Importance Score: 70 / 100 🔴
Indonesia’s New Capital, Nusantara, Grapples with Rat Problem Amid Tourist Influx
Nusantara, Indonesia’s under-construction new capital city in Borneo, welcomed thousands of holidaymakers during the Eid al-Fitr break. However, alongside the impressive sight of modern government buildings taking shape within the forested landscape, visitors encountered an unexpected issue: a noticeable rat infestation.
Rodents Spotted as Tourists Visit Nusantara
Videos depicting rodents moving through crowds in Nusantara rapidly circulated across Indonesian social media platforms recently. The emergence of these pests in the nascent capital has prompted swift action from authorities.
Authorities Respond to Pest Concerns
The Nusantara Capital Authority (NCA) has responded by implementing widespread rat traps and pledging enhanced sanitation protocols. These measures are aimed at urgently addressing the pest problem to prevent it from negatively impacting the city’s aspirations of becoming a high-tech and environmentally friendly urban center.
“This area was previously forested and hilly,” explained Thomas Umbu Pati Tena, the NCA’s deputy for development control. “Naturally, existing rat populations are present. However, we are actively addressing this. Our health and community teams are currently working on mitigation efforts.”
Nusantara: A Vision of Sustainable Urban Development
The ambitious $32 billion project to relocate Indonesia’s capital from Jakarta, a densely populated and subsiding metropolis, to Borneo, is being internationally promoted as a “smart and sustainable” urban model. Nusantara is intended to exemplify climate-conscious design and minimize its environmental impact.
Construction accelerated in 2022, with projections for the city to eventually accommodate up to 1.9 million residents.
Clash Between Futuristic Vision and Present Challenges
Nevertheless, visuals of rats navigating construction zones, and in some instances interacting with visitors, present a stark contrast to the city’s futuristic aspirations. These sightings have raised concerns about the practical challenges of developing a new urban center in a previously undeveloped area.
Visitor Experience and Contributing Factors
Over the Eid holiday period, more than 64,000 individuals visited Nusantara to observe the progress of Indonesia’s future capital firsthand. Many expressed admiration for the contemporary architectural designs. However, numerous visitors also noted the presence of litter, particularly plastic waste. Authorities acknowledge that this accumulation of waste has contributed to the increased rodent activity in the area.