THE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT has announced that it will proceed with plans to build the controversial US$22.1M Jatigede dam. Construction will commence in the near future, despite mounting protests.
Rallies by different groups have been held, with one camp supporting the dam, and the other opposing it. The first was spearheaded by the Jatigede Community, while the second was represented by the Alliance of Agricultural Reform and Jatigede People’s Communication Forum (KFKR). The protest by those in favour of the dam has been supported by Jakarta-based non-governmental organisations, including the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi).The dam is expected to impound 800Mm33 of water and irrigate 97,000ha of paddy field, not only in Sumedang regency, but also in the neighbouring regencies of Indramayu, Cirebon and elsewhere.