Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 11/14/2009 9:19 PM
The government unveiled on Saturday an ambitious plan to restore 11 muddy and poisonous rivers as part of the government’s move to adapt to climate change.
Antung Deddy, assistant deputy minister for river and lake management at the State Minister forEnvironment Office, said the program would be among the top priority of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s administration.
The plan is also aimed to prevent flooding since global warming is likely to instigate heavy rainfalls that would come in short period.
“The government will focus on efforts to upgrade water quality of the country’s biggest rivers so that one day, people can use it including for agriculture sector or as sources of clean water,” Antung said.
The rivers include Ciliwung River in Jakarta, Citarum River in Bandung, Siak River in Riau, Batanghari River in Jambi, Musi River in Palembang, Cisadane River and Citanduy River in Bogor, Bengawan Solo River in East Java and Barito River in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan.
Currently, water in the country’s biggest rivers could not be used because of excessive pollution.
Data from the State Minister for Environment Office showed water quality in the 11 rivers was classified as heavy polluted due to massive chemical wastes from industries, households and agriculture activities.
Antung said the government would also maintain the quantity of water flowing into the river by rehabilitation of forests along the rivers.
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Indonesia's rivers are under stress from pollution, garbage and erosion. (Photo: Bagus Indahono, EPA)
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