Ridwan Kamil Proud Of The Fragrant Citarum Program With Sweet Fruits, Lots Of Fish Appears, Children Start Swimming Again

West Java Governor M Ridwan Kamil during his visit to Jatiluhur Reservoir (Via ANTARA)

BANDUNG - West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil explained the progress of the Citarum Harum Program. One of them is related to the handling of waste which is progressing, which reaches around 2,800 tons per day.

"West Java has experienced a tremendous impact from Citarum, including producing electricity, irrigation, and even Jakarta's water sources, all of which come from Citarum via the Jatiluhur Reservoir," said Ridwan Kamil during his visit to Jatiluhur Reservoir, Purwakarta Regency, Antara, Tuesday, March 15.

The visit to the Jatiluhur Reservoir was carried out with the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. Kang Emil, Ridwan Kamil's nickname, added that almost a third of West Java was heavily affected by the Citarum River.

Kang Emiil also mentioned the Citarum water quality index which is categorized as lightly polluted with a score of 60. This achievement is thanks to the work of all parties, including sector commanders, so that the Citarum water quality index from heavily polluted has become lightly polluted.

The impact of Citarum's water quality progress can be seen in two social phenomena that can be seen from the emergence of activities around the river.

"Two social phenomena occur, the fish that were once lost are returning, and the village children are able to swim again in the improved condition of the river," he said.

Kang Emil also reported 12 activities regarding Citarum Harum that have been continuously pursued, which have been carried out since 2019. From the target of reforesting 15,000 hectares of critical land, to date around 3,100 hectares of critical land have been reforested. "This is the cumulative achievement for 2019-2021," he said.

In addition, Ridwan Kamil also appreciated the assistance from the World Bank to accelerate the Citarum Harum Program. "With the assistance from the World Bank in the amount of 100 million US dollars, it is hoped that, as in Bandung Regency, domestic wastewater management for next year, God willing, can be achieved according to the target," he said.

Kang Emil also explained that the waste management target of 3,000 tons can be managed properly.

"From the target of 3,000 tons so far, the waste handled has reached 2,800 tons per day, only a little more to reach the target, of course with the zero waste program that we continue to improve," he said.

Ridwan Kamil also conveyed that the handling of livestock waste was in accordance with the target.

"In the Presidential Decree of the 26,800 target, we have handled 26,900 head of cattle whose waste can be reached by the system to be managed more sustainably," he said.

He also explained that data management in terms of controlling space utilization has been carried out through the Command Center, which was awarded the Bhumandala Gold Medal for Innovation in Geospatial Information Utilization in 2021, which is related to the use of the One Map Portal in the implementation of the Citarum DAS Citarum PPK Task Force Command Center.

"Digital management is very sophisticated, so it won the Bhumandala Award. So the problem is when the water rises, water quality can be controlled from one room. This is one of our prides in using technology," he said.

In addition, regarding law enforcement, Ridwan Kamil added, in its implementation, it uses a humanist approach and a pro-active performance.

"We tend to be more proactive, for three years so far 204 complaints cases have been followed up. Among them are 34 cases that have gone to court, both civil and criminal, and 17 cases have been subject to administrative sanctions," he said.

Kang Emil also appreciated the 78 educational institutions that joined in providing education to the public about the Citarum Harum Program. "This number is already very far, five times the target, with the addition of 24 communities involved," he said.