Ministry of Environment Still Examining Pesticide Deposits in Cisadane River

Jakarta — The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLH) is continuing to examine pesticide deposits in the Cisadane River and has requested that the public temporarily refrain from consuming fish from the contaminated areas.

“We have not yet declared the pesticide deposit problem resolved. This is our second sampling round, planned for early in the month. As we have stated, we will check the sedimentation once a month to determine whether there are still pesticide residues remaining there,” said Environment Minister and Head of the Environmental Control Agency (BPLH) Hanif Faisol Nurofiq in Jakarta on Monday evening.

He noted that pesticides may still be present in the Cisadane River sediment, though officials cannot yet confirm whether the concentrations remain at dangerous levels.

To this end, sample collection will continue at several locations to ensure that no pesticide content at dangerous levels remains.

In light of this, he has urged the public to temporarily avoid consuming fish from the contaminated areas.

“My recommendation would be to source fish from elsewhere,” said Hanif.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry identified contamination from a pesticide liquid that flowed into the Jeletreng River and subsequently into the Cisadane River, affecting an area of approximately 22.5 kilometres spanning South Tangerang City, Tangerang City, and Tangerang Regency.

The liquid leaked into the water body following a fire at a warehouse belonging to PT Biotek Saranatama in early February.