EVALUATION OF REGIONAL AUTONOMY: BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS OR THE RIGHTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT

This is a Response to the Pemuda Bersuara Berdaya wikithon

Attention to the environment is currently diminishing. This is evident from human priorities, which focus solely on clothing, food, and shelter. Only a few people feel a sense of ownership towards the environment, so efforts to preserve and protect it have not been maximized. A question that may arise is why the environment should be protected. In law, protection is typically given to legal subjects. However, is the environment a legal subject that can bear rights and obligations? Regional autonomy is the answer to this issue. Regional leaders must be able to align regulations with the concept of sustainable development, including government efforts to limit the exercise of rights over the environment to protect environmental rights themselves. Current regional autonomy tends to be excessive, particularly regarding the exploitation of natural resources. Many regions with abundant natural resources exploit them to increase regional income, showing a tendency towards weak sustainability without considering environmentally conscious development principles. Consequently, environmental damage and pollution are accelerating. An example is the reclamation issue at Losari Beach, Makassar, which may have negative impacts by threatening biodiversity and lowering water quality due to sedimentation. The benefits are mostly enjoyed by investors, while fishermen and local communities are disadvantaged. Through regional autonomy, the granting of industrial and tourism permits seems to be economically oriented, highlighting the right to the environment rather than the right of the environment itself. Therefore, local governments must pay attention to environmental rights to ensure that future generations can meet their needs with the same quality, quantity, and options.

Affiliation: Ikatan Duta Bahasa Sulawesi Selatan dan Sulawesi Barat / Universitas Indonesia
Age: 22-30