Viral Video Shows Pollution in Cikaniki River, Bogor; Police and Local Government Launch Investigation
Video footage showing the Cikaniki River in Nanggung District, Bogor Regency, contaminated by suspected waste from illegal gold mining has gone viral on social media. Police officers and the Environmental Agency (DLH) are set to inspect the site.
“We will check the location,” said Nanggung Police Chief, AKP Ano Junaedin, when asked for confirmation regarding the viral video on Friday (3_July_2026).
In the viral video, several women are seen fishing along the riverbanks using filtering tools and searching between rocks. One woman successfully caught several small fish, which were reportedly ‘intoxicated’ due to waste from illegal gold processing activities.
Riri Agustina, Head of Environmental Law Enforcement and Hazardous Waste Management at the Bogor Regency Environmental Agency, stated that they have not yet received an official report regarding the alleged pollution in the Cikaniki River. Her department will coordinate with the local government to verify the situation.
“We have only just heard the news. We will first coordinate with the local authorities. Regarding PETI (illegal gold mining), the community can also provide information to law enforcement officers,” said Riri.
Riri noted that the Environmental Agency last conducted testing in 2023, which showed that the Cikaniki River flow was indeed polluted. At that time, water samples were taken near the Kalong Liud Bridge in Nanggung.
“Based on our experience, in late July 2023, we sampled the Cikaniki River water, and the results showed that heavy metal elements, such as cyanide and mercury levels, still met the quality standards for Class II river water under Indonesian Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021,” Riri explained.
“However, the test results from late July 2023 showed that TSS, BOD, COD, nitrite, free chlorine, dissolved copper, and detergents exceeded the quality standards, and waste was found in the Cikaniki River,” she added.
Riri expressed hope that relevant authorities would take action if the pollution is proven to be caused by illegal gold mining. Such action is deemed essential to preserve the river’s environment and ecosystem.
“In principle, my view is that if the suspicion of unauthorised gold processing activities is proven, law enforcement officers should carry out their primary duties and functions,” Riri concluded.