area.

Prof. Otto Soemarwoto, a noted environmentalist from the Bandung-based Padjadjaran University, said Bosscha Observatory -- which was erected in Lembang 80 years ago -- was a national asset and must be protected.

Otto said that the planned construction would also damage Bosscha's surrounding environment.

"The construction of the tourist resort will increase pollution and detract from the quality of light in the area," Otto told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar here on the protection of the environment surrounding the observatory.

The planned resort has also concerned astronomers in Bandung.

The story began when the regent of Bandung, Obar Sobarna, issued a license to developer PT Baru Adjak in 2001, allowing the company to build a resort in the vicinity of Bosscha Observatory.

The company planned to build the resort on 75 hectares of land surrounding the observatory, including the construction of hotels, villas and amusement centers.

Otto said that, if the developer insisted on turning the area into a tourist spot, than it should be developed as an ecotourism project.

"Cars and motorcycles would not be allowed to pass by the area, only bicycles and horses... This type of ecotourism has been developed along the Mekong river in Vietnam and in the United Kingdom," Otto said.

Moedji Rahardjo, the head of Bosscha Observatory, previously complained that the construction of a tourist resort, within a radius of one kilometer from the observatory, would sharply reduce the ability of Bosscha's telescopes as the lights of buildings would increase the intensity of artificial light in the night sky.

He acknowledged that some businessmen and local bureaucrats involved in the project had noted this dilemma and had suggested that the officials relocate the observatory.

However, Moedji said that the officials had refused the suggestion.

Local environmental activist Mubiar Purwasasmita said that the planned tourist resort could contribute to floods in the area.

"It will be an environmental disaster for Bandung city if forest in the hilly Lembang area is destroyed to allow for the development of a tourist resort," he said.

In a paper read out in the seminar, the Minister of Environment Nabiel Makarim said that the operation of Bosscha should not be disturbed by commercial projects.

Nabiel proposed that Bosscha, the developer and the regency administration should negotiate in order to find the perfect solution.