Walhi doubtful of WOC's potential to address issues
Walhi doubtful of WOC's potential to address issues
Ruslan Sangadji , The Jakarta Post , Palu | Fri, 04/24/2009 12:54 PM | The Archipelago
The Central Sulawesi branch of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment Forum (Walhi) expressed doubt Thursday over whether the upcoming World Ocean Conference (WOC) would be effective in helping resolve complex environmental problems, especially over the marine ecosystem in Sulawesi.
Walhi Central Sulawesi executive director Willianita Selviana said her concerns were based on the fact that the spirit of conservation drummed up by the government had not been properly implemented at the regional level.
She pointed out the high rate of conversion of mangrove forests along coastal areas into other non-forestry purposes, such as the development of industrial estates or residential areas. Such trends are also evident elsewhere in Indonesia, she said.
Willianita added the granting of national sea park status or the regional sea protection aimed at conserving marine resources frequently ended up in confusion in comprehending the problem.
Existing marine resources along coastal areas constitute common property, and the implementation of zoning regulations limits fishermen's freedom to fish.
"Conferences, forums and other types of activity will not solve the whole problem instantly," she said, referring to the WOC to be held in Manado, North Sulawesi, from May 11-15, 2009.
Willianita also questioned whether the conference, which will be attended by high-ranking officials, would be able to solve the complexity of the country's marine ecosystem problems.
She warned the WOC could result in new policies that would be exploitative or went against the interests of indigenous people or opened new opportunities to allow developed nations to further exploit existing resources in Indonesia.
She further said marine ecosystem degradation in several regions had been legitimized by the government through its issuance of permits for large companies to conduct offshore oil explorations, such as in Toili, Banggai regency, Central Sulawesi, where large swaths of coral reefs have been destroyed for reclamation purposes.
The coral reefs off Toili function as an important marine ecosystem needed to sustain the existence of marine life in the area, she said.The destruction of part of any existing ecosystem will negatively impact the organisms living in the area, she added.
Willianita added fishermen depended largely on the ecosystem being healthy to be able to make a living.
Whether it was understood, she said, the causes of the complexity of marine ecosystem problems were due to the policies issued by both the central and regional administrations.
"The government does not have proper knowledge of the environment, and does not side with the interests of the community living along coastal areas, who consist mainly of subsistence fishermen," she added
