Batam could face water crisis by 2010

Batam could face water crisis by 2010

BATAM, Riau: The industrial island of Batam is expected to face water shortages by 2010, according to a study by the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).

Dedy Zulfriadi, the head of research at Batam's environmental development agency, quoted the ITB study as saying the island would face serious water shortages much sooner than expected unless the local authorities took effective measures to regreen the protected forests and green belts in the region.

"Forest fires, rampant illegal logging and environmental damage have led us to destruction and disaster," he said.

Dedy said the 400-square-kilometer island, with a population of 532,000, relied on four out of five man-made dams for its clean water supplies.

One dam in the Baloi area has dried up, and Dedy called on related agencies to punish those found destroying the nearby forest.--Antara