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)