Air Quality and Environmental Health in Bogor: My Lungs Are Questioning My Life Choices
okay, so. bogor. right? i’m elara, and i’m a botanist. which, you know, should make me all about this place. lush, volcanic soil, tons of endemic plants… it sounds amazing. and parts of it are. but let’s just say my sinuses aren’t thrilled.
it’s been… weird. the weather’s been this oppressive, humid blanket lately. like someone wrapped the whole city in a damp towel. you can practically taste the moisture. and the air… it’s not always bad, but there are days. days where you feel like you’re breathing through cotton wool. i’ve been tracking the air quality index (AQI) - yeah, i’m that person - and it fluctuates. sometimes it’s okay, like a respectable 60. other times? oof. pushing 120. that’s unhealthy for everyone, right?
so, i started digging. because, botanist. gotta know what’s killing my plants and my lungs. apparently, Bogor’s got a bit of a problem with industrial emissions and vehicle pollution. not exactly a shocker for a city of over a million people, but still. the data’s out there. you can find some decent reports on the Indonesian Ministry of Environment website (though navigating that is a whole other adventure).
rent’s surprisingly reasonable, though. i’m paying about 3.5 million rupiah a month for a decent little place near Kebun Raya Bogor. that’s like, $230 USD. seriously. you can find cheaper, of course, but that gets you a place with actual walls and a functioning shower. the job market for botanists isn’t exactly booming, though. i’m mostly freelancing, doing plant surveys and consulting for local nurseries. it’s… precarious. i heard from a guy at the coffee shop (more on that later) that the average salary for a skilled worker is around 4-5 million rupiah. but that’s skilled. i’m still proving my worth, apparently.
*Puncak's hills are a short drive away, which is nice for a quick escape. but even up there, you can smell the haze on bad days. it’s… depressing. i saw a post on the Bogor subreddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/Bogor/) complaining about the same thing. people are sharing tips on air purifiers and face masks. it’s not exactly a thriving community, but it’s a place to vent, i guess.
Ciliung river… don’t even get me started. i did a water quality test there last week. let’s just say i’m not drinking the water. i saw a review on TripAdvisor (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g612323-Activities-Bogor_West_Java_Province.html) that mentioned the river used to be cleaner. sad.
okay, overheard gossip time. i was at Kopi Oey (https://www.yelp.com/biz/kopi-oey-bogor) - seriously, go. best coffee in the city, hands down - and i overheard two guys talking. one was saying, “the government keeps promising to do something about the pollution, but it’s always the same. promises, promises.” the other just shrugged and said, “what are they gonna do? shut down the factories?” bleak, right?
and then there was the warning from the old woman selling flowers near the train station. she told me, “be careful breathing the air, mbak. it’s not good for the lungs. especially for someone like you, studying plants. you need healthy lungs to understand them.” she was right, of course. she always is.
Taman Kencana park is a decent spot to try and get some fresh air, but even there, you can feel the grit in your throat. i’m considering investing in a really good air purifier. maybe a few. i’ve been browsing Lazada (https://www.lazada.com.id/) for options.
look, bogor has so much potential. the people are lovely, the food is amazing (seriously, try the nasi timbel), and the scenery is stunning when the air is clear. but the air quality… it’s a real issue. i’m hoping things improve. i really am. because i don’t want to have to move just because my lungs are staging a revolt. i’m also looking into joining a local environmental group. maybe i can actually do* something about it, instead of just complaining on a blog.
and one last thing: if you’re planning a trip, check the AQI before you go. your lungs will thank you.
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