PKSPL IPB University with the Humanist and Social Innovation Foundation Collaborate with the Kendal Regency Government Build the Resilience of Coastal Communities to Face the Climate Change
The real impact of climate change felt by the coastal communities of Kendal Regency recently is tidal flooding which is increasingly reaching fishpond areas, rice fields and urban areas. It is feared that this flood will disrupt economic activity and food security due to damage to agricultural land and community ponds. The impact of this flood is further exacerbated by the occurrence of land subsidence and sea water intrusion.
This was conveyed by Sapta Setiawan, Secretary of the Kendal Regency Planning, Research and Development Agency (Baperlitbang) during a meeting with the Humanist and Social Innovation Foundation with the IPB University Center for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies (PKSPL) IPB University. The meeting was within the framework of the Fisherfolk Empowerment for Climate Resilience and Sustainability (Focus) program which took place at the Baperlitbang Office, Kendal Regency, Central Java (19/6).
Sapta added, the problem in handling problems in coastal and marine areas in Kendal Regency at the moment is a matter of coordination and authority. Given that after the issuance of the 2014 Regional Government Law (Pemda), some authority over coastal and marine areas rests with the provincial government (pemprov).
“So, the district government (pemkab) can only provide input only. While the implementation and action of activities are at the provincial government level. On the other hand, many people complain and complain about coastal issues to the Kendal Regency Government,” said Sapta.
This meeting is the first step of the Focus program which will conduct a study to compile the State of the Coast document. The results of this study are not limited to coastal portraits or recommendations, but will be followed up in the form of strategic programs that are expected to be right on target. The results of the study recommendations will also be re-validated with the local government and the community.
Yoppie Christian, Program Officer from PKSPL IPB University explained that the meetings and studies currently being conducted are the starting point of a series of Focus programs for approximately the next three years in the framework of integrated coastal area management uniquely in each region.
“This activity will be the joint work of all parties involved in coastal management. PKSPL IPB University will assemble all the data obtained to make the best middle ground such as authority between local government levels and inter-agency relations in Kendal Regency,” he said.
At this time, said Yoppie, PKSPL IPB University is collecting data from each of the related coastal offices to be able to find gaps and other problems. The collected data will be analyzed and validated together with all relevant parties to make a strategic plan needed to manage coastal areas in an integrated manner without ‘running into’ the existing regulations and authorities of each agency.
“Efforts to implement the Focus program are a form of PKSPL IPB University’s efforts to contribute to the achievement of the 2030 sustainable development goals or SDGs, particularly SDGs points 2, 5, 13, 14 and 17,” he said.
Focus or Empowering Fishermen for Climate Resilience and Sustainability is a program born from a co-creation process between the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) and the Humanist and Social Innovation Foundation (affiliated with Hivos), the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI), the People’s Coalition for Fisheries Justice (KIARA) and PKSPL IPB University. This program aims is to build integrated coastal management for a sustainable food system for fishing communities, including women in the Central Java region. (nur/yop) (IAAS/Hap)
