Professor of IPB: Almost All regional regulations have a Motive of Exploiting Natural Resources

In commemorating the World Water Day, the Council of Professors (DGB) of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) held a press conference at Kafe Taman Koleksi, Baranangsiang Campus of IPB, Bogor (21/3). The World Water Day commemoration this year raises the theme "Water and Jobs: Better Water, Better Jobs".

Every living thing will not survive if there is no water and water resources in a certain time. Even agriculture is a job that is closely related to water. UN World Water Development Report 2016 noted that two billion people still need to improve sanitation with gender disparity. Many developing countries are still experiencing water stress and affected by climate change.

However, according to Professor of IPB, Prof. Dr. Hidayat Pawitan, 71 percent of regional regulations in Java have a motive to exploit natural resources. Meanwhile as many as 78 percent relates to water and forest resources ignore environmental services, the environment carrying capacity and the social rights of society. "Two-thirds of the water is provided by nature and we only use it," he said.

Prof Hidayat explains, to neutralize waste also needs water. The need to neutralize the waste water is 300 liters per kilogram of waste. Jakarta area with a total population of 10 million people produces 0.7 kilograms of waste per day per person. Thus, the water required to neutralize the waste is 210 liters per day per person. In total 2.1 billion liters of environmental water is needed per day for the waste.

However, he believes the condition of Jakarta could eventually surpass Bangkok and Singapore as repairs currently being done have already showed some results. For example, this year Jakarta did not experience severe flooding. (Mtd)