Some impacts of industry pollution in The Brantas River, East Java, and constraints on efforts towards a clean-up: An overview

Koffel, P. (1998) Some impacts of industry pollution in The Brantas River, East Java, and constraints on efforts towards a clean-up: An overview. In: Koffel, P., Lowe, B., Ho, G., Newman, P., Tjaturono, and Sedyowati, L., (eds.) Environmental technology : applications in principle and practice : proceedings of an International Symposium held at Merdeka University, Malang, Indonesia, July 1-3 1996. Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, pp. 71-82.

Abstract

The rapid expansion of industrialisation in East Java during the last two decades has caused severe river pollution. The Brantas River Basin constitutes the core of that industrialisation and the core of much of East Java's development activity. River pollution in some cases has impacted heavily upon riparian communities.

Issues of riverwater quality and pollution control have become a focus for government, NGO's, media, educational institutions and foreign aid. These issues, and the focus they are receiving, have created complexities in the political, economic, social and environmental life of the Brantas Basin which are stretching the status quo. In the process of realigning these "life" forces towards a healthy river, inconsistencies and contradictions have become apparent.

This paper aims to map out the issues of industrial pollution in the Brantas Basin by exploring the expansion of industry, the impacts it has had on communities and showing that their responses and protests have been an important catalyst in shaking up inertia, though not always with a desired end. It also aims to explore the river clean-up activities, and the conflicts and constraints between industries, communities, bureaucracies and NGOs (the stakeholders) that have emerged out of those activities.

Item Type:	Book Chapter
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	Institute for Science and Technology Policy
Publisher:	Murdoch University
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/11239

Item Control Page

Downloads