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