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."