Environmentalists say caution needed in Lampung reclamation

Environmentalists say caution needed in Lampung reclamation

By Dede A. Rizki

BANDARLAMPUNG, South Sumatra (Antara): The area around Teluk
Lampung strait is crowded with trucks, sand-and-brick carriers
and other heavy machinery used for a huge reclamation project.

Whether for the building of hotels, motorboat wharfs,
warehouses or luxury resorts near the shore, the Teluk Lampung
area is a constructor's delight, with environment appearing to be
the least of considerations.

As developers work on construction of the elegant housing
estate Waterfront City, critics claim the reclamation of 500
hectares of beachfront is the most recent and incessant attack on
the strait.

The project that started three years ago is nearing
completion.

Research by the Lampung branch of the Indonesian Environmental
Forum (Walhi) found the reclamation had caused erosion -- silting
up of the strait -- and damage to surrounding mangrove trees, sea
habitat and seawater intrusion into freshwater sources.

"The reclamation has gone 150-200 meters beyond the set
boundaries, even though it is forbidden to erect buildings beyond
the beach borderline limit," said chairman of the Walhi Lampung
board, Dedy Mawardy.

"What is really worrying is the fact the beach is blocked up
with silt from the strait."

Conditions are exacerbated because there are no effective
means available in the area to combat the erosion.

If the situation remains unchanged, it is feared the erosion
will cause greater deterioration of the beach and surroundings.

Harris Hasim, head of the provincial Regional Development
Agency disagreed.

"When the projects are completed, they won't spoil but will
beautify the area, because plans were done with thorough
considerations."

He said people had made negative assumptions about the
project.

"Don't compare our projects to those in Jakarta which consume
thousands of hectares. This is a small thing," he said.

Before land permits are granted, he said, investors were fully
briefed on stated precautions and regulations to bar against
undesirable developments.

The Agency is optimistic about the granting of rights to the
developers upon completion of the project.

Well

"We are sure that upon seeing the results of the project, the
rights complete with stated precautions, will be granted to these
developers," Harris said.

People living near Teluk Lampung and areas around the west and
south of the Teluk Betung strait claim seawater is seeping into
wells and other water sources.

"Before this reclamation project, well waters were clean and
not salty. Now everything has changed for us, particularly during
this dry season," said Solihin, a resident living south of Teluk
Betung.

Research by the environmental study center at the University
of Lampung said seepage of seawater had reached a level of 2.5
meters, and salinity in all the wells was one to four
milliliters.

"The normal salinity level in wells should be zero," said
chairman of the center, Manik.

Fishermen who once had no trouble anchoring their boats near
the shore are complaining they must now go farther off-shore.

To the west of Teluk Betung, fisherman Muslim said that anyone
attempting to anchor near shore faced a hail of abuse from
reclamation workers.

"Now things are so difficult. We are chased away by developers
whenever we want to anchor our boats. The conditions were never
this bad before."

Complaints may increase after the project is completed.

"I don't know what will happen to us once this resort is
finished," Muslim said.

There are other projects at several locations, including
extensions to a hotel and the Pelindo II pier.

Regret

Sources say the reclamation project is also intended for the
storage of used materials, including wood, as investors are
granted rights under a general justification that what is being
built is a housing estate and therefore qualifies as a "public
utility".

Several officials regretted the perceived insensitivity of the
provincial government, the Bandarlampung municipality and the
parties allegedly involved in causing environmental damage.

"It is fortunate that things have not worsened. It would be
good if the government and the municipality think ahead...before
anything happens," said speaker of the provincial council,
Kadarsah Irsa.

He explained that granting of rights lay with the provincial
government.

The allegations of seawater intrusion should be followed by
research and immediate action if necessary, he said.

"Even the granting of rights to the investor, particularly the
Environmental Impact Analysis, or AMDAL, should be preceded by
strict procedures and research, considering all environmental
aspects that will adversely affect society in any way."

He said there was a fundamental flaw to the approach.

"Once a problem arises, we fight and blame each other. The
main factor to focus on is that we should not allow these
investors to run after profit at society's expense."