Jakarta drowning in Pollution

Jakarta drowning in Pollution

Ongoing damage to the environment has concerned many people,
including students. The Jakarta Post interviewed several students
about what their chief concerns were on the issue. Following this
week's discussion on the environment, the Post will ask for
comments on issues related to education, including student
brawls.

Krishna Pambudi, 18, a student at state high school SMU 73 in
Slipi, West Jakarta. He lives in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta.

"Densely polluted air has become a major problem here as
exhaust and dust float are everywhere. The condition has been
further aggravated by construction in water catchment and green
belt areas.

Look at the trees on the side of the toll road in Kebon Jeruk
near Taman Anggrek Mall. There used to be a huge forest, which
could have served as the city's lungs. Not only are less trees
standing, but some of the remaining trees have begun to wither,
possibly from the noxious fumes of passing trailer trucks."

Andos L. Tobing, 18, also studies at SMU 73 in Slipi, West
Jakarta. Andos lives in Tomang, West Jakarta.

"The heat. That's always the first thing that pops into my
mind when I talk about the environment. The heat persists not
only through midday, but through the night, making me sweat
endlessly.

Dense air pollution is the main cause. Fumes from run-down
public transportation vehicles that shouldn't be on the road
stays in the air here. Although the campaign to curb vehicle
emissions is continuing, vehicle owners don't really care as they
don't want to spend the money (to improve their engines to lower
emissions).

In my opinion, the government should be blamed as it has
failed to provide strong effective policies to deal with
environmental problems. The government has also failed to provide
roadworthy buses."

Beatrik Aestika Rosmary, 16, is a Jakarta-born student at high
school SMU Antonius in Cipinang, East Jakarta. She lives in
Cipinang Muara in East Jakarta.

"Garbage and poor waste management is my main concern about
our environment. Flooding is partly caused by the mounting waste
in the city.

For the first time, my house was inundated with floodwater
during the huge floods in January and February.

But even though the recent flood affected a lot of Jakarta
residents, it seems that many people are still ignorant about
dealing with the garbage problem. They continue to use the canals
and streets as dump sites. Perhaps it is not only their fault.
The pictures on billboards telling people to throw litter in
garbage bins look silly and there aren't enough trash receptacles
in public places.

Besides, the endless amount of construction in the city is
also making our environment worse. I don't know why a park that
belonged to our housing complex had a house built on it."