West Sumatra to implement bylaw on coastal management

Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, The Jakarta Post, Padang

The West Sumatra administration is drafting a bylaw on coastal management, the first of its kind in the country, a government official says.

The bylaw is now being introduced to stakeholders, such as fishermen's groups, environmental groups, journalists and marine tourism operators, said Usman Bulanin who chairs the Minang Bahari Foundation (Sanari), which has been tasked with disseminating information on the draft bylaw to the public. The foundation is gaining input from stakeholders before submitting it to the West Sumatra legislature for approval, said Usman.

"The draft is not yet finalized. We hope those involved in coastal management will provide input before the bylaw is passed," said Usman.

The draft bylaw is being formulated by a team appointed by the West Sumatra Development Planning Board (Bappeda) in support of the Marine Coastal Resources Management Program (MCMRP), in cooperation with the government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The draft bylaw, formulated since 2002, will be submitted to the West Sumatra provincial secretary's legal bureau in December for approval by the legislature in 2006.

A Bappeda official in charge of MCMRP funding, Sigit Padmono, said the purpose of establishing the bylaw was to make optimum use of coastal and marine resources. "West Sumatra's 2,420-kilometer coastline is rich in natural resources. But many coastal communities, who depend on marine products, live below the poverty line. Slum areas are noticeable in these communities," said Sigit.

The bylaw, said Sigit, would act as a legal umbrella for other bylaws on coastal management at municipal and regental level. Of the 19 municipalities and regencies in West Sumatra, seven are located along the west coast of Sumatra. They are Padang and Pariaman municipalities, and the regencies of Padangpariaman, Agam, Pesisirselatan, West Pasaman and Mentawai Islands.

A coral reef and marine researcher from the fishery school at Bung Hatta University, Yempita Effendi, said despite the fact that the draft bylaw had not yet been approved by the House of Representatives, the province still had the authority to establish such a bylaw to manage its coastal areas.

"The bylaw would encourage action against the destruction of coral reefs and mangrove forests and other environmental damage in coastal areas," he said.

In the draft bylaw, destroying coral reefs or mangrove forests through the use of explosives is punishable with up to six months' imprisonment or a Rp 50 million fine.

Violators could also face six months' imprisonment or pay a maximum fine of Rp 25 million for engaging in activities that threaten environmental preservation and the ecosystem in core or conservation zones.