Siltation threatens Mrica reservoir

BANJARNEGARA, Central Java: Rapid sedimentation is threatening to bury the multi-purpose Mrica reservoir unless the upstream areas of Serayu and Mrawu rivers are reforested, an official has warned.

An estimated 4.6 million cubic meters of mud settles every year at the bottom of the reservoir, Munadjat, manager of the Mrica hydropower plant, said over the weekend.

Operating since 1988, the reservoir is used to irrigate paddy fields and generate power for Banjarnegara and nearby regencies.

The mud slides down mainly from the Dieng plateau and other denuded areas upstream. There are fears that the sedimentation will not only reduce the reservoir's capacity but also cause flooding.

Unless the upstream areas are reforested, the reservoir's effective lifespan will be only about 20 years of its expected 40 years, Munadjat said.

Aryadi Djaka Pradana, chief of the Banjarnegara environment office, said Dieng plateau has 10,600 hectares of land prone to erosion because only 19 are forested. (wah/03)