Pulau Seribu Jakarta Bay

The name of Pulau Seribu or Thousand Islands has been well known since the Batavia era, and when Indonesia got the independence the beauty of the islands and its water become publicized. The growth of Indonesian economy between 1970s to 1998 have given a great impact on the environment of Pulau Seribu. The need of recreation place a bit far from clumsy mammoth of Jakarta drove the eyes of businessmen o the islands by building various resorts which is ready to indulge the welfare resident of Jakarta city.

An article on Economic and Business Review Indonesia No. 262 April 23, 1997 pg 39-39 as published by UNESCO Jakarta Bay Pilit Project pin pointed the long term losses at the side of society opposed to individual capital on short term objectives. An observation whcih was started in 1901 until 1997 has disclosed that some island have become decreasing in size or simply disappeared with steadily coral reefs deterioriation over the decade. This environmental degradation suspected agent is land based pollution, sedimentation and uncontroled wastes deposition. In 1995 UNESCO with scientists from P3D - LIPI and ITI organized an observation on the coral reefs of Jakrta Bay to review the similar survey conducted 10 years previously. The result of the survey indicated that the condition of coral reefs continued to decline, and some islands were totally disappeared. It is realized that the damage of coral reefs has been caused by factors that are within human control and those can not be controled. Beyond human control factors are the changes of season, global heating and El Nino phenomena are believed to have given a degree of effect to the declining coral reefs of Pulau Seribu. While those factors that controled by human being called anthropogenic perturbations such as wastes disposal management, unsustainable echnique of fish catching such as bombing, blast, cyanide use, coral mining and dredging, degrading of water quality due to industrial pollution and nutriant enrichment. The polution might also contributed by the establishment of various resorts on the islands which invvolve various activities from project to tourists.

Bring together natural factors and antrhopogenic factors that can not be given serious attention can give an idea that between individual short term benefit against long term public losses are frightening. An assetment in term of dollars a blast fishing can yield US% 15.000 per kms square, but in long term the public will loss US$ 86.000 on fishery, US$ 9,000 - US$ 195.000 for coastal protection and US$ 3,000 - 482.000 on toursm. It is easy to understand that when coral reefs are damaged, the water is not interested anymore for tourists especially those travelers have great potential on diving and snorkeling activities who usually spend more money compared to normal leisure visitours. That is also happened on coastal protection will be impossible to keep the variety of equatic animal and plantation with low cost when coral reefs have been damaged. To slow down and giving awareness to the people and government of important in preserving coral reefs, UNESCO and LIPI organized workshop for young generation of fishermen and teachers on Pari island, which brought together fishermen, collectors NGOs, teachers and students.

Quoted from : http://www.jakarta-cityhotels.com/tours/thousand_island/pulau_ayer/index.html

Supported by : JavaTourism, Lintang Buana Tours