TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) in East Java has claimed to have recorded massive and systemic environment destruction in East Java during the 2013 and mid of 2014. As a result of the destruction, at least 3,846 hectares of farmlands failed to yield crops and the disasters had taken the life of 17 people, not to mention hundreds others who were forced to flee.
"There are at least 187 ecological disasters happened in 804 villages that icludes all of regencies/towns in East Java," said East Java Walhi's Chairman of Advocation Division, Muhammad Rosul during the celebration of World Environment Day in their base camp in East Java, on Thursday, June 5.
Walhi also claimed to have found evidence where massive environment exploitation happens in regions such as Tapal Kuda, Madura, Surabaya Raya, Pantura, Malang Raya, and Matraman. Rosul also mentioned the gold mining in Tumpang Pitu as an example of exploitation backed by the Banyuwangi local administration.
The finding revealed the 470-hectare forest that has been destroyed by fire and illegal logging, also 22 cases of river pollution in nine regencies/towns. The 100-hectare of damaged pine forest in Trenggalek, Rosul said, requiring 13 years of reforestation to restore its function.
Rosul urged the government to review the policy on spatial planning to protect and restore strategically ecologically regions.
DIANANTA P. SUMEDI