BPBD Urges Residents Not To Approach Tangerang's Cirarab River

Tangerang BPBD officers comb the Cirarab river/ Photo: Antara

BANTEN - Officers from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Tangerang Regency, Banten Province together with the Jakarta Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) checked the location of the appearance of three crocodiles in the Cirarab River after being reported by local residents.

The Mauk Fire Department (Damkar) Commander Husni in Tangerang, Friday, February 11, explained that as a form of community service, his party responded quickly by deploying personnel from the Mauk Post, Pakuhaji, as well as a rubber boat unit and assisted by 4 trained personnel. reptile specialist from RKW BKSDA Jakarta.

"So that residents don't worry, we immediately comb the location where the crocodile first appeared and the one that had eaten the residents' livestock," said Husni, quoting Antara, Friday, February 11.

He added that in addition to conducting a search, his party also gave an appeal to the public not to approach the riverbank because it was feared that crocodiles in the river could pounce immediately.

"It's a little difficult for the crocodile to appear, because residents have gathered near the river from this morning, but we are still trying to find it," said Husni.

Meanwhile, Head of West Jakarta BKSDA RKW Wawan Gunawan said that after hearing several witness statements in the field, his party concluded that the Cirarab River was the habitat of crocodiles that had appeared and shocked residents.

"It seems that the Cirarab River has been where crocodiles have been for a long time. But if we catch them later, we will take them and place them in habitats far from settlements," he said.

Meanwhile, the Village Secretary (Sekdes) Pekayon, Matin explained that based on reports from residents there were livestock belonging to residents such as goats and chickens which some time ago were attacked and eaten by crocodiles that appeared in the Cirarab River.

"Pak Jaro's goats and several chickens have been attacked by crocodiles, so residents feel threatened," he said.