Group VI Presentation                                                                          Posted  24 October 2001

Science Philosophy (PPs 702)

Graduate Program

Institut Pertanian Bogor

October  2001

 

Instructor:

Prof Dr Ir Rudy C Tarumingkeng                                                                                                             

 

 

 

THE ENVIRONMENTAL  MANAGEMENT OF THE SEGARA ANAKAN LAGOON

AND ITS SORROUNDINGS, CILACAP,  CENTRAL JAVA,  INDONESIA

 

 

By:

 

Abubakar, Agustinus Yacub, Asriani Hasanudin, Ery Suhartanto, Herman Tabrany, Jarot. Prianggono,

Joko Christanto, Mobius Tanari, Saihul Anwar (Ketua), Siti Marwah

 

 

ABSTRACT

This article is written based on the Research that was carried out in the Segara Anakan Lagoon on the south coast of Central Java, immediately northwest of Cilacap, Central Java, and about 350 km southeast of Jakarta. The lagoon and its surroundings are marked by several distinctive features, including an extensive mangrove system, very rapid sedimentation, leading to progradation of the shoreline, strong tidal influence and the presence of many varieties of fish, crab and shrimp.

The main objective of the article is to prepare  the Segara Anakan environs so as to ensure that economically and socially valuable ecosystems are protected for the benefit of current and future generations.

The method used in the study is by using the analysis of  secondary data for supporting the result of the study. The result of the study shows that commercial cutting and degradation of the mangroves has to be controlled through the related agency concerned, and the need to be prepare more sustainable basis for conserving and developing the lagoon’s future resource base.

 Based on the result of study, recommendation can be formulated as follows: mangrove forest need to be protected by preparing forest management guidance and instructions  that can be accessed and operasionalized by people in Kampung Laut easily. Beside that, a certain areas should be made for the people in Kampung Laut to use, for example as agricultural land, ponds and regeneration areas. The mangrove forest in the surrounding of the Segara Anakan  lagoon should be made as a protected zone. And the best option for this is likely to be community base management. This is emphasized local, village level, and control of resources.

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 
Background

 

The lagoon is a closely interlinked ecosystem comprising open water areas, mudflats, salt marshes and mangrove forests offering niches and habitats for a wide variety of animal and plant species, many of them endangered. It plays an important role in productivity of the coastal water of southern part of Central Java and hence supports economically to the livelihood of people. The lagoon is one of the few remaining wetland areas in the region and offers roosting and nesting places for a number of stationary and migratory birds.

The shoreline of the Segara Anakan Lagoons has rapidly decreased during recent decades, especially after the explosions of the Galunggung Mountain in 1983. The accretion has been from the north to the south and  from the east to the west side of the area. This rapid sedimentation is due mainly to sediment from the Citanduy river and the other smaller streams. The effect of tides and currents on the morphology is very quick change.

All islands and newly formed land in the Segara anakan lagoon proved to be occupied by the same species found along the shoreline of the lagoon. The newly formed land is being inverted by mangrove species, of which avicennia species are considered the chief pioneers (Soeryowinoto, 1980 in Agus Pudjoarinto, 1982, cited from Eric, C.F., 1982) along with Rizhophora. According to Hardjo suwarno (1980, cited from Eric, C.F., 1982), at the mouth of the Donan river in the front zone of mangrove consists predominantly of Avicennia species, but in the mouth of Pekalongan river, Sonneratia species are dominants. Rujiman (1974) mentioned that around the mouth of the Alur Buntu river, the front mangrove zone is dominated by zonneratia alba Smith. He is also considered that Sonneratia alba Smith also as pioneer along the coast of the Segara Anakan area.

 

The mangrove forest of the Segara Anakan  is now degrading due to the density of the population of the area surrounding the forest leading to illegal cutting and the conversion of the mangrove forest into areas of settlement and agriculture. According to Wiryokarmodjo, et al. 1979, it can be seen that half of the mangrove forest in Kampung Laut has been damaged.

Poor upland soil management in the two watersheds causes considerable amount of sediments to be able to enter into the lagoon, bringing about a steady land accretion which overtime will completely engulf open water areas and wetlands. It is expected that within a period of ten years, the lagoon will have been completely choked by sediments and will have ceased to exist. The area  that will have been a highly valuable and productive ecosystem will be covered by sediments and will only offer marginal farmlands for rainfed agricultural practices. In a subsequent definition of current threats and disturbances that have an impact on natural site processes and site value.  As may be seen that the major management issues of the Segara Anakan are: 1) high rate of lagoon sedimentation and reducing open water area and water volume caused by agricultural development activities in the catchments areas and poor area management; 2) steady loss of mangrove forest area surrounding    lagoon   caused by poor   lagoon area and buffer zone   management;  3) uncontrolled aquaculture expansion of upland developments caused by poor lagoon area management; 4) uncoordinated and heavily impacting expansion of upland developments caused by poor buffer zone management; 5) uncontrolled and un-monitored pollution inputs caused by lack of management of the catchments area and from buffer zone (run offs of fertilizers and pesticides from farming plus household waste) and probably, from aquaculture.

 

Objective of study

 

The general objective of the study is to prepare the environmental management of the Segara Anakan lagoon and its surroundings so as to ensure that economically and socially valuable ecosystems are protected for the benefit of current and future generations.

 

Method Used

 

The method of the study is an  analysis of  the secondary data. The secondary data were obtained from several sources, namely: library, newspaper, related institutions. An analysis secondary data has been used for obtaining the result that can be applied to manage Segara Anakan. The secondary data is data that has been obtained from institutions, such as: constitutes media government report, pas project report document, government statistic/ministries, past report, brochures, conference, workshops etc.

 

 Scope of Study

 

The scope of the study consists of the following items: 1) create a basis for sustainable management of natural resources in and around the Segara Anakan Lagoon and; 2) stabilize  the offshore fisheries that largely depends on the  existence and ecological soundness and functioning of the Segara Anakan Lagoon.

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA

 

Study Area and Location

 

The Segara Anakan lagoon mangrove complex, commonly called Segara Anakan lagoon, is located on the south coast of Java and administratively The Segara Anakan is located in Kawunganten Subdistrict, Cilacap, Central Java. The Segara Anakan Lagoon consists of a central lagoon surrounded by mangrove swamps and recently accreted intertidal land that has partially been converted into rice fields. The central lagoon has remaining surface area of about 1,700 Ha and is surrounded by an equal area of sloughs and tributaries, draining the mangrove swamps and intertidal land, respectively. There are about 12,230 Ha of mangrove forests, with varying degrees of disturbance, surrounding  the lagoon. The Lagoon is connected  to the Indian Ocean through two tidal channels, some 25 km apart, and is protected from the sea by the rocky Nusa Kambangan island (about 30,000 ha) that runs parallel to the coast. The lagoon complex receives inflow from two major river basins: the Citanduy basin, with a catchments area of about 350,000 ha; and the Segara Anakan basin, with a catchments area of about 96,000 ha, that drains through the lagoon via two principal rivers, the Cibeureum and Cikonde.

 

Geological view point

 

Van Bemelen (1949) stated that the coastal lowland belongs to the central depression zone of Java, the continuation of the Citanduy Depression. The eastern area, a broad coastal plain  with almost flat topography, consists of beach sands, with intercalations of iron-sand pockets. The extent of the lithology varies widely. The smooth coastline in this area indicates that marine processes are stronger than terrestrial influxes. Unlike the eastern area, where marine processes exceed terrestrial influxes, the area surroundings the Segara Anakan shows that  terrestrial agents play dominant role in deposition. The Segara Anakan itself is a body of brackish water, situated north of Nusa Kambangan Island. This Island  acts as a barrier  protecting the Segara Anakan from the wave of currents of the Indian Ocean, resulting in a low energy environment in the Segara Anakan. The Segara Anakan is connected with the Indian Ocean by two outlets, namely the western and the eastern. Since it occupies the south-eastern continuation of the broad alluvial plain in the Citanduy River, as well as from the Cibereum that flows in from the north. This results of the flows in shallowing and narrowing of the Segara Anakan. If there is no countermeasures are taken, it can be predicted that within a few decades the present  estuary will be completely choked with alluvium. At present, the tide affected lowland surrounding the Segara anakan is in the form of a mangrove swamp, crisscross by interconnected tidal channels and underlied by alluviums and swamp sediments in the form of clay and silt mixed with organic materials.

 

Geomorphologic View point

 

A coast, in particularly beach, is often a rapidly changing landform. The complexity of the forces initiating frequently rapid beach changes makes a proper analysis of coastal features difficult (Zuidam and Zuidam, 1978). The beach form is affected by the following main features; the beach material, wave, wind and tide. Human interference may have a market effect on the beach, such as structures as harbors and piers modifying the natural movement  of beach material so as to cause profound changes in the immediate vicinity and adjoining areas (Zuidam and Zuidam, 1978). They also said that marshy or muddy land areas in the coastal zone which are covered and uncovered by the rise and fall of the tide are called tidal flats  and these areas exist around the Segara Anakan. Typical of such flats are strongly curved, wide-open creeks and vegetation patterns. The vegetation differences causing such patterns are the result of differences in elevation, texture and water qualities. Beach ridges are continuous mounds of beach material formed immediately behind the beach by wave action. Ridges may occur singly or in a series of approximately parallel deposits. The Cilacap region is formed by smoothly curved sandy beach ridges stretching continuously from Nusa Kambangan to Karangbolong, interrupted only by rivers which enter the Indian  Ocean. Numerous older beach ridges, approximately parallel to the coastline of today, can be traced inland, and they record stages in shoreline progradation. They are absent from the Segara Anakan area, which was always protected from wave by the hill of Nusa Kambangan, and are best developed along those parts of the coastline most exposed to the South-East winds (Verstappen, 1975).

 

Environmental View Point

 

The Segara Anakan Environs are the only extensive lagoon mangrove complex remaining on Java. It is highly productive, supporting coastal fisheries that are of prime economic importance to the region. The ecosystem are made up of variety of major habitats; mangroves, silt water marshes, intertidal mudflat, and open water. It is the synergy of all of these habitats that underlines the importance of its productive functions and environmental values, in particular its function as a major nursery ground for many of the economically important fish/shrimp species in the coastal waters. The true value of the wetlands has been long disregarded but is now being increasingly recognized.  Wetland ecosystem s account for about  six percent of the global land area and are considered to be among the most threatened of environmental resources. Wetland ecological systems contain many animal/plant species, occupy key positions in natural resources production, and perform vital functions with regard to nutrient cycles and  filtering tasks. They regulate water flows, provide a habitat for wild animals and birds and offer a rich variety of products for people living in/or near the vicinity. The Segara Anakan lagoon forms an ecosystem of considerable environmental and economic value. Freshwater and nutrients from the rivers mix with sea water and detritus mater (leaf litter) from the mangroves to forms a highly productive condition for both lagoon and marine life. The lagoon itself is a highly productive fishery but even more important, it is a nursery for shrimp and demersal finfish that are primarily caught in coastal water outside the lagoon. 

 

Socio-Economic Dimensions

 

The lagoon has considerable cultural value and significance; people have lived here for more than hundreds of years. Due to the environmental destruction and man-made interventions the livelihood of these people and a valuable ecosystem will be inevitably annihilated if no action is taken. The lagoon is an important breeding and resting ground for endangered wildlife, and it supports the south Java shrimp fishery, which contributes substantial export earnings to the National Government (Based on the report of Department of Fisheries, the annual production reported at Cilacap is approximately 9,000 tons). Kampung Laut in the Segara Anakan Lagoon area, consists of three villages are subdivided into eight subvillages: Ujung gagak village  with the sub-villages of Karanganyar and Cibeureum; Panikel with Muara Dua, Bugel and Panikel; Ujung Alang with Motean, Klaces (on Nusa Kambangan Island) and Ujung Alang Baru.

 

Population and Population Number; and Migration.

 

Among the villages, the most densely populated is Panikel. Table 1 shows settlement areas, village population and population density.

 

 

Table 1. Settlement Areas, Village Population and Population Density

No

Village

Settlement Area

(Ha)

Population

Population Density (No. of Persons/ha)

1

Ujung Alang

452.6

4,391

10

2

Ujung Gagak

184.2

3,673

20

3

Panikel

132.9

3,679

28

Total

 

769.7

11,743

15

Source: Monografi Desa, 1997

 

 

The in migration into the Kampung Laut is very low. On the other hand, a high out migration started in the 1980’s, mainly by young people who look for employment elsewhere. Most of the inhabitants were born in their villages. Only a negligible number of persons have migrated into the Kampung Laut during the recent years.

 

Level of Education

 

The existing few schools are confined to the primary school level, and have been extended moderately to encompass most hamlets. Due to the instability of some of the newly accreted soil base, several of school buildings have been damaged, and after being repaired several times, are in a few cases no longer occupied. There are 12 schools in total, 9 elementary and 3 junior high schools located in Ujung Alang (4); Ujung Gagak (4); and Panikel (4). Some teachers such as those working in Panikel commute daily from Kawunganten, a practice that reduces the effective hours spent for teaching. The level of education of inhabitants of the Kampung Laut of Kawunganten subdistrict is shown in the following table.

 

 

Table 2. Level of Education in Kampung Laut

No

Level of Education

Ujung Alang

Ujung Gagak

Panikel

Total

No

%

No

%

No

%

No

%

1

Elementary School

452

73.2

256

61.7

296

65.6

1,872

61.5

2

Junior High school

99

16.0

99

23.8

94

20.8

833

37.3

3

Senior High school

62

10.0

56

13.5

58

12.9

328

10.0

4

Academy/University

5

0.8

4

1.0

3

0.7

12

0.4

 

Total

618

100

415

100

451

100

3,045

100

Source: Monografi Desa, 1997

 

 

The majority of inhabitants of the Kampung Laut of Segara Anakan graduated from elementary school, and only small percentage obtained on academic degree. The illiteracy rate was estimated to be 30% and this still appears to be the case. However, this relatively high percentage is most likely due to the fact that younger people with formal education use to leave their village. According to preliminary interview that has been conducted, there is a change in perception and attitude regarding higher education. Many in the young generation are aware of the fact that on alternative way of improving income and standard of living is to obtain higher formal education. It is this group  that is most likely to emigrate as soon as individuals achieved an educational attainment.

 

Income and Livelihood

 

The primary source of income for local people is the lagoon fisheries which have decreased from time to time. There is engagement in new income sources like farming, mangrove lumber and labor, but the options are limited.

 

The average level of per capita household income of the villagers in the area generally does not meet the minimum basic needs. According to the head of village (Kepala Desa), people in Ujung Alang earn less than Rp 150,000.00 (Rupiah A hundred fifty thousands) per month in the average. The average income of the people in Ujung Gagak is much higher than that, reaching Rp 450,000.00 (Rupiah Four Hundred and Fifty Thousands). Panikel, on the other hand, is certainly the most impoverished village of the Kampung Laut. Here, most villagers are depending on marginal rainfed farming. The low general income of the people in Kampung Laut is caused by almost all people in the area worked and were employed in some capacity, but underemployment was still a problem. Fishing was the almost common livehood, but this was seasonal and depended on the weather and environmental conditions.

 

The accretion of land and subsequent growth of the islands allowed more farming and gardening activities. Small scale of farming augmented food supply for local consumption but contributed little in income generation.

 

Flooding and inundation of hamlets and agricultural lands poses a persistent problem in the perception of villagers in Panikel.  During the last two years they were unable to work their paddies, and most of them had to look for gainful employment outside the lagoon. They recall the flood about 12 years ago that left their land covered with 1.5 m of mud and caused 8 deaths among them. A decade ago, they suffered and acute famine and had to be supplied with food by a private organization.

 

 

Table 3. Main Occupation of Household Heads in Kampung Laut

No

Occupation

Ujung Alang

Ujung Gagak

Panikel

Total

No

%

No

%

No

%

No

%

1

Fishing

936

29.3

779

32.0

483

16.7

2,410

22.8

2

Farm Labor

603

18.9

491

20.2

796

27.5

2,465

23.4

3

Farming

893

28.0

674

27.8

978

33.7

3,327

31.5

4

Other Labor

193

6.1

69

2.8

143

4.9

503

4.8

5

Civil Service

20

0.7

24

1.0

21

0.7

82

0.8

6

Others

545

17.0

391

16.2

477

16.5

1,767

16.7

7

Total

3,190

100.0

2,428

100.0

2,898

100.0

10,554

100.0

Source: Monografi Desa, 1997

 

 

Fishing is the dominant source of income in Ujung Alang and Ujung Gagak, whereas in Panikel, farmer is the main occupation (see table 3). In view of decreasing catches in the lagoon, some people are in the process of shifting from fishing to farming.

 

Health Standards and Sanitation Facilities

 

Although the health standard in the villages had apparently improved slightly since the time of the report by White et al (1989), the sanitation and health situation in the villages within Segara Anakan environs is still very poor. All villages suffer from lack of Sanitary facilities and supplies of potable water, with the exception of Klaces on Nusa Kambangan. The problem is compounded during dry season. In Ujung Alang, water was piped from Nusa Kambangan, the underwater pipe, however, was frequently hit by a ship and damaged in the process. It has not been repaired yet, reportedly due to lack of funds. Potable water is now ferried from Nusa Kambangan, a trip of more than 3 hours to Ujung Gagak.

 

Socio-economic impacts are positive and arise from the interventions that inhibit further loss of the lagoon’s resource base and introduce group strategies, through village organizations and women groups, for more sustainable management of the lagoon’s resources. They also arise  from a specific interventions to improve village infrastructure, access to facilities institutional and legal frameworks, and income generating opportunities.

 

Accessibility, Means of Transport

 

The sole mean of communication within the lagoon of water transport. A number of privately operated boats serve the Kampung Laut and provide transportation services on call for passengers and goods, together with public transport boats. The water way between Nusa Kambangan and Mudflats and Islands in the Lagoon is the thoroughfare for large car ferries that communicate between Cilacap, Majingklak and Kalipucang.

 

 

ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS