Stop exploiting North Bandung

Stop exploiting North Bandung

From Sinar Pagi

The whole exploitation of the North Bandung area, West Java, should be put to an end, mainly because it will result in the degradation of ecology to a wider area which, in turn, will be hazardous to the ecosystem in Bandung and its surrounding areas.

What is needed now is the political action of the West Java Governor to maintain ecological balance. We call on the Governor to put aside consideration on practical economy and put a greater stress on strategic economy by consistently implementing "sustainable development."

We need to restore the ecological function of North Bandung.

It should be noted that the ecosystem of North Bandung has been continuously undergoing degradation to the present level that 12 percent of the air biology, top soil layer, hydrology and micro-organism has been damaged. The negative impact will be clearly felt in ten year's time when changes of ecosystem balance take place.

It is unwise for the Governor, in present conditions, to act strongly in favor of developers and put aside more strategical areas, for the consideration of the balance of the ecosystem and socio-cultural values. It is highly important to see whether, in this context, there is a collusion between certain officials of the West Java administration, the developer and certain elements who back the projects.

We do not want the Governor to become victim of a handful of greedy people. The sooner the Governor takes appropriate action to save the North Bandung area from the exploitation of irresponsible people the better.

AGUS MIFTACH

Chairman

Indonesia Environmental

Development

Jakarta