West Sumatra to implement bylaw on coastal management

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.