| Summary: | The Development of Million Hectare of Peaty Land in Central Kalimantan was launched by the President of the Republic of Indonesia in July 1995 that was known as Proyek Pengembangan Lahan Gambut Saw Juta Hektar(PLG). The reclamation of this swampy area was intended to develop a new agriculture areas to replace the agriculture areas in Jawa Island that have been converted to industrial estate.
The project was executed without any detail survey as generally conducted before the detailed design. The development plan of this area is based on the assumption that all the areas were inundated and flat, therefore series of drainage canal network, equiped with some gates to prevent excessive drainage were required. Physical and social constraints and complains from the enviromentalist came directly in the first year of the implementation. Almost of the areas are covered with deep peat dome, some part that are mineral soil containt potential acid sulphate soil in the shallow layer. Evacuation of water by digging series of canal promoted oxidation of pyrite and destruction of peat dome. This reclamation lead to the raise of acidity of water and soil that endangered the life of vegetation and human being.
A review of the development plan is needed to find out the approach for improving the physical and social condition of the areas. The canal system review is one of the most important work to stop the process of deterioration of the soil and water quality. Conservation of water in the tertiary block, contruction of overflow structures at the end of secondary canal and division of the areas into several smaller zone are proposed .
Key Words: Development plan - peaty land - Central Kalimantan - Civil engineering
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