Environment Minister: Sea Walls are Futile Without Changes in Land-Based Behaviour

Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat has stated that the construction of giant sea walls to prevent erosion and damage from waves on the northern coast of Java will be in vain if not balanced with changes in behaviour within inland areas.

“If there is no change in behaviour, for example, failing to manage groundwater, then the sea walls themselves will end up sinking along with the land,” said Minister Jumert Hidayat during a public lecture at Sultan Agung University in Semarang, Central Java, on Tuesday.

He explained that while giant sea walls are important, they are not the sole solution to addressing the threats of erosion and wave-induced damage. In the near future, a Ministerial Regulation on the Environment will be issued to regulate groundwater replenishment. “The regulation will cover how groundwater extraction is managed and how water taken from the ground is returned to the earth,” Hidayat added.

Furthermore, the Minister noted that the performance of sea walls must be combined with the presence of mangrove forests. “Mangroves can work beyond the capabilities of concrete. Additionally, they provide habitats for fish,” he said.

He also stressed that such adaptive policies must not become maladaptive measures that impoverish local communities. “Ensure that these policies are supported by thorough studies. Furthermore, social acceptance is an absolute requirement,” concluded the Environment Minister.