East Kalimantan Province, located in the eastern part of Kalimantan Island, Indonesia, has been a resource-rich region since ancient times. With the Indonesian government's decision to move the country's capital here, the region's future will face major changes and challenges. The province is gradually becoming the focus of global attention with its rich natural resources, unique ecosystem and diverse culture.
The Indonesian government announced in 2020 that the new national capital will be built on the border of ancient Kartanika and North Paser in East Kalimantan and named Nusantara. The project was originally scheduled to start in 2020 and was expected to be completed in 2024.
However, at a hearing in June 2020, government representatives stated that the 2022 budget could not be allocated to the project due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
East Kalimantan has been home to several kingdoms since ancient times, including the oldest Hindu kingdom in Indonesia, the Kutai Kingdom. The history of these kingdoms is a testament to the region's long cultural heritage. Due to its location on trade routes, East Kalimantan has also become a crossroads of different cultures, promoting exchanges between regions.
As one of Indonesia's third largest and least populated provinces, East Kalimantan is known for its stunning natural landscapes. The province has a tropical climate with two main seasons: dry and rainy. Its ecosystems are rich in biodiversity. However, illegal logging has caused serious damage to the original forest.
According to the report, the original forest area in East Kalimantan has been reduced to less than half.
East Kalimantan's economy mainly relies on resources such as oil, natural gas and coal. As construction of the new capital progresses, the province's transportation infrastructure development is also accelerating. The government plans to build a new railway network to facilitate the transportation and circulation of resources.
Although East Kalimantan is rich in resources and will soon become the new national capital, the challenges it faces cannot be ignored. The contradiction between maintaining ecological balance and meeting the needs of economic development will be a problem that must be resolved in future development.
Will the future of East Kalimantan be renewed by the establishment of a new capital, or will it face unprecedented challenges?
In this new dawn, we can’t help but wonder, how will East Kalimantan find a balance between history and modernization?