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