Jambi City (ANTARA) \u2014 The provinces of Jambi and West Sumatra need to\ncollaborate in forging a commitment to curb water pollution in the\nBatanghari River caused by illegal gold mining (known locally as PETI)\nin the upper reaches.<\/p>\n
\u201cA commitment between Jambi and West Sumatra is needed, given that\nthe Batanghari River flows across the administrative boundaries of both\nregions. Jambi cannot work alone,\u201d said Ivan Wirata, Second Deputy\nSpeaker of the Jambi Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD), in Jambi on\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
According to Ivan, collaboration between the two regions is essential\nto reduce mercury contamination from mining activities, as the Sumatra\nRiver Basin Authority (BWSS) responsible for managing the Batanghari\nRiver is currently divided into two jurisdictions. The downstream\nsection in Jambi is managed by BWSS Region VI, whilst the upstream\nsection falls under the authority of BWSS Region V.<\/p>\n
Beyond cracking down on illegal mining in both areas, he said\nstrategic and comprehensive measures based on environmental and economic\nconsiderations are needed to stem the tide of pollution. These include\nreforestation along the riverbanks to prevent erosion and maintain water\nvolume, as well as dredging to clear sediment and increase the river\u2019s\ncapacity.<\/p>\n
Both activities, he said, are necessary to open up opportunities for\noptimising waterway transport routes, including for the shipment of coal\nmining products.<\/p>\n
Additionally, he stressed the importance of organising regular mass\nclean-up campaigns involving community members, the military, police,\nand environmental groups.<\/p>\n
\u201cIllegal mining in the upstream area is the primary cause of rising\nmercury levels and water turbidity. The impact is felt directly by the\nregional water utility (PDAM), where water treatment costs have become\nextremely expensive due to poor raw water conditions. Our PDAM costs are\nalways high because of the turbidity of the Batanghari River,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Previously, Tedjo Sukmono, an academic from Jambi University, urged\nregional governments to draft local regulations establishing green zones\nalong the Batanghari River as a step towards preserving the environment\nagainst the threat of fish habitat extinction.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the mounting pressures on the Batanghari River today from\nvarious issues, there is a need to create a policy involving all\nstakeholders. Because the river is a source of ecosystem life and clean\nwater supply for PDAM,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Tedjo encouraged the government to form a joint consortium involving\nthe BWSS and the Watershed Management Agency (BP-DAS) to reach\nagreements on designating land for vegetation needs as green zones.<\/p>\n
Such a step is considered vital, he said, to preserve the environment\nalong the Batanghari River whilst simultaneously developing habitats\nwithin it.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jambi-and-west-sumatra-must-collaborate-to-protect-batanghari-river-from-pollution-1771482071", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }