Cipondoh swamp left untapped

TANGERANG: A project to develop Situ Rawa Cipondoh lake in a swamp area into a recreational site has been abandoned for the last two years, an official said on Saturday.

Tangerang administration spokesman Saeful Rachman said the project was started by developer PT Griya Eka Paksi when Tangerang was still part of West Java province.

The municipality was made a part of Banten province in 2002.

"But as of today, it is unclear what the developer has been doing. We have summoned the developer several times to clarify this, but none of the company's representatives have come to the administration office," Saeful told The Jakarta Post.

He added that Mayor Wahidin Halim had decided not to give any permits to developers to make any changes to the swamp until PT Griya Eka Paksi restored it to its original function as a catchment area.

The neglected project had separated the 26-hectare lake into two parts.

Currently, the lake, which is located right opposite the office of Cipondoh administration on Jl. KH Hasyim Ashari, is a popular fishing spot for locals. -- JP