Giant sea wall to protect about 55 million people: RI Govt

Demak, C. Java (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government is pushing ahead with plans for a giant sea wall to protect about 50 million to 55 million people on Java's northern coast from land subsidence and tidal flooding, an official said Monday.

Didit Herdiawan Ashaf, head of the North Coast of Java Management Authority (BOPPJ), said President Prabowo Subianto is drafting a regulation for a sea wall "stretching from Tangerang, Banten, all the way to Gresik."

He spoke on Monday at a nature-based coastal protection demonstration site in Timbulsloko Village in Demak, Central Java, where chronic tidal flooding and rapid subsidence have left homes and schools submerged, with only rooftops visible.

Didit said the project will combine heavy engineering with nature-based solutions tailored to local coastal ecosystems, rather than relying only on concrete barriers.

As an initial proof of concept, BOPPJ has deployed a mangrove-based pilot project in Timbulsloko that could serve as a blueprint for other vulnerable coastal villages.

"This approach could subsequently be implemented in other similar villages or along other coastlines," he said.

The multi-year project requires extensive cooperation among ministries, regional governments and local administrations.

Didit called the Jakarta Bay area a critical focus, saying 23 regional canals from the Greater Jakarta-Puncak-Cianjur (Punjur) area drain into 12 waterways, many needing urgent repairs and estuary work with the Jakarta provincial government.

Authorities expect a stabilized coastline to revitalize local economies, protecting the livelihoods of millions of fishermen, fish farmers, farm workers and factory employees.

"If this can be implemented effectively, the livelihoods of the coastal communities will certainly improve," Didit said, urging broad public and institutional support for the initiative's success.

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Translator: Ahmad Muzdaffar Fauzan, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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