Big budget needed to upgrade Bogor lakes

JAKARTA (JP): A large amount of money is needed to upgrade 120 manmade lakes in Bogor, according to regency spokesman Denny M. Moechry, but the Bogor regency has no authority to upgrade them because they fall under the West Java provincial administration's authority.

"Even if it was the regency's jurisdiction it could not afford it.

"It would cost hundreds of millions of rupiah to renovate just Cikaret Lake and it would take three years to get the budget," Denny said.

Upgrading the lakes would supposedly reduce the annual floods in Jakarta.

"I believe the shrinking of the lakes is the main cause of flooding," he said.

When the lakes functioned as water catchments there were no floods in Jakarta during the wet season and there was enough water in the dry season, he added.

A. Sjarifuddin Karama, the head of the Center of Soil and Agroclimate Research, was of the same opinion. He said the Dutch colonial authorities built 221 lakes in Cisarua, Ciawi, Bogor, Depok and Jakarta in the late 19th century, following a disastrous flood.

After that there were no floods for a long time, he said.

Upgrading the lakes could not be done at the same time and should be carried out according to priority.

"Lakes which are located in densely populated areas should get first priority," Denny said.

The Bogor regency does upgrade some lakes, but many are upgraded by private companies, such as the Lido, Lebak Wangi and Jejed lakes.

"Businesspeople are interested in doing it because they can sell the sand and soil, and turn the areas into tourist spots," Denny said.

The regency has prepared Rp 100 million (US$41,442) for dredging and maintaining the lakes. (13)