Surjadi wants firm action to preserve Seribu Islands
Surjadi wants firm action to preserve Seribu Islands
JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja called for firm
action to preserve the Seribu Islands in the North Jakarta
mayoralty.
He also said yesterday that the public must be involved in
safety measures to secure the islands' environment.
The Governor's call was a response to frequent complaints by
islanders, environmentalists and fishermen for security to be
stepped up in the area.
Surjadi said that as the islands have been closed to mining,
"Security officers should take firm action against anyone who
tries to initiate such activities, without discrimination."
Mining activities have been reported to be rampant given the
need for sand to develop coastal areas in Jakarta and Tangerang.
Surjadi said the disappearance of at least nine islands can be
partially attributed to "uncontrolled sand mining in the past."
Residents of Untung Jawa island, have already said that they
fear the island will sink due to mining activities.
They said that although the city has no longer issued mining
permits, dredgers say they have permits from the Tangerang
regency of West Java.
Environmental damage to the Islands has also been caused by
trawling, the use of dynamite and coastal erosion due to the loss
of mangroves, Surjadi noted.
Meanwhile fishermen have charged that although they have
repeatedly supported operations against trawlers, trawler owners
always seem to get tipped off when not to appear.
As a result illegal trawling remains rampant.
The trawlers have not only ruined their livelihood, the
fishermen said, but coral reefs have also been destroyed.
Surjadi was addressing the commemoration of the 35th
anniversary of the PT Pembangunan Jaya developer, which owns the
Bidadari island.
Part of the anniversary activities was the symbolic
contribution of 5,000 breadfruit plants from the company,
represented by noted developer Ciputra, to the municipality to
support efforts to avoid further damage to the coastline of the
120 Seribu Islands.
Surjadi urged the Association of the Seribu Islands Tourism
company to increase their role, including in preserving the
environment.
A number of islands are owned by individuals and companies.
A few owners have also expressed enthusiasm in supporting sea
patrols, but have yet to meet significant response from the
authorities.
The Governor also called for more studies by experts to help
preserve the local environment. (anr)