Thousands of Cavers Gather to Discuss Karst Sustainability

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The alarming condition of karst in Indonesia has prompted speleologists under Indonesian Caver Society (ICS) to hold meeting in Cibubur starting on October 17 until 19. The meeting was wrapped in the theme of Indonesia Speleo Gathering (ISG) and attended by academicians, researchers, practicians, studenst and public who live around lime stone ecosystem.

Like many karst sources around the globe, the karst area in Indonesia continue to face threat from improper management of lime extraction industry. Karst is mainly constituted by calcium carbonate (CaCo₃) --a.k.a limestone-- that has high economy value and highly desired by portland cement producers.

“Because it is considered as a irreplaceable base material up to date,” said ISG 2014 Coordinator Cahyo Rahmadi in the press release received by Tempo.

According to Cahyo, cement industry had previously centered in China where one third of its land is karst. However, many of the industry have been shut down after accused of being one of the largest contributor to carbon emission and mercury.

“Since then, investment on cement industry had moved to karst area in Indonesia,” said Cahyo.

In Indonesia, Cahyo added, establishment of cement industry have been triggering conflicts with local residents in some areas. The karst area is an important asset for the local farmers since it bear water sources that supply drinking water and irrigation. Karst is able to contain and store rain water then dispense it in the form of spring water.

The world wide karst area is able to absorb averagely 0.11 billion metric ton of CO₂ from the atmosphere per year.

“Karst areas have been one important part in the world carbon cycles,” Cahyo explained.

In the ISG meeting, experts are hopeful to find ways to save karst ecosystem. As the start, participants is planning to create a database of karst potential existing throughout Indonesia.

MAHARDIKA SATRIA HADI