The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) on Friday rejected South Sumatra administration’s plan to construct a
273-kilometer railway through the province, saying it will destroy up to 709
hectares of forests.
The railway is expected to help transport coal produced by state miner PT
Bukit Asam, from Tanjungenim to Tanjungcarat, both in South Sumatra, and is
planned to run through Muaraenim, Musi Banyuasin and Banyuasin regencies.
The plan was initiated by PT Adani Sumsel, a subsidiary of PT Adani Global
India, which specializes in coal transportation.
Walhi South Sumatra executive director Anwar Sadat said in Palembang on Friday that along with the
railway construction project, a special port for coal, covering a 107-hectare
area, was also planned.
Anwar said the construction of both the railway and the port would
potentially harm 709.25 hectares of forests and affect other surrounding areas,
some of which are part of the Air Telang protected mangrove forest reserve.
The project could also lead to the exploitation of coal in the province,
since it was expected to help boost coal production from 12 million tons per
year up to 50 million tons per year after the targeted completion of the
project in 2013, he said.
Anwar further said that the production increase was meant to support exports
to countries such as Thailand,
Singapore and Malaysia, but
not local needs.
“Walhi South Sumatra rejects the plan, and urges the government to
immediately carry out efforts to save coal that belongs to South
Sumatra, and at the same time save the forests and the people,”
Anwar said as quoted by Antara.
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