Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post 16 Sep 09;
Homebound vacationers seeking to play on white sand or dive among coral reefs off Mutun Beach in Pesawaran regency, Lampung, will have to put their plans on hold.
A reclamation project is now underway along a 5.5-kilometer stretch of the shoreline, effectively closing off the beach to the public.
The beach is renowned for its marine biodiversity. It has traditionally drawn thousands of visitors during vacations, leading to heavy traffic jams in the area.
Local environmental activist Rizani said the reclamation project would damage the ecosystem in the area, killing all the biodiversity.
Private company PT Sarana Agro Industri Indonusa (SAII) is reclaiming the seashore to build a shipyard accessible to vessels of more than 30 gross tons in weight. The company is also dredging out the seabed to allow the big ships in.
“When the shipyard starts up, the seawater and whole marine area here will be contaminated with oil,” Rizani said.
Syamsul Rizal, head of the regional environmental agency, said SAII had already violated regulations by expanding its reclamation project. He said the local administration had allowed the firm to reclaim only 1.1 hectares of coastal area, but SAII had extended this to 5.5 hectares.
