TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Forest Campaigner at Greenpeace Indonesia, Iqbal Damanik, supported the study conducted by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) researcher, Erma Yulihastin, regarding the potential of extreme droughts that could ravage Kalimantan Island till 2033.

As reported earlier, Erma released a study by monitoring climate conditions and climatological aspects in the area. According to her, the greatest risk of extreme drought is in East Kalimantan Province, which has been designated as the National Capital of Nusantara or IKN. She emphasized the importance of paying heed to such studies to mitigate the impacts of the looming drought as early as possible.

In response to the study, Iqbal concurred with the findings, stating that most of the forests in Kalimantan had been cleared for coal mining, leading to the destruction of the river basins and watersheds around the area.

“I agree with the results of the study presented by [BRIN researcher Erma Yulihastin]. We have been seeing and studying the traces of deforestation on Kalimantan for a long time. Most of the forests there have been cleared for coal mining,” Iqbal told Tempo on Tuesday, March 19.

The impact of the former mining area is very pronounced, he assessed. “The former coal mines make it difficult for the land to become fertile. While reclamation may be the solution, it may not be straightforward and may take years to restore the land to its original state,” Iqbal added.

He also believed that Kalimantan Island is not suitable to be the new capital city, given the area's natural conditions, which are not conducive for large-scale development. Besides, the construction of buildings in the area could potentially worsen the lives of the animals that have long lived in Kalimantan's forests

Iqbal recommended that the relevant officials should heed the recommendations and findings of studies on the East Kalimantan region, such as the study conducted by Erma Yulihastin and other environmental activists.

ALIF ILHAM FAJRIADI

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