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Illegal cafes in Bandung forest park finally closed
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Tahura was opened on Aug. 23, 1965. (tahuradjuanda.jabarprov.go.id//File)
T
he Grand Forest Park (Tahura) on Jl. Juanda, Bandung, West Java, is finally free from illegal coffee shops following enforcement measures taken by the West Java Public Order Agency (Satpol PP).
The four cafes, namely Armor, Jungle Coffee House, Balcony Resto and Cafe, and Waroeng Pinus, had been sealed by Satpol PP since Oct. 20. The businesses had previously been given four months to find a legal standing. On Monday, the owners reportedly demolished the coffee shops themselves.
Although the establishments could comfortably accommodate visiting tourists, Anti, a resident of Sragen in Central Java, agreed with the closure because they failed to observe the park’s regulations. “If they interrupt the water infiltration system or other regulations in there, then I fully agree with the demolition of the cafes. The function of a forest should be restored for a fresher environment,” she said as quoted by Antara news agency.
(Read also: Bandung to build skywalk in Cihampelas shopping area)
US citizen Albert, who lives in Indonesia and has visited Tahura several times, praised the provincial administration for conducting such measures. "Hopefully this park will continue to be preserved and become a tourist attraction without inflicting any damage on the ecosystem."
Tahura was opened on Aug. 23, 1965, when it comprised only 10 hectares of land. Today, the forest park, which contains 2,500 types of plants, stretches over 590 hectares from Pakar to Maribaya.
West Java Governor Ahmar Heryawan inaugurated the opening of Tebing Keraton in Tahura in May, which is dedicated as a place for watching migratory bird species. (mra/kes)
