Historical Dieng into potato field

Agus Maryono and Mamock Ng, The Jakarta Post, Banjarnegara, Central Java

Known for its natural beauty, the Dieng Plateau is popular with domestic and foreign tourists. Located in Banjarnegara and Wonosobo regencies in Central Java, the site is also home to ancient temples.

But in the last four years, the Banjarnegara administration running the archeological site has faced a new problem: hundreds of local farmers rushing to the site to transform it into potato plantations. The farmers have ignored all warnings placed around the site, or officials who have tried to prevent them from ruining the historical site.

A Dieng Kulon resident, Achmadi, said he was only following what other residents did.

"I watch that day by day, many people turn the site into plantations. I just follow what they do," said Achmadi, one of the farmers.

He said he knew it was prohibited to turn the site into plantations. "But because many people do it, I think it's ok now, so I just follow," said Achmadi, adding there was now around 100 farmers growing potatoes in the site.

Another resident, Mulyadi, 50, even directly asked the local government to allow farmers to grow plants in the historical site. He found it's much better to transform the "neglected" plot of land to plantations which benefited many people.

"Besides, we don't harm the temples or the statues. Let us grow potatoes to support our lives," Mulyadi said.

Some farmers even went further in their demands, threatening to ruin the temples if the authorities stopped them.

"We also want a comfortable life. When will we, the poor, have the opportunity to enjoy our lives if we don't even own plots of land. This land belongs to the government so it's for the people," said Sukardi, 43, another farmer.

The name of Dieng, according to Dutch historian Dr. JLA. Brandes, came from Di-Hyang. Hyang usually refers to something divine. The name might be given since the site houses temples where religious rituals were performed.

The Dieng archeological site itself covered an area of more than 100 hectares in Sept. 6, 1937. It has several temples in several locations surrounded by two hills called Panggonan and Bukti Perahu. But now, about 50 percent of the area has been converted into potato plantation. In the end, the temples are in ruin and some archeological objects are missing.

Most of the temples in the site, which are located in three main complexes, are named after characters in the Mahabrata epic like Arjuna Temple, Srikandi Temple and Semar Temple.

Surrounding the temples one can also see several statues called Nandi, Durga and Ganesha. Some of the statues are in poor shape due to the lack of care and as the result of looting.

The temples, from its architecture style, are estimated to come from the Cailendra time around the 8th or 9th century. This is based from a script found behind Arjuna temple.

Unfortunately, the Banjarnegara administration seems helpless in dealing with these farmers. They continue growing potatoes although there have been dialogs with the farmers and residents, or placed more warnings at the site.

Banjarnegara Regent Djasri ST recently complained to President Megawati Soekarnoputri about the problem, but has had no response.

One of the local administration's efforts to prevent further damage was, in cooperation with the local preservation of historical and archeological sites office, to set up rent fees for the land used by the farmers. It was hoped that under the system the farmers would not further use the land or get in deep into the historical site. The system failed and the farmers keep on growing potatoes.

According to head of Central Java's preservation of historical and archeological office, Haryadi, the looting violates Law No. 5/1992 article 15 sub-article 1 on prohibition to destroy historical objects.

"If the law is implemented, the farmers might get 10 years in jail or fine of Rp 100 million," he said.