The Luck Of The Residents Affected By The Bener Dam, Has Been Bought By The State And Is Still Able To Work On The Land

Ganjar Pranowo (Photo via Central Java Provincial Government)

JAKARTA - The land of 4,000 meters belonging to Khomsatun (45), a resident of Burat, Kepil District, Wonosobo, has indeed become state property. The land has been purchased for the construction of the Bener Dam at a price of Rp. 120,000 per meter. However, Khomsatun is still allowed to manage and use the land along with hundreds of other affected residents.

Khomsatun is one of hundreds of residents affected by the Bener Dam in Burat Village, Kepil District, Wonosobo. In that area, there are 1,010 hectares of land that were acquired and used as a greenbelt for the Bener Dam by the government.

However, residents can still manage the land. The residents formed a cooperative called Tirto Mulyo Bogowonto. The cooperative cooperates with BBWS Serayu Opak in the use of greenbelt land.

The inauguration of the cooperative was carried out in Burat Village, Kepil District, Wonosobo on Saturday 11 June. The Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, was present in person to hand over the cooperative decree to the residents.

"Alhamdulillah, we are very happy. Apart from getting compensation money, we are also still involved in managing this land. So we can still benefit from this land even though it doesn't belong to us anymore," said Khomsatun.

The chairman of the Tirto Mulyo Bogowonto Cooperative, Komarudin said, initially this cooperative was an association that accommodated the aspirations of the people affected by the Bener Dam. After the land acquisition process is complete, the community turns into a cooperative whose members are also affected communities.

"We formed this cooperative as a forum for community involvement in the management of this area. This is also a prerequisite for land acquisition," he said.

This area, he continued, will be used as a greenbelt. Reforestation continues to be carried out by planting a number of fruit trees.

"So later we can manage it. If it is managed by a third party, the community will not feel the benefits. That's why we formed this cooperative so that the community can be involved," he explained.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, appreciated the formation of a cooperative by residents affected by the Bener Dam in Wonosobo. According to him, this is part of the way to deal with the affected communities.

"I thank you, because this pattern can be an example in other areas, so there are good stories from this process," said Ganjar in an official statement from the Central Java Provincial Government.

It doesn't have to be in the form of a cooperative, but community involvement can take any form. The important thing, according to him, is that people can still take advantage of it.

"Whatever the name is, the important thing is that you can use it. We are ready to provide assistance, training and others," he said.

Ganjar hopes that the Tirto Mulyo Bogowonto Cooperative can really provide benefits to the community. He asked that management be carried out professionally and involve many parties.

"Cooperation with BBWS must be detailed. This is not a story of pity, but involved professionally. They manage this greenbelt area, prepare a professional management design, involve universities to become what they want. Is it a tourist destination with a variety of derivative products. We are ready to help, " he concluded.