Decades of Peak Carrying a Double Burden

There is no comprehensive solution to overcome the double burden in the Puncak area, Bogor Regency, West Java, due to sectoral egos.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Puluhan Tahun Puncak Memikul Beban Ganda

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The atmosphere in one corner of the Puncak area, Bogor Regency, West Java, appeared deserted on Saturday (31/12/2022).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - For decades, the Puncak area in Bogor Regency, West Java has carried a double burden. On one hand, it is a tourism sweetheart, on the other hand, it is under the looming shadow of decreasing environmental capacity and increasing potential natural disasters.

During that time, various regulations from presidential regulations to regional regulations have been issued to address double burdens. However, there has yet to be a comprehensive solution due to sectoral egos or the interests of each region or party.

The double burden of the Puncak area is dissected in the book Issues and Actions in the Puncak Area in an Ecological and Social Perspective published by IPB Press, Friday (23/2/2024). The dynamics of management of the Puncak area from time to time, written by Ernan Rustiadi, Arief Rahman, Siti Wulandari, and Setyardi Pratika Mulya, aims to provide lessons for better management of the Puncak area in the future, as well as other areas in the country.

Senior researcher at the Center for Regional Planning and Development Studies of IPB University, Ernan Rustiadi, stated that Puncak area is the backbone of conservation areas, upstream areas, water catchment areas, wildlife protection, and highland agricultural commodity production, as well as a tourist destination.

Also read: Bogor Regency Residents Live in Disasters

In its development, there are challenges that then become double burdens. These challenges range from encroachment, land conversion, inconsistency of use with policies, overwhelmed land capacity, deterioration of hydrology quality, various disasters, spatial planning, waste, tourism sustainability, and agrarian issues.

"This finding is based on research, mass media coverage, and travels as well as work in Puncak," said Ernan during a virtual book review held by the Center for Regional Planning and Development Studies at IPB University."

PANDU WIYOGA UNTUK KOMPAS

Tea plantation in Puncak Pass, West Java, Sunday (17/6/2018).

Ernan and the team reviewed 21 theses, 13 dissertations, and 21 publications or studies from various universities within and outside the country to complete the book. From the study and field research, the team found a common thread that various regulations from the central to regional level have not been effective in addressing the dual burden peak.

Ernan exemplifies the changes in the Bogor Regency Spatial Planning (RTRW) which led to the conversion of protected forest areas into production forest and plantation areas, while some areas are developed into settlements.

"The protective function decreases due to changes in the area's status. As a result, land cover decreases and agriculture expands to become villas and residences, leading to floods, landslides, and waste," said Ernan.

For example, there was a flash flood on Tuesday (19/1/2021) morning in the Gunung Mas area, Rawa Dulang Village, Cisarua, Bogor District. As a result, residents' houses were damaged, causing hundreds of people to evacuate.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The traffic situation on Puncak Main Road at Tugu, Bogor Regency, West Java, which was crowded with tourists during Eid holidays, on Wednesday (4/5/2022).

The study conducted by the IPB University team revealed that flash floods occurred due to landslides on Mount Anakan Pangrango. Secondary landslides may occur if there is heavy rain. The team then recommends restricting community activities and settlements until the end of the rainy season, as well as daily remote monitoring with technology in landslide-prone areas during the rainy season as a short-term measure.

Meanwhile, there is a recommendation for medium and long-term development in the form of a routine integrated monitoring system in landslide-prone areas, the provision of catchment areas, and an adequate riverbank system to anticipate and accommodate the potential of natural flash floods.

One year later, on Thursday (22/9/2022) morning, heavy intensity rain caused the flow of water in the Cibodas River to overflow and sweep away the riverbank, resulting in the bridge collapsing in Cicadas Village, Babakan Madang District, Bogor Regency.

A 30-meter long and 4-meter wide bridge that connects Kampung Cicadas and Kampung Babakan Madang is not passable for vehicles. Residents must make a detour and use an alternative route through Jalan Puncak Dua Lingkar.

Peak burden remains unchanged. Most of the visitors are frequent tourists. We conducted a collective action to Save Puncak. There was research, community meetings, and village discussions because the results would be pointless if local residents were not involved.

Later last year, a 4.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Sukabumi and Bogor regions on Thursday (14/12/2023) at 06.35. It resulted in 61 damaged houses. This earthquake was part of a swarm of earthquakes that have occurred dozens of times since December 6, 2023 and is expected to potentially occur again in this area.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Street vendors roamed the streets of Puncak district, Bogor Regency, West Java, which appeared deserted on Saturday (31/12/2022).

Citizen empowerment

Not only does the Center for Regional Planning and Development Studies at IPB University push for improvements in regulations and spatial planning, but it also empowers local residents to reduce dual burdens without shutting down one side.

Researcher from the IPB University Center for Regional Planning and Development Studies, Arif Rahman, stated that the Puncak area is still a favorite destination in West Java, even ranking in the top three along with Bandung Raya and Cirebon.

"The peak's burden does not shift. Most visitors are tourists who come repeatedly. We are taking collective action to Save Puncak. There's research, community meetings, and discussions with villages because the results would be meaningless if local residents are not involved," said Arif.

Since 2014, Save Puncak or the Puncak Area Conservation Consortium has been established. The consortium involves non-governmental organizations and local residents. It is a tangible action from the upstream of the Ciliwung River watershed area.

Also read: Peak Area, the Prima Donna at the Edge of Twilight

One of the ongoing activities is by coffee farmers in Cibulao Village, Tugu Utara. This robusta coffee plantation is located in a tea plantation area.

Arif stated that the basic principle applied is to prioritize the safety of the remaining environment while improving the quality of the environment and empowering local residents. It has been proven that Cibulao coffee can increase forest vegetation and household income of farmers.

"Contribution from all parties. Farmers can access forest areas, processing equipment, KUR, public service agencies, reforestation funds, and technical assistance for coffee cultivation, promotion, and marketing," said Arif.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO (RO

Residents went on a vacation to a tea plantation in Puncak, Bogor Regency, West Java, during Eid holiday on Wednesday (4/5/2022).

Real action

The issues presented in "Issues and Actions in the Puncak Area from an Ecological and Social Perspective" serve as a guide for policymakers. Moreover, there are examples of community involvement in facing double burdens without harming any party.

According to Rudy Tambunan, a professor at the Environmental Science School of the University of Indonesia, the burden on the Puncak area has become complex because stakeholders have not implemented government program policies. For instance, Presidential Regulation number 13 of 1963 on the Arrangement of New Developments along the Jakarta-Bogor-Puncak-Cianjur Route, beyond the boundaries of the Jakarta-Raya Special Capital Region, Bogor Second Level Autonomous Region, and Cianjur Second Level Autonomous Region; and Presidential Instruction number 13 of 1976 on the Development of the Jakarta-Bogor-Tangerang-Bekasi Region (Jabotabek).

Furthermore, Presidential Decree No. 48 of 1983 concerning Special Treatment for Spatial Planning and Regulation, as well as Control of Development in the Puncak Tourism Area and the Jakarta-Bogor-Puncak-Cianjur Route outside the Special Capital Region of Jakarta, Bogor Municipality, Depok Administrative City, Cianjur City, and Cibinong City, and Presidential Decree No. 114 of 1999 concerning Spatial Planning in the Bogor-Puncak-Cianjur Area.

Then Presidential Regulation Number 54 of 2008 regarding Spatial Planning of Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi, Puncak, Cianjur; and Presidential Regulation Number 60 of 2020 regarding Urban Spatial Planning of Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi, Puncak, and Cianjur.

"It is important for regional-based development (Jabodetabekpunjur) rather than sectoral. The spatial plan (RTRW) should also be synchronised as it is a metropolitan area," said Rudy.

In the same occasion, the Director for Urban Sustainability Program at Rekam Nusantara Foundation, Een Irawan Putra, added that stakeholder collaboration is needed to break barriers or overcome sectoral egos, such as community empowerment.

"The program must be strong. It requires continuity. It needs an appropriate approach according to the conditions and problems faced by the residents, as well as a person or figure who is capable of pushing the program forward," said Een.

KOMPAS/ERIKA KURNIA

Tourists among the tea gardens in the Gunung Mas area, Cisarua, bordering the Puncak Bogor Main Road, Bogor Regency, West Java, on Thursday (3/3/2022).

The Head of the Regional Development Planning, Research, and Development Agency of Bogor District, Ajat Rochmat Jatnika, agrees with this. So far, there have been two approaches that have been implemented. First, spatial regulation and control since 1963 until 1999.

"We identify problems, make plans, and add a development framework. As a result, there have been many whitelisting of existing building permits (IMB), which has helped control land conversion," said Ajat.

Secondly, since 2000, the structure and spatial patterns have been prioritized through planning after the presidential decision and bureaucratic reform.

"There is currently a slight inconsistency due to differences in authority. For example, there was a change in land use rights (HGU) in the Puncak area from 16 plantations to 4," said Ajat.

This change is not within the authority of the local government. As a result, one of the Ciliwung plantation's land use permits was reduced from 1,000 hectares to half. Some of the land has been converted into residential and agricultural areas.