Land use changes often affect an ecosystem’s integrity in a region. In infrastructure development, particularly toll roads, there is a direct conversion of existing land use, such as rice fields, settlements, and forests.
The effects of such changes can be severe if the land use conversion disrupts the area’s crucial habitats for plants and animal species.
Habitat loss and degradation are major threats to wildlife species, closely related to road expansion or construction.
In infrastructure development, the government often focuses on abiotic and social aspects but tends to overlook the biotic environment, particularly wildlife, and the large-scale effects of the action.
To address these issues, the UGM Center for Transportation and Logistics Studies (Pustral), in collaboration with HK ExperTalk, initiated a national webinar titled “Infrastructure Development vs. Wildlife Conservation in Indonesia: Achieving Balance.”
The webinar aims to serve as a platform for stakeholders to discuss how policies in infrastructure development can be balanced with wildlife conservation in Indonesia.
Veterinarian Indra Exploitasia Semiawan from the Directorate General of Natural Resources Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) stated that balancing infrastructure and biodiversity requires several considerations.
These include balancing the economic and ecological aspects, understanding wildlife behavior as a scientific approach before developing infrastructure, and fostering a mindset of coexistence with wildlife.
“We live alongside wild animals,” she said.
She added that environmentally friendly road development (eco-passage) is an implementation of the green infrastructure concept to achieve the CBD’s 2050 goal, “Living in Harmony with Nature.”
Ni Putu Oki Wirastuti from PT Hutama Karya (Persero) presented “Challenges and Innovations in Building Toll Road Infrastructure” and emphasized that her company is committed to implementing wildlife conservation plans along the Trans Sumatera Toll Road to support the Green Toll Road concept.
Genman Suhefti Hasibuan from the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Center discussed the adaptation of toll road development to the elephant habitat in Riau Province, providing a direct example of the designation of elephant tunnels on the Dumai-Pekanbaru Toll Road in the Balai Raja elephant pocket.
Dr. Muhammad Ali Imron, the center’s Expert Team member, explained how wildlife responds to road infrastructure development. According to him, roads pose risks to wildlife conservation through their direct effects on vegetation, the environment, and wildlife.
On the other hand, road infrastructure development plays a crucial role in Indonesia’s development, so mitigation efforts are necessary for every road construction and maintenance. Mitigation efforts should not be generic but specific to the characteristics and behavior of wildlife.
Head of the Center for Transportation and Logistics Studies, Dr. Ikaputra, hopes the webinar will serve as a platform for various stakeholders to provide input on how infrastructure development can proceed without disrupting ecosystems, especially existing wildlife.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photo: Otosia.com