Bogor residents brace for floods, landslides

Bogor residents brace for floods, landslides

BOGOR (JP): Bogor residents are facing an increased threat of
floods and landslides during the rainy season as a result of the
continued destruction of the rain forest along the upper reaches
of Ciliwung River.

The presence of some 4,000 people living in illegal
settlements along the banks of the river also have contributed to
an increase in the amount of sediment being deposited in the
river, causing the river to be more prone to flooding, a 1997
official report noted.

Approximately 15,000 plots of land belonging to state forestry
company Perum Perhutani in Bogor have been stripped by locals
over the past few years, either to clear the land for plantations
or to construct villas and cottages.

Data from Gunung Gede-Pangrango National Park shows at least
330 hectares of rain forest around Bogor, Puncak, Cianjur and the
Bogor-Sukabumi border were razed earlier this year.

"All of this environmental destruction has increased the speed
of the water flowing from the upper stream of Ciliwung River here
to the bay of Jakarta to only six hours," a Bogor administration
official said.

"Such a rapid flow of water will cause floods and landslides
on shaky, unstable ground," the official said.

The Bogor administration is now home to 20 flood-prone
locations spread across six districts.

Among the areas most vulnerable to flooding are Katulampa
village and Sukasari and Babakan subdistricts in East Bogor, the
areas around Sempur, Pasar Pabton and Bantar Jati subdistricts,
and the villages of Cibuluh, Kedunghalang, Muara Sari and Pakuan.

While landslide-prone locations are the Delim Jaya housing
complex, Kampung Nusa and Pledang subdistrict in Central Bogor.

Some residents living in these danger areas, however, are
reluctant to move.

"This is our birthplace ... we grew up and started our
families here," Endah, a resident of Kampung Lebak Jawa in Kebon
Pedes village, said.

But many residents were searching for safer areas to live.

"We're afraid to stay on the side of the river, especially
during the rainy season. We can see the ground being eroded by
the strong river current," Encep, a resident of Sukasari
subdistrict, said.

Local officials repeatedly have warned residents of the danger
of living along the river banks.

"But we don't have the money to move from here. It's even hard
for us to afford proper meals," Encep said. (21/edt)