Intro: Must Java Have No Forests?

Indonesia is the third largest emitter of greenhouse gasses in the world, with 80% produced from forest destruction. The harvesting of the countries vast natural resources supports several industries like rubber and timber production, as well rice, coffee and palm-oil plantations. But this increasing attempt at prosperity is coming at a disastrous cost. Jakarta, Java, the capital of this island nation, is under siege by intense rains and flooding that are becoming more catastrophic every year. Each calamity brings with it its own set of challenges: mudslides, crop damage and groundwater contamination, in addition to countless lives and livelihoods lost. In the past 25 years, 40% of Indonesia’s floods occurred on Java. Considering the more than 17,000 archipelagos that make up Indonesia, a single island experiencing such a barrage is more than alarming: it also signals that the high incidence of floods is a direct result of counterproductive land management practices. It appears Java is, literally, drowning in it’s own economic prosperity.

The island is feeling many of the effects of climate change, El Nino, volcanic eruptions, and natural events. What is compounding the flooding problem is high population density. There are 10,000 people per square kilometer of the city, and with this comes the effects of human encroachment on the surrounding environment.

As democracy arrived, Indonesia’s vast richness of forests and other resources led to a proverbial free-for-all resource grab. According to a case study titled “Must Java Have No Forests?” contributing factors to the growing problem of flooding are highlighted, yet the obvious culprit that led to most of these land management issues is the Indonesian government’s past failure to enforce environmental laws for forest clearing that led to severe erosion. With so much of Java’s forests harvested, especially in sensitive basin areas, the land has become unable to absorb large rainfalls. Much of Jakarta's flooding is due to illegal development in catchment areas upstream from the city, as well as the failure of other developers to follow environmental regulations or agreements to install catchment measures. These incidents are wrecking havoc to the area by creating mudslides and increased flooding. The illegal upstream development issue is a symptom of a greater problem: population and economic pressures on Java have been the largest contributor to deforestation.

Which leads to the ultimate conundrum: the burden of preserving natural environments against human needs becomes the perpetuation of poverty. Java must industrialize to support the burgeoning population that can eventually lead to lower birth rates. Yet to do this, natural resources must be exploited to support an economy. An agricultural industry, created by forest clearing, leads to flooding and mudslides decimating the city's infrastructure. It is a catch-22 of environmental proportions.

The purpose of this blog is to examine the connection of forest management and flood prevention in Java. We will also explore specific ideas that are shaping policy and the relationship of the people with the land.

--Amy Hammes