Seribu Islands and tourism plan

Seribu Islands and tourism plan

From Media Indonesia

The plan to make 45 of the 105 islands in the Seribu Islands chain north of Jakarta into a tourist area came as a shock to the island communities. The plan emerged following a panel discussion, without the participation and support of the local communities.

Attention must paid to natural and human resources as well as environmental problems when it comes to tourism. In this context the Communications Forum of Social and AIDS Problems (Fokusmas AIDS) would like to contribute their opinions regarding the plan.

* The four villages in the Seribu Islands district should be given due attention in developing the area.

* The local community should be involved in the whole process: planning, operation, development and evaluation activities.

* Manpower recruitment should as far as possible include the local community.

* The local people should be included in the training program either in terms of formal training in tourism and marine science or through short courses.

* We all are responsible for preservation of the environment. The marine life must be protected from the destructive industrial waste coming from the Jakarta area. The use of explosives for fishing is detrimental to marine life and sanctions must be imposed on those found guilty of violating regulations.

NYOMAN SUARTANU

Head of Fokusmas AIDS

Jakarta