A Paradise Has Been Lost in Tomori Bay.

Colorful coral reefs and many species of fish living in waters of Tomori Bay make it like a piece of paradise in the middle of the island of Sulawesi. However the beauty landscape that area is now torn by a sediments from nickel mining activity in the vicinity. Sea water which was originally clear now murky and 500 meters from the beach. Not only the surface of the polluted bay mud. Sediment is also damaging the living coral reef in the bay bottom in Central Sulawesi province.

Jabar Lahadji is a witness to the damage Tomori Bay. Using snorkeling gear, men's 42-year-often swim in Tomori Bay, Central Sulawesi. "Coral reefs are broken ground covered with sediment," said a member of the Morowali Regional Representatives Council to TEMPO on May 9, 2012. Raised in the village of Kolonodale, the only village on the shores of the bay, he knew exactly every corner of this area. Every times the dive in bay, he could witnessed the coral reefs. In this place, a variety of fish species living together.

The beauty of the waters of the Tomori Bay's what makes non-governmental organizations in the district of Poso be suggested that Tomori Bay as a marine park. In 1989, the proposal has been greeted positively by the local government. Governor of Central Sulawesi at the time, Abdul Aziz Lamadjido, issued a decision in favor of the realization of the marine park.

Proposed also delivered to Directorate General of Protection of Forest and Natural Conservation, Ministry of of Forestry the Republic of Indonesia a few years later. Unfortunately, no follow-up plan, because in 1999 in Poso district bloomed into Morowali district. Now the area that was once nominated as a marine park that has lost her beauty, because of tainted mud that line the murky sea.

Traces of the beauty of Tomori Bay still visible when TEMPO was flying over the waters by helicopter Dauphin N2 SN-365 last week. The bay is surrounded by many of the headland to the shoreline winding. In some sections, lush green forests are still growing. Besar Island is part of Morowali Nature Reserve seem to float in the middle of the bay.

Tomori bay where the waters are now closed as far as 750 meters of sediment. (Picture from: KORAN TEMPO 3883)

But the sight of the green forest hills gave way to barren lands in the two main headlands, namely Kolokima and Bangkele. Large-scale dredging by mining companies reveal dozens of red soil that once covered by forest and soil humus.

Avalanche of red earth and the rain brought the mine was dug into the river flow to the beach. At the mouth of the river, located near Kolokima Cape, water mixed with red earth pushed up to 500 meters into the bay.

Director of Engineering and the Environment Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia Syawaluddin Lubis said the damage to the bay triggered by mining procedures are not implemented properly. Mining companies should be obliged to leave the forest buffer zone between coastal ecosystems and mining areas. Area known as the green belt is not in the mining sites around Tomori Bay.

Mining companies were prohibited from disposing of sediment into rivers and beaches. To prevent sediment discharged into the river, mining companies have to make the pond sediment settles glide function terraced sediments before reaching the river and the beach.

"The practice of environmental protection can not be done by mining companies around Tomori Bay," said Syawaluddin. "It is against the law and into criminal acts."

Environmental damage not only ruin the beauty of Tomori Bay and coral reef ecosystems, but also have an impact on the economy. Residents of the five fishing villages around the coast are now losing the fish is the source of their livelihood.

Boto-Boto Fish who become the hallmark of Tomori Bay are now difficult to was found. Fishermen trouble getting the fish. "We pull the net, they get a lot more red soil than fish," Jabar said. Not only the fish-Boto Boto are scarce. Fish cultured in cages in a fishing village, adjacent to the mine site, many have died.

Green forest replaced by hills of 
barren land in Kolokima Cape
and Bangkele. (Picture from: KORAN 
TEMPO 3883)

Loss of livelihood of the people ultimately disturb peace in Tomori Bay. Fishing villagers often protested to the miners that damage the bay. Until now, these aspirations can be muted with the cash compensation of Rp. 5.000 per metric ton the soil who excavated from the forests on Tomori Bay. "But a huge protest could explode at any-of time because compensation ins such as the pain pills, which the effect is only temporary," said Jabar.

Morowali Regent, Anwar Hafid acknowledges mining activities damage Tomori Bay and had become a major issue in the region. "If it rains, the sea became a little red," he said when asked for confirmation on Monday.

The environmental impact who visible when this, according to him, already better instead of several months ago. Mining companies are not penalized, but are required to control sediment to the coast.

Public protest was silenced by financial compensation from the mining entrepreneur, but not all can be done with a pile of money. Local tourists who used to enliven Jompi beach, located near the mining area, now do not ever come again. In fact, several years ago, the area is a bathing place that many people visited Sulawesi.

Other tourist sites affected are several caves in the forest around the coast. Batu Putih Caves and Lambolo Caves, who once crowded by visitors, is now lost interest. These cave still keeps the 3,000 years old hand paintings, but the convenience of visitors has been disturbed due to the location of damaged forests.

"Aesthetic element is damaged due to forest destruction. This can not be restored," said Jabar. *** [ANTON WILLIAM | KORAN TEMPO 3883]

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