VIVAnews - A group of environmentalists was against the commercialization of Tangkuban Perahu Tourism Park by PT Graha Rani Putra Persada (GRPP).
Shortly, the activists will even press charges against the government in the form of class action for permitting the act.
“Right now, we and some other organizations such as the Sarikat Hijau (Green Union) and the indigenous people are preparing materials for the charges with the help of Bandung Legal Aid Institution,” spokesperson of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) of West Java, Dadang Sudardja said on a phone interview on Sunday, October 4.
According to Sudardja, his group opposes the commercialization because some of the areas that will be managed by PT GRPP, are protected. Furthermore, the company will also build an integrated tourism site including a resort.
“The establishment shouldn’t be permanent because it will damage the environment. The management should be like at the Gede-Pangrango Mountains, which applies eco-tourism concept,” he said.
Besides, Sudardja added, his team worries that the building of the resort at the area will take up water supply for the residents of West Bandung and Subang regency since the park is located in the two regencies.
“We are also asking the provincial government of West Java to assertively refuse the protected area to be managed by GRPP,” Sudardja said.
On its official website, the Forestry Agency of West Java said they never recommended GRPP to administer Tangkuban Perahu Tourism Park. The agency even suspected there was something wrong about the procedure of permit issuance.
“There is a stage that has been skipped out. If they still want to do it, go ahead. But don’t force us to make the same mistake,” the Head of West Java Forestry Agency, Anang Sudarna said.
He also said that according to the Forestry Ministerial Decree No 446/ Kpts-II/1996 on the procedures of Request, Presentation, and Revocation of Natural Tourism Site Undertaking Permit, permission can be granted by the central government after a recommendation is given by the local government.
In this case, the recommendation must be given by the West Java Governor.
In response to the rejection, PT GRPP Director Putra Kaban said he had nothing to worry about because his company would develop the site without causing any damage to its surroundings.
“If we’re not being consistent with the given permit, there would certainly be a warning for the Forestry Ministry,” Kaban said, adding that the resort that is being designed will not be a permanent building.
He went on by saying that the commercialization permit proposal was submitted in 2005 when West Java was still headed by Governor Danny Setiawan.
Kaban argued his company has complied with the rules set by the government. First, there is a Work Plan on Natural Tourism Site at the Tangkuban Perahu Natural Park and Protected Crater Forest Block Utilization from 2008 to 2037.
Besides being signed by Kaban, the work plan, which will be legalized on November 25, 2009, will also be signed by the Director General of Forest Protection and Natural Conservation (PHKA), Darori, and Natural Tourism Site and Environmental Services Utilization Director, Bambang Trihartono.
Second, according to Kaban, there is also the Forest Protection and Natural Conservation Minister Decree No SK 110/IV-SET/2009 on the Legalization of Five Years-Long Work Plan of Natural Tourism Site Undertaking for the period of June 24, 2009 to June 24, 2014 at the Tangkuban Perahu Natural Crater Forest Block and the protected Cikole Forest that was signed by Darori.
Third, there is an approval from the Head of West Java Natural Resources Conservation Center, Tubagus Unu Nitibaskara, on the Annual Work Plan (RKT) of tourism site commercialization at Tangkuban Perahu area.
“I think it’s everybody’s right to seek legal actions. But what we’re doing is legal. If I’m truly harming the environment, I will walk away,” Kaban, who is also a lawyer, said.
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Translated by: Nataya Ermanti
