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)