TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Java Forum for the Environment (Walhi) denounced the dirt bike racing event held in Ranca Upas of Bandung Regency on Sunday, March 5. The event is recently under the public spotlight after a video of a man swearing at the event and Perhutani (State Forestry Public Company) that permitted the activity made rounds in social media.

The man who claims to be a seller of flowers expressed his anger that the event destroyed the land that has been planted with a rare type of flower plant, Edelweiss Swamp.

“We really regret and strongly condemn the event,” said the Executive Director of West Java Walhi, Meiki W. Paendong, on Wednesday, March 8.

Walhi hoped that it is the last incident and will not recur in the future. The management of the area, Perhutani, is also demanded not to issue any more permits for such motorcycle trail bike activities. “Areas that should be protected are used as a venue for a destructive activity,” Meiki said.

Ranca Upas, according to him, is an essential forest area with its own uniqueness. The vast grassland used to be a wetland in the highlands. Such natural conditions are rare in Indonesia, so local people name it ranca or swamp.

The dirt bike racing event’s area is called Leuweung Tengah which is an animal habitat. Many researchers, Meiki revealed, found several wild creatures in the area such as surili–a protected animal that is a symbol of West Java, the Javan gibbon, the path of leopards, and other habitats such as reptiles and birds.

According to him, the event could surely disturb the animals. The river, which is part of the 30-kilometer track’s route, was also feared to be polluted. Moreover, more than a thousand people joined the event.

In another video circulating on social media, the event’s organizing committee conveyed an apology to the public. They claimed to be aware of the technical errors that occurred during the event which have resulted in losses and pledged to repair the damage at Ranca Upas, Bandung.

ANWAR SISWADI (CONTRIBUTOR)

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