Beach reclamation work continues without permits
Beach reclamation work continues without permits
Multa Fidrus, Tangerang
Two private companies are continuing land reclamation work on the
coastline near Dadap village in Kosambi district, Tangerang
regency, even though they lack permits from the regental
administration.
Regency spatial agency officer Didin said on Tuesday that the
reclamation work, which started in 2000, had caused environmental
damage.
"The reclamation work has killed marine life and coral reefs
along the coast," he said. "The two companies, however, still
have not obtained permits from the administration."
PT Koperasi Pasir Putih is reclaiming a five-hectare beach for
an amusement center like Ancol in North Jakarta while PT Parung
Harapan is reclaiming another five hectares for a luxury housing
estate and warehouse complex.
Didin said that both companies had yet to apply for
environmental impact analyses on the projects.
"An environmental impact analysis by the environmental
management agency is the main requirement for obtaining a permit
for reclamation and construction work."
However, he said, the administration was as yet unsure which
office had jurisdiction to issue permits for the reclamation
projects.
"But we could use a regental decree on development plans in
several northern districts, such as Kosambi, Teluk Naga and
Pakuhaji, which gives authority to our office ... The most
important thing is that the companies will have to arrange the
permits soon or we will be forced to take resolute action against
them," he said.
When The Jakarta Post visited the reclamation sites on
Tuesday, several trucks were seen carrying soil to the sites.
However, none of the two companies' executives could be
contacted for confirmation.
Tangerang Regent Ismet Iskandar has ordered his subordinates
to halt the reclamation work.
"I have also summoned directors of the two companies to
clarify why they have not arranged for environmental impact
analyses but have instead insisted on pushing ahead with the
projects," he said.