Golf course project on Bira Island strongly condemned
Golf course project on Bira Island strongly condemned
JAKARTA (JP): The development of a nine hole golf course on
Bira Island, North Jakarta, has been strongly condemned by the
Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi) for completely
disregarding the perilous environmental consequences.
According to a statement released here yesterday, Walhi claims
that the golf course is highly destructive to the natural eco-
system of the islands.
"Their principal sin is in beginning the construction without
conducting an environmental impact analysis (AMDAL)," Arimbi, a
Walhi executive, told The Jakarta Post yesterday.
AMDAL is a mandatory assessment which must be presented by a
developer designed to ensure that any development will not
produce unwanted repercussions to the surrounding environment.
According to Walhi, the construction of the golf course which
began last year was conducted without the required assessment.
Bira Island is one of the 78 islands in North Jakarta which is
part the 108,000 hectare Thousand Island national marine park.
It is privately owned by Benny Sumampouw, who in 1993 began
cutting down the islands forest vegetation to build a 20 hectare
golf course.
The remaining 10 hectares of the island was then used for nine
newly built cottages.
Despite being already completed, as of May 1994 the new golf
course still had not had an environmental impact survey carried
out.
"It is quite clear that even if the AMDAL was now done by the
company it would be redundant since the projected is already
completed."
According to Arimbi one of the most detrimental things being
done to the island aside from the almost complete annihilation of
the islands forestry, is the excavation of sand and gravel from
the sea.
"The excavation would destroy the surrounding coral reef
area," she said adding that it would thus disrupt marine life
which heavily depends on the reef for life support.
Further more Arimbi quickly points out that coral mining is
prohibited in the Thousand Island area as stipulated by the
director general for forestry conservation and natural protection
(PHPA).
Based on these considerations Walhi thus calls for a cessation
of any marketing of the golf course until a full environmental
study has been completed.
They are also calling for the establishment of an audit team
to scrutinize the validity of all permits along with an
inspection of any infringements that may have occurred.(mds)