Locals' behavior damages N. Jakarta mangrove forest

Locals' behavior damages N. Jakarta mangrove forest

JAKARTA (JP): The mangrove forests in Muara Angke, North
Jakarta, are being seriously threatened by the continual
uncontrolled dumping of domestic waste by local residents.

The extent of rubbish accumulation is apparent, and locals can
be seen obliviously discarding their rubbish into the mangrove
forest.

While on a trip with environment officials in the area on
Saturday, The Jakarta Post saw a woman throw a large amount of
household rubbish out the back of her boathouse into the waters
of the mangrove forest.

Asked to comment on the scene, the head of the Jakarta Natural
Resources Conservation (KSDA) organization, Herry Djoko Susilo,
said it is up to the will and effort of locals to protect the
forest from further damage.

So far, no data has been gathered about the quantity of
rubbish dumped into the river.

Piles of waste can be seen floating along the Muara Angke
coastline, filling the air in the area with a putrid odor.

KSDA employee Supriyanto said there has never been a regular
cleaning program for the 25-hectare mangrove forest.

Previously, the ministry declared that the efforts of humans
had damaged over 40 percent of the mangrove forest.

Nike Inc., the giant shoe manufacturer, and its local partners
here initiated the first clean-up program for the area on
Saturday to mark Earth Day, which fell on April 22.

Herry questioned cynically why this activity was only done in
commemoration of this date. However, he did not say what his
office had done to preserve the mangrove forest environment.
(ind)