Jakarta, one of the world's largest cities, is rapidly sinking into the sea. The situation is such that 40 percent of the city has come under sea level, due to which the Indonesian government is building a new city for the capital. Work for this is going on at a fast pace.
Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country, is busy establishing a new capital for itself. The reason for this is the rising sea level, due to which the current capital and one of the big cities of the world, Jakarta, is sinking. Jakarta, located on the northwest coast of Java, has been the capital of Indonesia as well as the country's largest urban centre, but now 40 percent of the city's land is now below sea level.Due to the rising sea level, the houses of more than 1 crore people living within the city limits and 3 crore people living in the metropolitan area are facing the serious problem of submergence.
Indonesia is building a new capital
To deal with this crisis, the Indonesian government has prepared a plan to move the capital to a city called Nusantara. Construction is underway to build this city on the east coast of Borneo, about 1400 kilometres north of Jakarta. According to the report, this ambitious project is going to cost an estimated 35 billion dollars and the target has been set to complete it by 2045.
Capital change for the first time due to climate crisis
However, this is not the first time that the capital of a country is being shifted. Before this, countries like Brazil and Nigeria have changed their capital. Yes, Jakarta's case is unique because it is the first time that the climate crisis has directly led to the removal of the capital. Rising sea levels and problems caused by excessive groundwater exploitation have accelerated Jakarta's sinking, forcing the government to take immediate action.
Jakarta could get completely submerged
Indonesian President Joko Widodo supported the plan to move the capital in August 2019. East Kalimantan was then chosen as the new site considering its proximity to the sea and low susceptibility to natural disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. Meanwhile, environmental experts have warned of the grave possibility that one-third of Jakarta could be completely submerged under water by 2050 if the current situation continues.