The capital of this country will drown in the sea, know what is the reason? President took this big decision

The earthquake-prone city of Jakarta is sinking into the Java Sea. For this reason, leaving Jakarta, a new capital is being built on the island of Borneo. This new capital is being set up on 256,000 hectares of land in the East Kalimantan province of Borneo.

Image Source: AP FILE The capital of this country will drown in the sea, know what is the reason? President took this big decision

Indonesia News: Some cities in the world are on the verge of drowning. One of these is Jakarta, the city and capital of Indonesia. It is rapidly sinking into the sea, due to which it will no longer be the capital of Indonesia. The earthquake-prone city of Jakarta is sinking into the Java Sea. For this reason, leaving Jakarta, a new capital is being built on the island of Borneo. This new capital is being set up on 256,000 hectares of land in the East Kalimantan province of Borneo.

Because of these problems in Jakarta, President Joko Widodo had imagined making a new capital of the country, which is now being realized. They have allowed the creation of a sustainable capital with a sparse population. Indonesian officials say the new capital will be a ‘sustainable forest city’, where protecting the environment will be the first priority for development. A target has been set to make the new capital carbon-neutral by 2045.

The place of new capital is the forested area and the land of the tribals.
Except for Jakarta, the new capital is being set up in Borneo. It is, in fact, a forest area. Various species of wild animals and tribal species reside here. Controversy has also arisen regarding setting up the capital at such a place. Environmentalists have warned that the capital will lead to large-scale deforestation, threaten habitats of endangered species like orangutans and take away tribal habitats.

Why is Indonesia changing its capital?
At present, about one crore people live in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. It has been described as the fastest-sinking city in the world. Given the current situation, it is estimated that by 2050 one-third of the city may be submerged. The main reason for this is said to be the excessive extraction of groundwater. Due to climate change, the water level of the Java Sea is increasing continuously. For this reason, the capital is being merged into it.

1. Overcrowding and pollution: Jakarta is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with over 10 million residents and a metropolitan area of over 30 million people. The city’s rapid growth has led to severe overcrowding, traffic congestion, and pollution, making it difficult for residents to live and work in a healthy and sustainable environment.
2. Environmental concerns: Jakarta is located on the coast and is prone to flooding, which has become increasingly frequent and severe in recent years due to rising sea levels and climate change. The city also faces other environmental challenges, such as air pollution, deforestation, and water pollution.
3. Economic development: Indonesia’s government sees the move as an opportunity to promote economic development in other parts of the country. The new capital is located in a region that is rich in natural resources, such as coal and timber and has the potential to become a hub for business and industry.
4. Strategic location: The new capital will be located in a more central and strategic location, making it easier to access other parts of the country and the rest of Southeast Asia. It is also located away from the country’s most active seismic zone, making it less vulnerable to earthquakes.
5. Political decentralization: Indonesia is a highly decentralized country, with significant power and resources devolved to its regions and provinces. Moving the capital to East Kalimantan is seen as a way to further promote political decentralization, by encouraging greater investment and development in other parts of the country.
6. Long-term planning: Indonesia’s government sees the move as a long-term planning strategy, aimed at addressing some of the country’s most pressing challenges over the next several decades. The new capital will be designed to be more sustainable, with a focus on renewable energy, green spaces, and environmentally friendly transportation.
7. National identity: The move to a new capital city is also seen as a way to promote Indonesia’s national identity and unity. The current capital, Jakarta, was originally a colonial city, and some Indonesians feel that it does not adequately represent the country’s diverse cultural heritage.
8. Economic disparities: Jakarta is the economic and financial centre of Indonesia, with significant disparities in wealth and development between the city and other parts of the country. Moving the capital to a new location is seen as a way to promote more equitable economic development and reduce regional disparities.
9. Timeline: Indonesia’s government has set an ambitious timeline for the move, with plans to begin construction on the new capital in 2021 and complete the relocation by 2024. However, some experts have expressed scepticism about whether this timeline is feasible, given the scale of the project and the challenges involved.
10. Funding: The cost of building a new capital city from scratch is expected to be significant, with some estimates putting the price tag at over $33 billion. Indonesia’s government has said that it will finance the project through a combination of state funds, private investment, and international partnerships.
11. Design: The new capital city is expected to be designed as a “smart city,” with a focus on sustainability, technology, and innovation. The government has said that it will prioritize green spaces, pedestrian-friendly areas, and efficient public transportation.
12. Infrastructure: To support the new capital city, Indonesia’s government plans to invest heavily in infrastructure, including new airports, highways, and railways. The government has also said that it will prioritize the development of high-speed internet and other digital infrastructure.
13. Relocation: The move to a new capital city is expected to involve the relocation of government offices, embassies, and other institutions from Jakarta to the new location. This process is likely to be complex and time-consuming, requiring significant planning and coordination.