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)