Bogor, 6 February 2018. The claim of the Puncak area as a protected area is being put to trial again. Deforestation, spatial planning, and licensing violations in the Puncak area suspected to influence the occurrence of floods and landslides around Bogor-Jakarta.
The Puncak area has experienced massive forest and land damage for decades. FWI analysis showed, between 2000-2016, as much as 5.700 hectares of natural forest were lost in the Puncak area. Leaving 21 percent of the total natural forest in the upstream part of the Ciliwung Watershed (DAS). “Whereas the role of the Puncak Region is very vital for many areas below it. The entire Puncak area is upstream of the four major watersheds, namely Ciliwung, Cisadane, Kali Bekasi, and Citarum. Specifically, the Puncak area is the main water provider for three watersheds, namely Ciliwung, Kali Bekasi, and Citarum. If this area is damaged, we can be sure that the area below will also be affected,” said Anggi Putra Prayoga, FWI Campaigner.
Anggi gave an example of forest clearing and construction of permanent buildings for tourism development that occurred in the forest area in Telaga Warna Natural Park. “To date, there have been more than 10 thousand supports to stop the construction of Telaga Warna and demand the return of the protection function in the Puncak area,” added Anggi.
The RTRW for the 2016-2036 period has been revised to leave a forest area of 29.47% with an area of 1047.53 hectares. From previously, the forest area was 2100.13 hectares or 58.78%. Some 445 hectares of Protected Areas have changed its function to Production Forest, Agriculture and Settlement. Then a change in the designation of Protected Areas for Plantations covering an area of 704 hectares. “Floods and landslides that occurred indicating damage in the watershed. It is caused by the decreasing carrying capacity in the Puncak Area, which made it vulnerable to extreme weather, “said Ernan Rustiadi, Coordinator of the Consortium to Save the Puncak Area.
The remaining forest in the Puncak Area is currently insufficient. The government must seriously review the designation and suitability of the land to increase the carrying capacity of the Puncak Area environment which is shrinking day by day. If not, similar disasters will continue to recur even worse.
Editor’s Note:
1. For 22 years, there is no significant difference in rainfall in the Puncak area. The estimated difference in the rain is 0.17 from the average rainfall of 3,160 mm/year. In that time frame, the Puncak Region experienced 17 times of extreme weather. (P4W-IPB, 2012)
2. Forest Watch Indonesia (FWI) is an independent forest monitoring network consisting of individuals who are committed to realizing an open process of forestry data and information management in Indonesia to ensure fair and sustainable forest resource management. This organization is based in Bogor. Further information is displayed on the website https://fwi.or.id.
3. Save Puncak Area Consortium was jointly initiated by P4W LPPM IPB, Forest Watch Indonesia, Kaoem Telapak, the Ciliwung Community since 2014. This consortium is part of the Save Ciliwung Watershed movement, is an open consortium. It invites government institutions, communities, communities, business entities, academics, media, and other parties to jointly encourage efforts to save the Puncak area as a water catchment area. Departing from concerns about the condition of the summit area, the Consortium, together with the people of North Tugu and Tugu Selatan, has been holding joint actions since 2014. Further information displayed at http://www.savepuncak.org
Save Puncak Consortium Contact Person:
1. Anggi Putra Prayoga, FWI Campaigner, anggiputraprayoga@fwi.or.id / 082298317272
2. Ernan Rustiadi, P4W-IPB Coordinator, ernanr@yahoo.com / 08129471939