PETI Activities In Hulu Sungai Kapuas Damage The Environment

Kapuas Hulu Regent Fransiskus Diaan. (ANTARA/Teofilusianto Timothy)

The Regent of Kapuas Hulu, Fransiskus Diaan, reminded that gold mining activities without a permit (PETI) upstream of the Kapuas River in the Kapuas Hulu area, West Kalimantan, threaten environmental damage in the area. "The Kapuas River Hulu is a national park area, don't be damaged by such activities, because it damages the environment," said Fransiskus Diaan in Putussibau Kapuas Hulu, as reported by Antara, Tuesday, October 24. The public must understand that if there is environmental pollution due to gold mining upstream of the Kapuas River, it will be affected by all people downstream of the river. According to him, the people of Putussibau City and its surroundings consume Kapuas River water. However, if the river water is polluted because illegal gold mining activities upstream of the river will have an impact on the wider community. Fransiskus said, the upstream area of the Kapuas river in the South Putussibau District as a large area is a national park area that must be preserved. Therefore, he asked the public not to activate illegal gold mining in the upstream area of the Kapuas River. Regarding gold mining in the Kapuas Hulu area, the local government has tried to facilitate and propose around 30 to 40 hectares of the people's mining area (WPR). From this proposal, only Beringin Village, Bunut Hulu District, has issued a people's mining permit (IPR). "For Beringin Village, it has signed a cooperation between cooperatives and the company in managing gold mines with an environmentally friendly concept," he explained. He hopes that Beringin Village will serve as a model in obtaining permits so that people can work calmly without violating the law while maintaining environmental sustainability.

"There are several sub-districts that we propose WPR and are still in the process of issuing IPR," said Fransiskus.