Bogor Regency Makes Upper Ciliwung Area a Priority for Environmental Movement
The Bogor Regency Government in West Java has designated the Upper Ciliwung area as a priority for environmental movements through various conservation actions held at Telaga Saat, coinciding with World Environment Day and the 544th anniversary of Bogor.
The Regional Secretary of Bogor Regency, Ajat Rochmat Jatnika, stated that the regency plays a strategic role as both upstream and downstream areas within a single eco-region, meaning environmental preservation efforts must be comprehensive.
“So far, we have taken steps to protect the downstream areas. When we address the downstream, we must also address the upstream. Currently, the Regent wishes to focus on the upstream region, because our source of life originates from there,” Ajast said at Telaga Saat, Bogor Regency, on Friday.
Consequently, the Bogor Regency Government is striving to maintain environmental quality in the area through various conservation activities, ranging from the distribution of eco-enzymes to improve water quality, tree planting, and the release of wildlife and fish species tailored to the local habitat.
Ajat explained that the fish released during the activity were selected based on their suitability to the aquatic ecosystem in the upstream area to support environmental sustainability while providing economic benefits to the local community.
In addition to protecting water resources, the Bogor Regency Government is also planting ‘pule air’ trees as an effort to strengthen soil conservation functions and maintain environmental balance in the upstream area.
“We want the community to see directly that protecting the environment is a process. Therefore, we are taking steps that provide benefits that can be felt and understood by the public,” he added.
During the ‘Budaya Ngalokat Cai’ event, the Bogor Regency Government released 5,444 local fish, 544 birds, distributed eco-enzymes into the waters, created biopores, and officially inaugurated the Eco-Friendly Village Forum (Forum Kampung Ramah Lingkungan - KRL).
Ajat noted that the Eco-Friendly Village Forum is expected to serve as the frontline in managing various environmental issues, ranging from waste and effluents to water resources and ecosystem preservation at the community level.
According to him, the success of protecting the upstream area cannot be achieved by the government alone, but requires the involvement of the community, organisations, business actors, academics, and the mass media.
“Environmental preservation cannot be done in isolation. All parties must move together to ensure the upstream area remains protected, because this is where the source of life originates,” he concluded.