By SG WIBISONO
The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI) says the 100,000 tonnes of coal East Kalimantan’s Bunyu Island exports each year to India has led to water shortages on the island. “We could have a drought for the next couple of years,” East Kalimantan WALHI director Izal Wardhana warned in Balikpapan yesterday.
Located near the Indonesia – Philippines maritimre boundary, Bunyu covers 98,32 square kilometers and is home to a population of about 10.000 who rely on water from the island’s 7.000-hectares of protected forest.
Izal is concerned that coal mine companies will encroach into the forest, noting that about half of the island is now given over to coal mining operations. “This is damaging the environment now and will do more so in the future,” he said.
Worried that sea water might contaminate the ground water consumed by local residents, WALHI has called on the Bulungan Regency government to impose a an immediate moratorium on all coal mining on Bunyu.
According to Nusantara Corruption Watch chairman Taufiq Qurrahman, there are currently four coal companies operating under a decree issued by Bulungan Regent Budiman Arifin, who could not be reached for comment.
Source : TEMPO Interactive
