Local up in arms over lake reclamation project

Local up in arms over lake reclamation project

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post/Tangerang

Residents of two housing complexes in Pondok Benda, Pamulang
district, here, have expressed their opposition to the
reclamation of Tujuh Muara lake, which is located near the
complexes, for fear of floods and drought.

"When we bought our homes here several years ago, the lake
served as a catchment. If it is reclaimed, we are afraid it will
cause flooding in the rainy season and drought in the dry
season," a resident of Vila Pamulang housing complex, Ramdany,
said recently.

"We have delivered our complaint to the developer, but
received no response," he added.

Residents of the adjacent Reni Jaya housing complex expressed
similar fears.

"I think our concern is reasonable. With the lake as it is,
our houses are always flooded during the rainy season. If it is
reclaimed, where will the water go?" said Achmadi, a resident of
Reni Jaya.

The developer of Vila Pamulang has reclaimed almost half of
the around 700-square-meter lake and started to build 10 new
houses on the reclaimed area.

Concerned over the development, the residents staged a protest
on Monday and Tuesday, demanding the construction be halted. They
also asked Pamulang district officials to intervene.

Pamulang district chief Ashadi expressed worries over the
reclamation project.

"As far as I know, the developer did not report its
(reclamation) activities to my office. Neither did it seek to
determine the status of the lake," he said.

"I will summon the developer for clarification. If they can't
show us a permit for reclamation from the regental
administration, we will take stern measures against them,"he
added.

Tangerang Spatial and Building Layout Agency head Sahirul
Fahmi Lubis confirmed the company had not applied for a permit.
"We have not issued a permit related to the reclamation of Tujuh
Muara lake in Pamulang,"he said.

Staff members of the developer's marketing office at the
housing complex were not willing to comment on the reclamation
project.