By: Firza Anandya Astri, Department: English Literature
OPINION, LIPUTANSATU.COM,– Tin mining at Pasir Padi Beach is a vivid portrait of the paradox of self-consuming development.On one hand,tin has been the economic lifeblood of the Bangka Belitung community for centuries,supporting the livelihoods of many families.On the other hand,destructive and short-term exploitation methods threaten the very foundation of this island’s sustainability.
The impact is multidimensional and has reached an alarming level.First,the ecological damage is permanent.Coastal mining destroys the coastal ecosystem,erodes the shoreline, land causes severe abrasion.The released sediment kills coral reefs and damages marine life.Second,a social threat.The loss of Pasir Padi Beach as a public space,a recreational area,and a cultural symbol is an invaluable loss.The community loses its “breathing space” and collective identity.Third,long-term economic vulnerability.When the tin is gone,all that remains is scarred land unfit for tourism,agriculture,or settlement.We are mortgaging the potential of sustainable marine tourism for fleeting mining profits.
