Environmental Study Unearths 4 Problems with New Capital City
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11 February 2020 18:06 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Strategic Environmental Assessment (KLHS) on the relocation of the capital city to East Kalimantan has been completed. The study was conducted as part of the final master plan being developed by the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas).
"This study is a basis for preparing the national capital. With this study, we ensure that the environment there is maintained, as we are committed to improving it," said Bappenas Deputy for Regional Development, Rudy Soeprihadi Prawiradinata, in a discussion at his office on Tuesday, 11 February 2020.
Previously, the government had decided the locations for the new capital; North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kartanegara in East Kalimantan. The government has targeted the groundbreaking process to begin in 2020.
Rudy stated that the current KLHS discovered four main problems. First, the limited raw water supply. Second, the region and its surroundings are the current habitat and roaming space for several key species, including orangutans, proboscis monkeys, sun bears, dolphins, and dugongs. Third, there are 109 mining holes that require further handling. Lastly, East Kalimantan has a high ecological footprint.
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry Expert Staff in the field of Natural Resource Economics, Laksmi Wijayanti, confirmed Borneo’s many ecological obstacles and limitations being one of the reasons for the KLHS of the new capital.
As a result, the KLHS also produced recommendations in the form of 10 principles to a smart and forest city, and up to 5 road maps for environmental recovery and improvement.
One of the 10 principles recommends the new capital city to have a structured network of green spaces. "To increase the carrying capacity, we need a network of protection rooms and areas with careful treatment," Laksmi said.
FAJAR PEBRIANTO | DIO SUHENDA (Intern Translator)