Walhi Blames Illegal Development for Deadly West Bandung Landslide

January 25, 2026 | 08:30 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Environmental activists say the deadly landslide in West Bandung Regency, West Java, Indonesia, was not merely a natural disaster triggered by heavy rain, but the result of long-term environmental damage caused by development that violated land-use regulations.

Wahyudin Iwang, executive director of environmental group Walhi West Java, said the landslide in Cisarua District reflects years of activities that ignored spatial planning rules in the North Bandung Area, known locally as Kawasan Bandung Utara (KBU).

“This landslide is the accumulation of activities that were not in line with spatial planning and environmental functions,” Wahyudin said on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

What Is the North Bandung Area (KBU)?

The KBU is a conservation zone covering around 38,543 hectares across four cities and regencies in West Java, including West Bandung. The area serves as a critical water catchment and environmental buffer for the Bandung Basin, one of Indonesia’s most densely populated regions.

“KBU functions as a conservation area, water catchment zone, and protected area,” Wahyudin said.

However, West Bandung Regency contains many steep hills and slopes that are naturally prone to landslides, erosion, floods, and mudflows. According to Wahyudin, these risks have been amplified by human activities that reduce the land’s ability to absorb rainwater.

How Development Weakened the Environment

Walhi identified large-scale construction as a major contributor to environmental degradation in KBU. Housing complexes, villas, resorts, and other commercial properties have expanded rapidly, often in areas where development should be restricted.

Data from the West Java provincial government show that by 2021, there were more than 382,000 built-up land units in the KBU, with 46.2 percent located in West Bandung Regency alone.

Walhi records indicate that around 3,000 commercial buildings existed in the KBU as early as 2013. The organization estimates that about 30 percent of them violated spatial and environmental regulations, including the absence of proper building permits and required recommendations from the provincial governor.

“There are also buildings that have permits but lack the governor’s recommendation, which is mandatory,” Wahyudin said.

Such practices violate West Java Provincial Regulation No. 1 of 2008, which requires strict technical, architectural, and ecological standards for development in KBU to prevent reduced water absorption and landslide risks.

Farming, Tourism, and a Fragile Landscape

Beyond construction, Wahyudin pointed to agricultural practices that ignore terracing systems, which are essential for slope stability. Tourism development has also contributed to land conversion, further weakening the area’s environmental resilience.

According to Wahyudin, heavy rainfall should be seen only as a trigger, not the root cause, of the disaster.

“The main problem is land-use conversion,” he said. “The soil has lost its ability to retain water, causing excessive runoff into rivers and slopes.”

He added that all areas within the KBU are highly vulnerable, especially given the presence of the Lembang Fault, a major geological fault running through North Bandung. Combined pressure from unchecked construction and intense rainfall, he warned, increases the likelihood of severe disasters.

Calls for Government Action

Walhi has urged the government to conduct an immediate environmental audit of the KBU, impose a moratorium on further development, and strictly enforce sanctions against illegal activities.

Wahyudin criticized authorities for responding only after disasters occur.

“This tragedy shows a lack of seriousness in protecting the environment,” he said. “Damage is acknowledged only when lives are lost.”

Flash floods and landslides struck West Bandung on Saturday, January 24, 2026, killing at least 11 people. As of Sunday, search and rescue teams were still looking for 79 missing residents amid difficult conditions.

Read: How Did a Landslide in West Bandung Turn Into a Deadly Mudflow?

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

How Did a Landslide in West Bandung Turn Into a Deadly Mudflow?

4 jam lalu

Facts About the Landslide Disaster in Cisarua, West Bandung

8 jam lalu

Governor Dedi Mulyadi Relocates Residents After West Bandung Landslides

22 jam lalu

West Bandung Landslide: 8 Killed, 82 Missing

1 hari lalu

At Least 4 Killed in Central Java Floods, Landslides

11 hari lalu

Floods, Landslides Damage 225 Tourist Sites Across Aceh

11 hari lalu

Nearly 200 Sites Prepared to Relocate Sumatra Residents Displaced by Floods

13 hari lalu

Flash Floods Hit Tourism Village in Central Java's Jepara Regency

15 hari lalu

Indonesian Health Minister Explains Why Disaster Volunteers Entered Sumatra via Malaysia

17 hari lalu

Police Identify Suspect in North Sumatra Flash Flood Case

19 hari lalu