Mamberamo project

Mamberamo project

Irian Jaya has an undeniably high potential for hydroelectric
power. It has 51 rivers with an estimated capacity of 22,121
megawatts or an energy of 135,036.8 kilowatt-hours. None of that
potential has been utilized so far.

With the presence of such potential for hydropower, the power
demand is regrettably very low.

The Jakarta Post wrote on April 8 about the planned Mamberamo
mega project, quoting the Irian Jaya governor on the mobilization
of about 6,000 indigenous people to form a new settlement.

Anthropologist Benny Giay said in Jayapura recently that one
could not possibly move an indigenous group to a new settlement.
Therefore, a further study is needed on the benefits of the
Mamberamo project in order not to harm the local community.

B.J. Habibie said that a mainstay area is an area relied on by
the province to be developed in the shortest possible time with
the lowest possible material and nonmaterial sacrifice (Kompas,
April 24).

According to Vandana Shiva in his book Biodiversity from
Bioimperialism to Biodemocracy, there are two main causes for the
massive destruction of biodiversity. First, the destruction of
habitat in the context of internationally funded mega projects
such as construction of dams and toll roads, and mining
activities in forest areas rich in biodiversity.

Second, the destruction of biodiversity in conservation areas
due to economy and technology pressures to substitute the
diversity with homogeneity in the sectors of forestry,
agriculture and fishery and cattle breeding.

The Green Revolution in agriculture, the White Revolution in
milk production and the Blue Revolution in fishery, are
revolutions where biodiversity is intentionally replaced by
biounity and monocultures.

It is clear that we cannot reject the big project that
requires much of the community land at Mamberamo. Especially as
oil becomes scarcer, hydroelectric power becomes an option
instead of a nuclear power plant.

What needs to be considered is the readiness of the local
population around the project site. Experience has shown that
those who live around mega projects are often unable to do much
except be spectators.

That is Tom Beanal's complaint. "PT Freeport eats the gold,
the Amungme people get the dung." It is not surprising that Tom
Beanal filed a suit against Freeport in the New Orleans court in
the U.S.

I would strongly subscribe to the opinion of Sam Ratulangi
University's Lucky Sondakh who said, "We should not be too hasty
in finishing all our natural potential. Let a substantial part go
to our progeny."

He added that so far, natural potential has been of no
economic significance to local communities. It is not surprising
that the local community wonders in whose interest the
construction of the Mamberamo project is.

DOMINGGUS A. MAMPIOPER

Jayapura, Irian Jaya